Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1885-06-24
WAS SHE FRIVOLOUS?
BY CULVER.

The Rev. Mr.. Shaw contrasted great
ly with his surroundings-his spotless
cloth fitting so well his strong, manly
figure; his clear cut Grecian features,
and dark wavy hair thrown back with
careless grace from his smooth brow.
He was visiting one of those
wretched tenement houses used by the
very poor, and before him was a. for
lOrn group.
A widow who had just buried her
husband; she had five helpless chill
dren-the eldest six, the youngest q
nursing baby, and a pair of twins
among them. The rags, and, worse
than all, the dirt of poverty every
where apparent.
An expression of almost sublime
pity rested on the countenance Of the
minister.
The woman, with her apron thrown
over her head, rocked herself to and
fro, and walled forth her troubles.
q don't know what I'm a-goin' to
do for myself and the little 'uns.
Though my old man would have his
drink, he didn't beat us, and brought
enough to Us to keep body and soul
together, but now [ know we can't do
nothln' but starve and die"
''Have you no friends ?" asked Mr..
Shaw IN low tone.
"Some, but as bad or wus off than
us. Yes" she said, looking up with
grateful bright expression, ''there is
one-Lord bless her who has done
a lot for me-Miss Mehitable Sanks.
She sent medicine and the doctor
to the old man, and guv' me clothes
and suthin' to eat; and many's
the man, woman and child that blesses
her for takin' care of EN- Why, sir,
she even leaves little cards with stamps
on EN-, and Job Potter, who can
write, sends 'em to her when we are in
q very bad state"
After assuring her of his sympathy.
and that he would do what he could
for her, the minister wendell his way
home. AS he thought of. those to
whom he might appeal, a vision of a
sweet bright face haunted him, but
while helingered over the thought most
tenderly, there was a shadow on his
brow as II there was some slight lar
that marred the harmony of his
thoughts.
Ill tJA1cVN wa 1OCUOI vi Ou0 Ol UI0
wealthy churches in the city, and Ma
Belle Lee was one Of his parishioners.
Her face was Madonna-like in it's ten
der curves and beauty, the large blue
eyes with just a tinge of sadness, the
perfect curve Of the red lips, a
faultless complexion, and blonde hair
that was like halo of light round the
graceful head. But ah, when she
talked it was like damper, mist on
a beautiful picture, marring the tints
that otherwise would have been per-
feet.
Bright and witty, but butterfly;
such a devotee of society that one
lOnged for the expression of q single
serious thought that could leaven into
something like common sense this per-
soniication of frivolity With it all,
however, she was lovely and lovable
to everyone, and Mr.. Shaw had long
struggled against an interest in her,
the indulgence of which he felt, would
be fatal to his future happiness and
usefulness.
Absorbed in these thoughts he found
himself in front of Mr.. Lees house,
and, obeying an impulse, he turned in
As Miss Lee entered the parlor he
thought he had seldom seen fairer
vision, and was vexed to feel his heart
throb more quickly, and thrill with a
pleasure that he felt must be con-
trolled. She greeted him with that
easy grace which was one of her prin-
Cipal charms.
''Ah, Mr.. Shaw! [ am so glad to
see you! have had real spell of en-
nui this morning. The last novel is
wretched, as both hero and heroine
die in the most provoking way, all be-
cause of some over-strained idea of
duty, and l was just wishing that
some one would come in and I could
have q cheerful little chat to dispel
the gloomy impression"
"Then Pm afraid" smilingly, "you
will not like your present visitor.
have not come in a very cheerful
humor; and, besides, wish to ask a
favor"
"A favorl That is too lovely. Con-
slider it granted, even to the half OF
my kingdom. [ am truly glad that
you wish to ask favor of me, be-
cause [ did not think your opinion of
me was sufficiently good for such a
thing Do you know" with a sudden
droop of the eyes, "that you always
make me feel AS if | am doing some
thing wrong?"
''Do [? Well, l shall give you a
golden opportunity now to redeem
yourself. [ have just been visiting
some of those wretchedly poor fami-
lies IN - Street, and [ would like so
much if you could interest some la
dies in their behalf-visit them and
relieve them"
A look of CONSERVATION overspread
her pretty face as she exclaimed:
ooh, indeed, you don't mean for me
to go there? How could / ever stand
it? I can't bear such places! Ask
me almost anything else. The dread