The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1885-04-15
A Word Saved Her.

One gloomy, rainy Sunday there APP
peared in the imposing Fairbush Ave-
nue. church, with it's throng of richly
clothed worshipers, a very plainly
dressed young woman "a stranger.
Everything about her, from her hat
to the wrap and shoes, had cheap outre
look, just escaping the shabby. Her
face was not intelligent or winning,
and though not repulsive, would have
been termed decidedly common.
"A servant-girll" the dapper young
sexton, with his faultlessly fitting kids
and button-hole bouquet, rightly sur
missed, as he took her measure; and
he seated her accordingly.
After service the shrinking girl fol-
lowed the crowd into the Sunday school
room, without receiving either atten-
ton or invitation. Here, she was
placed in young Deacon Baltis' class,
mostly composed of young married peo-
ple-quite well-to-do-all leading men,
bers of the church in regard to soci-
ables, picnics, etc., and they also were
Jealous for the heather and home mis-
sions; but it was evident from the
chilling glance they gave this poor girl
that they preferred to handle the COM
mon, vulgar people with gloved hands,
and at safe distance.
Another stranger was also placed in
Deacon Baltis' class on this Sunday.
Though the woman's face was rather
pretty, it had no more culture to attract
than the other, but she was most hand
somely dressed, and her reception was
very cordial. During the week she was
called upon by the teacher and nearly
every member of the class, and made
to feel very much at home.
But it was not so with Miss Lamson.
Sunday after Sunday passed without
the faithful girl receiving more than a
frigid bow.
" l am going to tell the superintend-
ent he needs to use little more dis
erection in making up classesP' whis-
pered Mrs. ingalls, to Mrs. Berry, as
she winked scornfully at the girl.
DO you know her name?" seriously
inquired Mrs. Berry.
"No! but she's nothing but COM
mon servant"
Nothing but common servantn
How the careless words kept ringing in
Mrs. Berry's ears all through the les
son! Nothing but common servantW
yet she had soul--a life to train for
good or i'll. She might be an entire
stranger in the city and seriously in
need of friend.
These and many similar thoughts so
wrought upon Mrs. Berry's awakened
conscience that after class she reached
out her hand most cordially to the af-
frighted girl, and, with smile of Chris
cd hap har oh
Il work in the restaurant at 456
Waterbury street," was the straightfor-
ward reply.
d" Are you a stranger?" bravely con-
tinued Mrs. Berry, Notwithstanding the
fact that some of the class were in glee
over the matter.
"Yes'm; rs been here five weeks in
ALL | come from Olcot; was a men,
Der of the church there"
" Have you brought your letter to us?7'
"No, ma am; didn't know how long
I'd stay, and-you don't seem just like
our folks, someway," said the poor girl,
tear glistening in her eye.
You mean we are not friendly"
said Mrs. Berry, the color tinging her
delicate complexion.
Not very" was the timid reply.
We are not at all )" was the earnest
reioinder. " l will not make the eX-
cuse, so often made, that we are large
church, for if our hearts We're filled with
the spirit of Christ, there would be no
stranger like yourself coming here week
after week with no one to inquire after
them. | am ashamed of myselfp'
4" I'd like to have you call on me"
said the girl, doubtless utterly uncon-
scious of the gross improperly of ask
ing bankers wife to call upon the dish
washer in a restaurant.
"Thank you,' was all Mrs. Berry
had the courage to reply to this; but
the whole affair kept Juggling at her
heart, and she could obtain no rest until
she had resolved to treat this member
of the class with the same Christian
civility she had other strangers who had
entered it.
During the week she called. She met
the girl in the general reception-room,
and had quiet and not wholly uninter-
esting chat with her. As she rose to
go, she gave her hand a warm grasp
and asked her to return the call.
"Ohl you can't know how glad l is
you calledl' said poor Katy, with a
burst of suppressed emotion. " l didn't
think you would, and rs been so lonely
! since come here. I've wished I's dead ~