The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1885-09-02

frame of mind to be in, assure you,
and L would advise you to adopt it"
Just then, much to their surprise, in
came Mrs. Adams and took seat at a
table opposite. She appeared like a
stranger among strangers. She ordered
her luncheon and then opened maya
zine to read.
Now is your opportunity" said Mrs.
Sumner, in an undertone. "Go and
speak to Mrs. Adams, and introduce
yourself. am sure you will discover
that you have misjudged her, for she
has lovely face"
Mrs. Clark hesitated. She had, how
ever, been influenced by all that her
friend had said, and, although she had
to bottle pride, she rose aftera moment,
stepped across the aisle and said, ex-
tending her hand:
GOOD morning, Mrs. Adams. You
do not recognize me, perhaps; Mrs.
Clark"
AS she spoke her name, the some
what blank look on Mrs. Adams face
gave place to an intelligent smile, as
she said: go certainly, l recall you
now. We had a few words in the YES
Thule last Sunday. Twas sorry to have
missed your call on Monday Are you
quite well? Pardon me for not recog-
nizing you at first. / am somewhat
near-sighted, and then, too, it does take
a long time for one to learn so many
new faces. / am so glad you made
yourself known to mel / fear / shall
hurt the feelings of some before | be-
come acquainted with our large congre-
CATION, and many persons | know are
extremely sensitive on such points"
How ashamed Mrs. Clark was that
she had made such disagreeable re-
marks and such unwarranted assertions
about her PASTORS wife, whom now she
thought so cordial and affable. And
how almost guilty she felt as she re-
piled to the last remark of Mrs. Adams,
Yes, / suppose there are some who
are perhaps oversensitive in such mat
ters."
i" l have a friend with me" said Mrs.
Clark. " wont you join us at the
opposite table? There is third seat
vacant"
Mrs. Adams was glad to do so. After
the introduction and few passing re-
marks on the weather, her new home
and so on, Mrs. Adams said, addressing
Mrs. Sumner: {" was Just telling Mrs.
Clark how glad l was that she came
and spoke to me. 1t is very difficult
for me to remember those with whom I
have but slight acquaintance, and, as 1
am near-sighted, / often fail to recog-
nize my friends if l meet them in un-
expected places, or if they have made
any marked change in their dress"
"That is just my case" replied Mrs.
Sumner; so you have my full SYM
patty, and am sure you need it, for
people with our affection are oftentimes
abused"
Undoubtedly" said Mrs. Adams.
little thinking, however, that she had
been severely dealt with that morning,
and by the lady sitting at her side.
My husband" she added, 60 seems to
have no difficulty in recognizing every
one, which is, of course, a great help to
pastor. l can recall but one instance
where he was put to his wits end to
discover who the gentleman was to
whom he was talking, and l believe he
never did know. We were walking up
the street together in New Haven, and
we noticed a gentleman approaching
us, who looked very glad to see us, and
he greeted us with the greatest cordial
ity. He inquired if we had enjoyed
our vacation, how the children were,
and so on and so on. My husband re-
sponded to his inquiries, and then
asked, How are all the folks p and
the gentleman spoke of his wife and
children. Then, after further CONVEX
sation, he added, You did not bring
your wife out to see us in strawberry
time; now we shall look for you when
the grapes are ripe Mr.. Adams
thanked him, and they chatted few
minutes longer, while l stood wonder
ing who he was, where he lived, why
it was we did not go in strawberry time,
and whether we might go in the grape
season.
GAS soon as he had gone said to my
husband, Who is that gentleman p Il
haven't the remotest idea,' he replied,
'who he is or where he came from =
How strange l said. Didn't you
ask him how all his folks were?' Ger
tainly,' said he, l did not know, how
ever, whether l was inquiring for
mother, wife, children, or brother or
sisters; but everybody has folks, so l
thought that safe question to ask. 1
was expecting all the time that he
would say something that would help
me to place him., he said. But do
not think he ever recalled that gentle
man, and l am sure we never made
them the visit in grape season. But, as
rule, he remembers every one, and
knows the names of the children in
Sunday-school in a short time, while l
am always making blunders and mis-
takes"
g think the being able to fix names
and faces is natural gift with some,
although it is quite possible that min
listers try to cultivate that habit" said
Mrs. Sumner.
The ladies soon left the restaurant,
Mrs. Adams going in one direction
and the two friends in another
will confess now that l have
learned a lesson this morning-a lesson
in charity" said Mrs. Clark, (which l
do not think shall soon forget. And
| hope l shall never allow myself to
feel sighted again.
81 hope you will not, " rejoined Mrs.
Sumner. " How fortunate it was that
you should meet Mrs. Adams, for you
might have prejudiced others against
her. If people only were more careful
to think and to speak kind words of
others and make excuses for seeming
delinquencies how lovely it would be.
Rut n loroa charity soon taacbae nc