Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1885-11-11
The VILLAGE DREsSMAKER.

Locust Hollow, as the pretty village
was called, was regarded as quite an
event by the congregation. A new.
minister is always an object OF interest
to his peoplefor a month or two; then
the interest flags, and finally he is &C
cepted as a matter of course, and
generally to his delights no longer
fused over.
But this particular divine seemed
likely to keep speculation going for a
longer period than the customary nine
days, and, being a somewhat humOr-
Gus fellow. he thoroughly enjoyed it.
For the Rev. Jerome Grant was un-
married-warranted by the gossips to
have no ady-love-young, handsome,
and possessed of a. private income,
which made salary a secondary con-
sideration.
Now, in Locust Hollow there were q
number of very plump and pretty
girls, with few slim graceful damsels;
but the plump ones out-numbered
the slim, as always is the case in coun-
try villages, with their fresh air,
healthy diet and regular hours.
Among the very plumpest OF the
village maidens was Gussie Elliston;
and Miss Gussie's blue eyes and red
and-white complexion seemed to have
found favor in the eyes of Mr.. Grant,
for he speedily placed himself on
familiar footing at the long low farm
house, where he met with very warm
greetings from the farmer and his wife,
and dimpling smiles and shy bushes
from their daughter.
Among the very slimest and palest
of those who listened to the young
minister Sunday after Sunday, was
Louise, the daughter Of helpless
widow, who lived a little out of the
village, and who had therefore escaped
the knowledge of Jerome for some
time.
Perhaps Louise's cheeks would have
had more color in them, and her eyes
less Of that wistful tenderness, did not
the burden of her own and her invalid
mothers support fall on her slight
young shoulders.
But day after day-on cold, dark
days, when winds swept weirdly by the
little cottage-on warm, wOOing days
when her pulses throbbed with longing
to be out among the violets-she sat
quietly at the little window, her brown
head bent over the sewing in her hands,
the garments to be worn by more
fortunate ones than herself, which she
fashioned.
Jerome had noticed the girls sweet
patient face, and wondered why he
only saw it on Sunday-wondered how
it was hehad never seen 1t IN the many
homes that had been opened for him
to enter as a welcome guest.
- Il IL
enough like violets to make him speed
lily forget the wistful brown ones, and
it was not until he had been installed
at Locust Hollow for three months,
and had begun to think that Gussie
Elliston would make a very sweet min
ister's wife, that accident brought him
to the door of the cottage which the
Widow Vennevale and her daughter
occupied.
1t was warm; the young man was
warm, too, and tired from q long ram,
BILE; he was thirsty, as well; and so,
after hesitating few moments,
knocked lightly on the open door, in
tending to ask for q glass of water.
His knock had not been heard evil
IDENTIFY, for nobody replied to it; and
while he waited a low murmuring voice
reached him from within.
81 did my best, MOTHER" girlish
tones answered YEARLY, ':and I
thought it very nice. [ often wonder
how people can say such harsh and
cruel words to me, when try SO hard
to please them. Mother-my poor
mother-it is very hard to be poor:
to be a woman and poOr-there is
nothing harder in this whole wide
world ~
The sweet voice had taken more
than WEAKNESS on it's music. 1t be
came passionate and bitter, and ended
in a. burst of sobs.
The young man was profoundly
touched, but he lifted his hand once
more, and knocked more loudly.
This time he was heard, and q light
but languid step crossed toward the
door.
In a. moment Louise Vennevale
with undried tears on her long lashes,
was looking at him with wondering
eyes, brown as hazelnuts.
He held out his shapely hand.
"You are one of my people, are you
not ?" he questioned, with smile.
''I have not called before, but you
will pardon that, and bid me enter
now, will You not 2"
Certainly"
And she led him into the tiny room,
where Mrs. Vennevale lay on the sofa.
Mamma" she said quietly, "this
is Mr.. Grant. He has come to see
you"
And, greatly to the young mans dis
appointment, after placing a chair
for him beside the sofa, she glided out,
slight and graceful as a spirit.
He remained almost an hour con.
versing with the invalid. He heard
the pit1ful story-too sadly frequent
for men to mind It much to-day, in
their busy selfish lives; the struggle to
purchase a little home for wife and
In linz II 70