Connecticut western news., 1885-01-07

PEPPERTowN, Dec 20.-The near ap- proach of Christmas calls to mind the cunous experience in this village on Christmas Eve one year ago of the late Rev. Eleazer Crawford. Many of the facts concerning this experience are pub lie property, while others, which were told to the writer by the Rev. Mfr. Craw- ford's widow, just previous to her death, Oct. 25 last, are now made known for the first time. The single church in this village was tho first and only charge Mir. Crawford ever had. He entered the ministry when nearly 40 years old, after an unsuccessful business career. His inexperience was impressed upon him when Trustees Lemuel Carter Johnson Higbee and Amos Jackson called upon him in his dingy home in West Twentieth street, New York, and engaged him. fWe will give you $55O g year and donation" said Trustee Higbee. 'sand if ron make a go of preaching and we like you, why maybe we will give you more next year"
 The Rev. Mir. Crawford was anxious to enter upon the work he had chosen and accepted the offer. He was kindly and good, and thought that he ard his cheery English wife could live with their three children on that salary. They knew netIIng of country life, and MT. Crawford's idea of donation extended so far only that he knew what the word meant in the abstract.
 They came here in June, 1883, and gradually grew into the favor and good will of the 1900 people who make tht village their home. They lived, O course, in the parsonage, which is con sidered a very comfortable house There is no well and no cistern. Drink ing water has to be carried from a vel in the yard of Joe Long, the salool keeper, who lives next door, and rail water is caught in tubs and barrels SC under the ends of the wooden cave troaghs. The woodshed is in the req of the parsonage some ten feet, am there is no barn. MT. Crawford kep neither horse nor COW and needed n barn. Accustomed as they had been t city conveniences, they found the wor inseparable from housekeeping yer hard, but they bore that, as they di most troubles, patiently and withou murmuring.
 It was at the November meeting of th Trustees that the question of the doni ton came up, and Christmas Eve was st lected as the time. After the evenin service the next Sunday, Trustee Carte took the Pastor one side and told hil about the donation.
 ''You've done pretty well, consider ing" said Trustee Garter, as he worke his arms into his heavy overcoat an drew it up over his shoulders, "and " are going to give you first class donf ton party"
 "Yes," said the Pastor, tentatively Mir. Crawford liked his Trustees, bu they were different from the men he ha been accustomed to, and there WE never the good-fellowship between theI and the minister that existed betwee the Trustees themselves and their fellow members in the church.
 ..I don't suppose" continued Truste Garter, "that you ever saw donation 2
 "I never did, said Mir. Crawford, wit aittle laugh.
 "And don't know anything about ho they're run?"
 tsNo, not much" answered the minit ter, flushing little and looking as if b thought he ought to know just what donation party was.
 "Oh, we'll, you'll know all abou those things when you've been longer the business, said Trustee Carter, goot naturedly. "You see, ministers have live like everybody else, though th Bible does say Take no thought ft your meat If minister doesn't hay things he has got to buy them like oth, folks. Now, we mostly raise all sorts stuff, you know, and once year we gi, to our minister lot of vegetables al things of that sort that he'd have to br otherwise. It's just the same as [ much more salary. only it's easier for and just as good for him."
 "Why, should think that was an @ cellent plan," said Mir. Crawford, with good deal of interest. "It must"
 "Yes. it's tip-top plan," said u Trustee. "You see, we'll all come
 your house in the evening-it will Christmas Eve this year-and we bring this stuH and leave it and al