Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1888-11-22
MR. CLOYER'S GIFT,
The Thanksgiving It Made in the Deacon's
House.

table. Mr.. Glover was recounting to his
wife the prospects of success that had
opened In his business this fall. eyes
my DEAR" he said, ''we must do something
unusual by way of a Thanksgiving offer
ing this year. What shall it BET"
How much shall it be? first" said Mrs
Glover.
''WelI. say thousand; we can spare it
az well as not"
81 know what I'd like TO do-have the
church re-frescoed and some new carpets
put in. That stained ceiling and that
worn path up the center aisle do distress
me-"
Every thing in Mrs. Clover's house was
fresh and shining. Her eyes were spoil
ed at home for shabby things abroad.
'Well, I'd like to beautify tho church, u
said Mr.. Glover. I'll speak TO some of the
committee after prayer-meeting and tell
them what We propose"
"Will they LET us?''
"Let us? Well, guess SOP
''And let US have some choice about
colors and carpets, hope?"
con, you'll see; you'll have it all your
own way"
Mrs. Clover looked beaming. In fact,
two very happy people went to prayer
meeting that night.
''Nice folks" said Ebenezer Gris6, the
sexton, as he saw them pass up the aisle;
"but sometimes there's a leetle Of the
strut and crow about 'em, tool"
Indeed, good Mr.. Clover was that min
ute meditating a little Thanksgiving
speech in the meeting, which perhaps
might have the echo of the "erow" only
too audible in it for captious ears.
But the speech never was made; for he
had not been five minutes in meeting
before there came some words out of the
New Testament which seemed to pull his
heart right down from it's place of iubila
ton and stick it full of thorns. A shadow
fell over his rudy face, and his wife, who
did not in the least understand it, i'm
mediately reflected il IL her own.
The words which had this unhappy eff
feet were these
therefore, if thou bring thy gift TO
the altar, and there remembered that
thy brother hath aught against thee,
leave there thy gift before the altar,
and go thy way; first be reconciled to thy
brother, and then come and offer thy
gift"
And there sat, across the aisle, nearer
the door, but still within reach OF every
o1OuSJ SAhO SlduCCJ d pICbhSE VINO HdO
something against Mr.. Glover. It was
only poor old Deacon Simon. His face
was thin and severe; his hands shook; his
hair was white; his clothes were shabby.
He had been made deacon because OF his
burning zeal; but the severity of his
spirit had not mads him popular in the
church. He was often at odds with his
brethren. He scented heresy in every
breeze. he mourned over church
whose members sometimes allowed dane
ing and card-playing initheir homes, and
even took drives on Sabbath. Poor
Deacon Simon, who often stood alone
testifying for old ways of righteousness,
and whose sensitive spirit was so rasped
by the Indifference With which his testi-
mony was received!
Only last month he had objected to a
childrea's October Sunday where there
should be autumn leaves and kindred
frivolities brought into church. Then
Brother Glover, who looked SO good ma
tured, cut had a choleric temper OF his
own upon occasions, had fired up and
spoken hasty words TO the good deacon,
words as rude as blow. They had been
received In silence; they had never been
apologizsd for; there had been little in
tercourse between the two mon since.
Il won't apologize" said Mr.. Glover
now TO himself. II told MIN the truth,
and nothing else would have stopped his
+alk, and served our turn"
IF thy brother have aught again st
thee'-hummed the unwelco ne words in
his mind.
''He was going to spoil good thing.
We couldn't stir hand or foot in this
church if somebody didn't put down his
domineering spirit. I'm glad did It,"
"If thy brother hath aught against
thee'-repeated the echo.
''He'd no business to lay it up against
me! He ought to thank me for telling
him the downright truth"
"Leave there thy gift before the altar''
repeated memory again.
stop good thing because l don't
please an old curmudgeon like that!"
"First be reconciled with thy brother"
sang the memorable verse.
There's no such thingl Might as well
try to be reconciled with an old bear.
There's no use wasting words with him."
"Then-then come and offer thy gift.'
"Pshaw!-pshaw!-Wh fool l am!
| haven't heard a word DR.. Parsons has
been saying. Now who's going to offer
prayerf Dear!-if it isn't Simonw
There were few of the customary greet
ings between the Clovers and their neigh
bors when the meeting was over. With
out waiting to see any member of the
business committee, Mr.. Glover hurried
headlong out of the church. His wife
lost no time in asking for an explana-
ton.
ooh, I'm all upset; I'm such fool"
"What is itf"
He knew he would have to tell her in
the end, and besides it was really relief
to him to do so. She asked some close
questions. "Tell me just what you said,
she demanded.
swell, he said we were just teaching the
children to make play out of worship
That made me mad, and says I: Deacon
Simon, if you'd been there when they
brought the children for Christ to bless
you'd have been one to rebuke them al
sure as fate That's just your spirit
right through
sWhat did he say?n
ssNot'a word; though he kinder flashed
up. Guess he was mad. you see l was
The way I spoke was as bad as tn,
words"
"Yoa've got to ask his pardon"
eyes" groaned her husband.
"You might as we'll do it now. I'll e
the rest of the way alone; you go RICH
back and find him."
sit won't be a might of use, Ellen
The minute he hssrs of the church beins
redscorated, he'll be mad again. h
can't abide any thing new"
"But you'll have done your duty. II
60 right off,
Mr.. Clover turned, slowly bat obedient