Custer chronicle. [volume] (Custer City, Black Hills, D.T. [S.D.]) 1880-1890, 1886-05-01

going against the grain OF their hus-
bands parishioners. You knew the
church felt sorry enough to dismiss
Mr.. Mason. He WAS n powerful
preacher, but bis wife was tho stun
bling-block in his way. John might
get caught just that way. and his USE
fulness hindered. Miss Catlin knows
how to axe all sorts OF folks, and
she's one that won't DO run over
either. by those ome in every
church who want 10 be- captains and
have their own way. like Mrs. Deacon
Jones and Abncr Whitney's second
wife. I'm going to invite Miss Catlin
with the P~illsburys to tea tomorrow
night"
The deacon al nodding in his chair
when his wife finished speaking, and
she was left to her W thoughts.
When John was informed the next
morning by his mother that she had
invited a young lady to take tea with
him, and told HIM she was just the one
for a minister's wife. John smiled, but
only said that he would be pleased to
see his mothers idea of a prospective
minister's wife. 1t was evident when
the visit was over that John was not
very enthusiastic over his mothers
guest. The deacon told his wife that
it was his opinion that John want
over n above pleased with
Miss Catlin. at is in vain you spread
a net in sight of any bird" But
John was only going to be at home a
few days. and if his mother could only
bring about meetings enough with
Miss Catlin to guarantee Johns asking
to correspond with her, she was sure
the matter would be adjusted to her
satisfaction.
There was evidently something on
Johns understanding that weighed
heavy" his mother said. II it was be-
cause he feared he could not get a
church, she was certain she was worry
ing for nothing. OF course, with his
talents, he wouldn't have to preach
around as a candidate long. But that
was not what was on John mind at
all. He was bordering how to tell his
mother that his wife had already been
selected, and that he had had the pleas
ure OF making his own selection. Ii
was not after his mothers pattern,
however, rs the petite Annie Woodruff
was exactly the opposite of Miss Catlin
physically, and, he was sure, mentally,
as well. He was so sorry his choice
had not come up to his mothers stand
ard, for her sake. All he knew about
it was that Annie just suited him.
Whether she would suit his mother and
his parishioners was quite another
question. But why should ministers
have o prescribed type of wives differ.
ent from other menP A good wife was
a good wife any where.
"Mother, dear" said John. one
morning, when his mother was rolling
out the crust Of his favorite pies. 81
hope l shall find a wife who a make
as good a pie rs you can"
miss Catlin will make a splendid
housekeeper, and just the wife for you,
John, in every particular. She can
lead the missionary meetings and the
women's prayer-meetings, and "a cut
out anything at the sewing society
without any patterns, and she's the
most discreet person i ever knew"
"A high recommendation, surely.
But what will you think when l tell
you that I have already engaged my
wife, mother, and that she is just the
opposite of Miss Catlin, as far as l can
judgeP"
'.Why, John Gravesr' exclaimed the
astonished mother, laying down her
rolling-pin, which fell upon the floor
with a ,rem endous noise, ''when did
you have time. with all your theologi-
cal studies, to hunt up "a suitable
wife?"
81 didn't spend much time hunting
for her; the Lord placed her, in his
good providence. in my wav. l hope
you will love her for my sake.
mother"
.'I'm sort Of overwhelmed. John, and
you must excuse me If l don't say
enough in favor of it just now" and
she stopped down and picked up her
rolling pin.
"That rainy Sunday was a sort of
shadow Of coming events all around,
Deacon" she said. as John passed out
of the door and the deacon came in.
Johns got bis wife all picked out and
secured, and she is just the opposite of
Miss Catlin."
Didn't l tell you, Philury, that
mothers can't pick out wives for their
boysP II I'd married Martha Stone, as
my mother wanted me to, l wouldn't
have been half as well off as l am