Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1885-06-27
SELECTIONS.
JUDGED:BY HER CLOTHES.

|
plainly dressed in black bombazine
that had seen much careful wear,
aud her bonnet was very old.faslion-
ed, and people stared at her totter
ing up the aisle of the grand church,
evidently bent on securing one of
the best seats, for great man was
preaching on that day, and the house
was filed with splendid dressed PEG.
pie who had heard of the fame of the
preacher, of his great learning, of his
intellect and goodness, and wonder
ed at the presumption of the old wo.
man. She must be In her dotage,
for she picked out the pew of the
richest and prOudest member of the
church and took Il seat. The three
ladies who where seated there beck
oned to the sexton, who bent over to
the intruder and whispered some.
thing, but she was hard of hearing,
aud smiled a little withered smile, as
she said gently:
ooh I'm quite comfortable here,
quite comfortable here"
"But You are not wanted" said
the sexton, pompously. "There is
not room. Come with me. good wo-
man; l will see that you have a
seat"
"Not room ~ said the old woman,
looking at her sunken proportions
and from them at the fine ladies. 81
rode ten miles to hear the sermon to-
day, because ="
The sexton took her by the arm,
and took it in a polite, under way,
and she hook the hint. Her faded
old eyes filed with tears, her chin
quivered, but she arose meekly, and
left the pew. Turning quickly to
the ladies, who were spreading their
rich dresses over the spot she left
vacant, she said gently:
II hope, my dears, there'll be room
in heaven for us ALL"
Then she followed the pompous
sexton to the rear of the church,
were in the last pew, she was seated
beside threadbare girl and shah
by old man.
"She must be crazy" said one of
the ladies in the pew which she had
at first occupied. What can an
ignorant old woman like he want to
hear Dr.--preach for. She
would not be able to understand a
word he said. Those people are so
persistent. The idea Of forcing her
self in our pew Isn't that voluntary
loyelyf There's DIR. - coming
out of the vestry. Isn't he grand I"
"Splendid! What a stately man
You know he has promised to dine
with us while he is here"
He was commanding looking
man, and as soon as the organ volun.
tary stopped and he looked over the
vast crowd of worshippers gathered
in the great church, her seemed to
scan every face. His hand on the
Bible, when suddenly he leaned over
the reading desk and beckoned to
the sexton, who obsequiously mount.
ed the steps to receive a mysterious
message. And then the ladies in
the grand pew were electrified to see
him take his way the whole length of
the church, to return with the old
woman whom he placed in the front
pew Of all, it's occupants making will
ing room for her. The great preach.
or looked ut her with smile of rec.
ognition, and then the services pro.
ceeded, and he preached sermon
which struck fire from every heart.
"Who was she I" asked the ladies
who could not make room for her, as
they passed the sexton at the door.
"The preachers MOTHER" replied
the funetionary in an injured tone.
How few remember that awhile
man looketh on the outward appear
| l. L l. L 4