The Somerset reporter., 1886-03-17
SELECTED.
A LOST DAY.

1t was very uui 4 at the old farm, FOR
the first time in their lives the young peo-
pie, four g"Own-up girls, had gone away
together to stay week. At home tley
generally kept things astir, in The way ol
fun and froic. from morning III hl9ht.
"Somcthing ought to happen, they sald
to each other. when father and mother
IRE left alone, something funny. LOOK
out father" cried Bessie. gaily, as thcN
were leaving. Keep hold OF the AMMAN
ac, or you may lose the days OF the week
SO Deacon Stcarns and Mrs Stearls
settled down for quiet spell. heN
could hardly remember that such tllle
ever came to them bt fore. Even the mr.
ed man had gone The deacon remarked,
"Wifc, I'll finish that history and add up
my yearly accounts We shan't have such
Il racket now
She replied. II Il finish drawing i'll my
mat. Thrrc'll be time To turn oil good
many things"
This was Tuesday. On "Wednesday
morning he said; ut beats all how we
miss those girls How do you stand II,
mother? | behave its going to SNOW.
She answered well, women have 81
many things to do they don't mind being
lonely as much rs men. If the children
only yet back safe it's all I'll ask.
The storm came on Thursday fast and
furious, with raging winds pilins up huge
drifts, and rolling along banks for child
rem to tunnel. Inside everything was
peaceful in the dear old sitting room, and
so still. The deacon heapcd up the wood
in the open fire place, where the flames
roarcd, as if to show that the elements in
doors were equal to those without Then
he went to sleep over his Prescott aid She
nodded over her mat. The old dog looked
around occasionally to see if they were
still alive ;and the cat sat up and washed
her face in order to keep something NOV
ing. Thus the short day wore on To an
other night.
Nor is it to be wondered at that, with
the quiet and the storm and the going 10
bed early, somehow this worthy couple
lost Il day and awokc the next morning
with the firm conviction that IL was sat
urday instead of Friday.
"Wcll, forgot to put my beans a-soak
last night" said Mrs Stcarns, but sup
pose | can boil them longer this morning.
"\ud must look out for the brick oN-
en- and see to the fireplace logs Tor over
Sunday" snid Deacon Stcarns, rs he UNI
locked the door.
Al night it was still showing, but the
Sunday baking was all i'll, and ready 10
come out hot the next mornmg-the beans,
brownbrcad and the sweet apple pudding
Besides there were II whole pan OF apple
puflS. brown and takey in the pantry, II
Jar of doughnuts and oak-leaved cookies.
The next morning WAS clear and colt
The sun >honc and the snow was deep ana
smooth. No one had appeared In the
streets to disspatc their notion that it
was Sunday.
"Wifc." said the deacon. as he came in
to breakfast, "thc SNOW is pretty deep,
and the drifts will be high below Mace's.
What do You say to staying at home from
meeting to-day Can't we manage 10
keep Sunday by ourselvesF
Now, the dcacon's wife was one of the
best women in the world but She did like,
sometimes, a quiet Sunday at home. BE,
imr very conscientious She seldom allowed
herself such luxury. Her face wore Il
smile of satisfaction rs she spoke;
1t would be hard for the horse to stand
ont. Didn't he get li.tlc lame the other
day? hope we shan't set bad example
to our new ncighborS, but do as You THINK
best, husband
Toward noon She took her Bible and
sat down AT the south window. She could
hardly believe her eyes There went by a
load of wood, and another, and still an
other,
Taking advantage of this snow fol
shedding: what shame, 1t looks lik'
Mr.. Fostc' : man. too.
There came knock at the door 4
man asked for something to eat. Ih'
deacon was in the barn, but She would
not refuse a meal and shelter besides.
she thought 81 can talk to him about
keeping Sunday
She seated him by the fire with plate
of provisions and a cup of hot coffee.
Are YOU travelling far
".JuSt M from down below looking fni
work"
lyon don't look for work on Sunday.
hope"
1Wcn. | don't know what I'll do to-
morrow. Guess ] Il wait till Sunday
come ="
Poor hcathcn!" She said to herself
If could only give him some instrne-
ton
We are staying at home from meeting
TO-DAY, but we usually 20. II you are
able to walk in the snow when you get
to the city You will find church ON the
right-hand side this very road. straight
abe d. You may yet right into our pew
Tell the sexton Deacon Stearns>. our
clothes are good You mustn't 20 about
Sabbath day if you would PROSPER
She rose and looked steadily at him to
make her remarks effective.
The man started. then got up. Il
thankec mn'am your food was good and
hot. guess You are all right If You are Il
little fuddlcd in your mind.
She was too indignant to speak word
and the man stepped out
The deacon met him in the doorvard
and he said to himself
"Good chance to say Il word to this
man"
But when he began the tramp actually
burst ont laughing artl turned away. The
deacon watched him with growing dis
pleasure. He went II few steps, turned
around and looked at the house. and seem
ed to he overcome with mi til.
Another knock at the door of the Kitten.
en-. There stood little girl, one of the
new ncighbor's children
please maam, will you lend my mother
frying pan? Shes cracked hers, and VT
cannot get another to-day.
"Of course you cant my child, We're
not hcathcns in this town. Yes You may
Ike il but come and sit by the fire r. +.
she said to herself, perhaps this Is an
other chance; and there's more hope to
children"
She brought ont two nice apple pulls oi
pretty plate, and began
DO you know your commandments;
| Eyes, ma'am some of them,
"Will YOU say one after mcf Remem
her the Sabbath day and keep it molly
The child ate her pies, regarding he
uucstioner with an amazed look that con
yiuced Mrs. Stcarns that she had not beef