The Manchester journal. [volume] (Manchester, Vt.) 1861-current, 1885-08-13

has fastened ~ sceurely - II y could hav,
been Induced under any eirsumstapcss 4
run. He was moved 10 this act Of gsllan
try. partly because be resliy liked th.
ebeery little woman. and partly because
be heard Mrs. Bsrpey's call. aud vas Ia
no haste 10 get to the honse
That will do. thank you. Tim, said Sis
ter searls. nervously anxious tc expedite
his steps in the way Of obedience. 81
think Mrs. Barney is calling you"
"Yes'm. she mostly always is," answer
ed Tim. philosophicslly, psusing to ar
range the harness with paihful delibsrs
tion.
But my dear boy urged Slater Searls.
reading somsthing 10 the knated brows,
'.you really should try 70 plsaas and help
her oil you can. you know. She 10 kind
TO you m
"oh. yea shes hind. Only when ! sss
one OF her kindnessss a comm i dodge III
50 generally hits fellow hard enough "a
be uncomfortable. " sespvndsd Tim. Thss
having relieved his feelings by this state
ment bis conscience pricked him slightly.
and he added: "You see. she's always in
such hurry. She cant como out and
bring EN-; she has to hitch 'em."
Mrs. Searls meditated as she drove down
the country road.
"Well, never thought Of that before
but do suppose that is why the Bible
speaks Of the Lords loylng kindness, and
tender mercy--because there is 80 much
kindness in the world that isn't one bit
loving, and so much mercy thst is only
duty and not tenderness. III tell Josiah
that"
For it happened that while the good
minister pored over bis books and studied
theology. his wife, going here and there.
studied humanity. And though he cook
ed bis own sermons she very often seasoned
them.
The baking was done at last. the cur
rants picked, and Mrs. Barney's dinner
cooked.
"For the bounty bestowed upon us may
we be duly grateful, murmued Mr.. Bar
ney, with head bowed low over his plate.
Then be looked up and remarked that he
was tired OF steady diet Of ham and eggs
and didn't see why they couldn't have
little variety.
"You would see il you had to cook in
the hot kitchen as do" responded Mrs.
Barney, more shortly than her wont. "I'm
glad to have whatever I can get most
quickly and easily. When we have . sum.
mer kitchen we can begin to live as other
people do
"If we ain't eli old % Methuselar, COM
planned Master Tommy, in an undertone,
which was perfectly audible, anyway,
he chickens will be, IL W can n'thsvs any
cooked till that time" He had sniffed the
'dors Of the baking on his homeward way
rom school, and settling his juvenile mind
upon chicken pie for dinner had been
yrlevously disappointed
Warm and weary with her mornings
work. the questions and suggestions fretted
Mrs. Barney. She felt wounded and ag-
grieved too, as she moved about silently
liter dinner. No one seemed to see tina.
'he cared so much for things nice and
as did the others, she said to |
herself. She cared far more, indeed,
ince she was willing to do without much |
low. and work and plan for the sake Of
laving things all that could be desired by
md by. How many present comforts and |
she had foregone for that
Those very cellar stairs toward whose dark
md tortuous steps she was tending, were
N example; they could scarcely be more
,adly built. or in . more inoonvsnient
place. Mr.. Barney had wanted TO remove
hem. but she would not allow him TO in
'ur the expense. because second removal
night be necessary when the house was
thoroughly resrrsnged. No, she had pre-
erred TO submit to the discomfort all this
ime.
Too long time 1t proved. for even while
he neditated, an insecure board slipped
,eneath her feet, plnnging her down the
lark, narrow stairway against the roDgh |
tone wall, and then upon the bard floor
" the cellar. One swift movement OF
error, the crash OF dishes that fell from
Ter hands, fash OF excruciatiug pain,
md then she knew nothing more. She
lid not hear Neulie's wild cry from the
Dom above, nor see her husbands pale
ace as be lifted her 10 his arms
When she returned TO consciousness
TRANCE voice-the physicians vas say
ng:
mo bones broken, though It's wonder
Ter neck wasn't. falling in the way she
lid"
Slowly she opened her eyes upon con-
used mingling OF anxious faces, wet
loths, and bottles OF arnica and camphor,
nd gradually she comprehended what
lad happened and her own condition not
injured, bat bruised and
amed, and with sprained ankle that
'onld keep her prisoner for some days
I least II was . sudden pause in
er busy work. sn enforced rest She
carcely knew how 10 bear II, for mo-
nent. rs she remembered ali she had plan
ed TO do. until q second shuddering
houghi suggested that she might have
cit It for ever; then she grew patient and
thankful. Yet il seemed strange 70 ls lying
uietly on the lounge iu the best room !,
bat had been kept - carefully closed TO
reserve its iurnisuTs ~ntiI in addition 10
be house should trsnsmne Il into . back