St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1885-07-09
A Word Saved Her.

Everything about her, from her hat TO
the wrap and shoes, had a cheap, OHtre
look, just escaping the shabby. Her
face was not intelligent OF winning,
and though not repulsive. would have
been termed decidedly common.
"A servant girl ~ the dapper Young
sexton, with his faultlessly- fitting kids
and buttonhole bouquet, rightly sur
missed, AZ lac 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
attention or invitation. Here she was
placed In young Deacon Baltis' class,
mostly composed Of young married peO-
pie quite weli-to-dO - all leading
members of the church in regard TO so
ciables, picnics, etc, aud they also
were Jealous for the heathen and home
missions but it was evident from the
chilling glance they gave this poor girl
that they preferred To handle the com
mon, vulgar people with giOved hands,
and ut II safe distance. ..
Another stranger, was also placed
in Deacon Baths class on this Sunday.
Though the womau's face was rather
pretty, il had no more culture to at
tract than the other, but she was most
handsomely dressed, and her reception
was very cordial. During the week
she was called upon by the teacher
aud 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
frigid bow.
- am going to tell the superintend
ent he needs to use little more dis
erection in making up classes!' whls-
pered Mrs. Ingalls, to Mrs. Berry, as
she winked scornfully at the girl.
ADO Won know her name ~ seriously
inquired Mrs. Berry.
"No, but she's nothing but com
mon servant
Nothing bnt a common servant -
How the careless words kept ringing
in Mrs. Berry, ears all through the
lesson Nothing but n common ser
want - yet she had souI--a life to
train for good or i'll. She might he an
entire stranger in the city and serious
~ in need of a 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 at
frighted girl, and, with IA smile Of
Christian greeting, asked her where
she lived.
II work in the restaurant at 456
Waterbury street." was the straight
forward reply.
.Are YOU stranger ?" bravely con
timed Mrs. Berry, notwithstanding
the fact that some of the class was III
glee over the matter.
'.Yes'm Use been here five weeks
in all. come from OlcOt; / was
member of the church there"
"Have you brought your letter to
us ?"
''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, a tear glisteniDg in her eye.
"You mean we are not friendly !"
said Mrs. Berry, the color tinging her
delicate complexion.
'NOt very" was the timid reply.
1--WE are not at ALL" was the earnest
rejOinder. 81 will not make the ex
cuse, so often made, that we are
large church, for if our hearts were fill
ed with the spirit of Christ, there
would be no stranger coming here
week after week with no one to inquire
after them. am ashamed of myself"
''rd like to have you call on me"
said the girl, doubtless utterly uncOn
sciOus of the gross improperly of ask
ing "A bankers wife to call upOn the
dishwasher 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 not obtain rest
until she had resolved to treat this
member of the class with the same
Christian civility she had other strang
ers who had entered it.
During the week she called. She
met the girl in the general reception
room, and had quiet and not wholly
uninteresting chat with her. AS she
rose to go, she gave her hand n warm
grasp and asked her to return the call.
''Oh you can't know how glad is
you called ~ said poor Katy, with
burst of suppressed emotion. 81 didn't
think You would, and rs been so lone
ly since | come here, Eve wished rs
dead ~
After these heartfelt words of Joy
could Mrs. Berry be sorry that she had
SO bravely met this duty of Christian
courtesy. though to "nOthing but
common servant 2" No, indeed and
in the course of few weeks her cause
for gratitude was to he still deeper.
1t was some time before Katy found
leisure to return her new friends call.
And as she walked down the beautiful
avenue in search of 81, she was sure
she could never euter one of those ele-
CANT houses.
Presently she saw that sign of the
scOurge. the yellow flag, over one of
the handsomely-ca door ways 1t
was 81 For the moment she stood
terrOr-stricken, and then anxiOusly
rushed down the street.
Cant you see that, miss 7" angrily
demanded the policeman set to quar-
antine the premises. as lie mOtiOned
her back and pointed to the dread en-
blem.
eyes, sir but rs had the smallpox,
and | must 90 in and help Mrs. Berry.
She's my friend"
Just then the doctor came out of the
stricken house, aud Katy began plead
ing with him.
Don't she need some one9 Most
folks does as has that :"
''Why, yes they are sadly in need
of help" replied the doctor, deeply inn
pressed with the girls manner; ''and
if yon will wait | will consult Mrs.
Berry about You"
Tell her it's Katy Lamson, as works
in the restaurant at 456 Waterbury
street, and that Is had itlo
Oh what a fearful, grateful well
come the brave girl received when that
evening size entered the dread precinct
Mr., Berry and the only child, Bes-
sic, were at deaths door, aud Mrs Ber-
" would soon fall victim, and their