St. Landry democrat., 1885-07-04
MISS WINCHESTER
The Minister'S Mistake, and It's
Happy Results.

It was a very lovely Sabbath, q per-
feet summer day, and as Miss Win
chester lett her carriage and walked
slowly under the graceful elms shading
the church-yard she found herself soft
" repeating old Herbert's lines:
Sweet day, so cool so calm, so bright,
The bridal of the earth and sky"
The majority of the congregation
turning toward Cloverville Church were
not ready to call the July day cool by
any means. But, then, the hurried
housewives and mothers. the fathers,
young men and maidens, had not simp-
" donned fresh and elegant summer
toilet, and bowled along in an easy,
open carriage, as had Miss Winchester,
of '.Evergreens. +"
She sat in her pew alone; she always
did. The church must be very crowd
ed, indeed, ere any one ventured into
Miss Winchester pew. The tall, hand
some lady could never be called rude.
Oh, no. But whatever belonged to Miss
Winchester must belong to herself only.
She would willingly have paid pew rent
for all of Deacon Wills six children
rather than share her seat with any one
of them. Joint ownership in property
of any kind was not to Miss Winches-
ter's mind, and, during the forty-odd
years she had lived at EYergreens, as
child, maiden and now sole mistress,
Cloyerville people had come to under
stand her ways pretty thoroughly.
- must beg to detain the congrega-
ton a few moments" said the pastor,
after the last prayer.
Miss Winchester looked uneasily
through the open window nearher. She
was wondering how her spirited ponies
were standing, and making mental
verdict that John was sure to be asleep.
But what was Mr.. Dale saying and SO
earnestly?
Il have received letters from some of
the managers Of the Children's Fresh
Air Society, inquiring if this village
will open its hearts and homes and
entertain for week or two some of the
little ones pining for country air and
food Some of you, my dear people, "
said Mr.. Dale, warming as he proceeded,
.swould esteem it a high and precious
privilege if, for only one short week,
the Master might personally enter your
homes and sit at your tables. How
would you hasten to bring all that is
best within your means for His service!
You would keep back no box Of ONT
ment, however costly. And. behold,
He does come! In this cup of water to
these little ones he bids you give it as
unto Him. Reveive these-perhaps
some of tie least of His-as guests in
Jesus stead. =
MIR. Dale paused and pronounced the
benediction.
There was Just the faintest perceptible
shadow of vexation on Miss Henrietta
Winchester's face; she made the least
possible motion, a very lady-like
motion, of her grenadine- clad shoulders.
For Miss Winchester was annoyed. She
was detained just ten minutes beyond
the usual time of her leaving church.
She had no sympathy for the object of
the pastors plea, and she disliked to
have things or ideas come upon her
suddenly, and on Sunday of all times.
II Mr.. Dale had but spoken to her
alone, az Miss Winchester, of Ever
greens, not simply as one of his ''dear
people, Z she might possibly have con-
sidered the proposed entertainment.
But at present, as she passed out OF her
pew, she had not the slightest idea OF
receiving any one of the children, SO
tenderly appealed for, within the aristo-
cratic shades of Evergreens. There had
been no Fresh Air children in her
childhood and youth, and she felt it
really personal grievance that such
innovation upon established customs
should spring up in her middleage, and
knock, as it were. at her very doors.
Yet as Mr.. Dale passed out of the little
throne surrounding and questioning