Alpena weekly argus. [volume] (Alpena, Mich.) 1871-1893, 1885-10-21
MISS WINCHESTER.
The Minister'S Mistake, and It's
Happy Results.

1t was very lovely Sabbath, per-
feet summer day, and rs Miss Win
chester left her carriage AMI walked
slowly under the 4raceful elms shading
the church-yard she found herself soft
ly repeating old Herbert's lines:
"Sweet day, so cool. so calm, so bright,
The bridal of the earth and sky"
The majority of the congregation
turning toward Cloverville Church were
not ready to call the July day cool by
any means. But, then, the hurried
housewives and mothers, the fathers,
young men and maidens, had not simp-
ly donned a fresh and elegant summer
toilet, and bowled along in an easy,
open carriage, as had Miss Winchester,
of "Evergreens."
She sat in her pew alone; she always
did. The church must be very crowd
ed, indeed, ere any one vcntured into
Miss Winchester's pew. The tall. hand
some lady could never be called rude.
Oh, no. But whatever belonged to Miss
Winchester must belong to herself only.
She would willingly have paid pew rent
for all of Deacon Wills six children
rather than share her seat with any one
of them. Joint ownership in property
of any kind was not to Miss Winches-
ter's mind, and, during the forty-odd
years she had lived at Evergreens, as
child, maiden and now sole mistress.
Cloverville people had come to under
stand her ways pretty thoroughly.
81 must beg to detain tie congrega-
ton a few moments" said the pastor,
after the last prayer.
Miss Winchester looked uneasily
through the open window near her. She
was wondering how her spirited ponies
were standing, and making mental
verdict that John was sure to be asleep.
But what was Mr.. Ia!e saying and so
earnestlyp
II have received letters from some of
the managers of the Chidren's Fresh
Air Society, inquiring If this village
will open its hearts and homes and
entertain for week or two some of the
little ones pining for country air and
food. Some of you, my dear people,"
said Mr.. Dale, warming as he proceeded,
"would esteem it high and precious
privilege if, for only one short week,
the Master might personally enter your
homes and st at your tables. How
would you hasten to bring all that is
best within your means for His service!
You would keep back no box of ONT
ment, however costly. And. behold,
He does come! In this cup of water to
these little ones He bids you give it as
unto Him. Reveive theso-perhaps
some of the least of His-as guests in
Jesus stead"
Mr.. Dale paused and pronounced the
benediction.
There was just the faintest perccptible
shadow of veXation on Miss Henrietta
Winches, cr's face; she made the least
possible motion, very lady-llke
motion, of her grcnadinc- clad shoulders.
For Miss Winchester was annoyed. She
was detained just ten minutes beyond
the usual time of her leaving church.
She had no sympathy for the object of
the pastors plea, and she disliked to
have things or ideas come upon her
suddenly, and on Sunday of all times.
Ii Mr.. Dale had but spoken to her
alone, rs Miss Winchester, of Ever
greens, not simply rs one of his dear
people" she might possibly have con-
sidcred the proposed entertainment.
But at present, as she passed out of her
pew, she had not tho slightest idea of
receiving any one of the children, so
tenderly appealed for, within the aristo-
cratic shades of Evergreens. There had
Dcen no "Fresh Air" children in her
childhood and youth, and she felt it
really q personal grievance that such
innovation upon established customs
should spring up in her middle age, and
knock, as it wcro, ut her very doors.
Yet as Mr.. Dale passed out of the little
tllrong surrounding and questioning
him 10 speak to Miss Winchester as
she came with dignity down the church
steps, that lady, by some sudden, mex
plicable notion of mind, answered his
kindly greeting with an abrupt ques-
ton:
when do you expect these city chill
drenP"
Mr.. Dale's benevolent face beamed.
lie had hardly dared to expect so much
interest on tho pnrt of his grand lady
parishioner.
ION Tuesday. four p. m. train"
al will send my carriage to the station
ut train time, and you can give any
necdful directions to the driver"
THANK you, thank you!" said Mr..
Dale as heartily rs for personal favor.
"This Is kind. indeed, Miss Winchos-
ter"
How often we misjudge PERSONS"
he said to CHEEKY little Mrs. Dale, as
they walked home. II barely hoped
that Miss Henrietta might perhaps give
little pecuniary aid, and here she Of
fers to take one of these little strangers
to her house,
Really! Now, Mr.. Dale, are you
sure she said SOP" qucried his wife.
II can not be mistaken. She in
quircd when the children were 10 ar
rive and said her carriage would be in
waiting"
Yes, heard her tell papa so," said
little Bessie.
Well, ] am very much surprised
that she should take one of the chill
Sren." said Mrs. Dale. but, poor
little thingl how drcadfully lonely It
will be out there"
Meanwhile. Miss Winchester was
driving towards Evcrgreens, blissfully
unconscious of the part assigned her by
Ito pastor I'm the entertainment of the
coming littlo visitors. Her feeling Of
annoyance had somewhat subsidized dur
ing her pleasant ride home, and her
ceuntenancc assumed its usual serenity
rs she changed her outdoor dress for a
cool, crisp lawn, and ate her elegant