New Ulm weekly review. [volume] (New Ulm, Minn.) 1878-1892, 1888-07-04
HER ROMANCE

=
ner of Third street, where the children
stopped on their way to school and
spent their pennies. They all called
her aunt Lucy. She was creeping
along among the seventies, when the
church in Pennhollow, where she had
attended for over fifty years, changed
ministers. Wise old parson Graves
slipped quietly away to his farm, and
young Arthur VIM, fresh from the
college, succeeded him. 1t was like
putting a book in the place OF a living
oracle, but the people had all hopes
that the book would some time bud
| and blossom, as did Aaron's rod.
Young VIM had learned, while among
the hills where he studied sacred lore
not only the wisdom requisite to his
| profession, but heart lesson, which
was quite as much needed. And SO he
took Regina Ball to Pennhollow.
Regina had been my ms eparable
companion from the time of short
frocks and pinafores; and Pennhol-
low, with its great churches, it's new
duties, and strange scenes, could not
fill the void which each felt at separa-
ton. Scarcely was the new tent pitch
ed ere beseeching letters began to pour
in upon me to come to dear, lonely
friend; come and pass the winter in
Pennhollow.
had never Travelled many miles
away from my own home, and this
opening opportunity was quite at
tractive. l took counsel with nv
mother, and it was agreed, somewhat
sadly, remember, that the beseech-
ing letters should have q favorable
answer. The sadness inhered in the
thought OF leaving my dear parents
quite alone through the dull
and stormy months, while
had a gay time in the
city. But were ever parents thought
full OF themselves under such circun.
stances? From the beginning Of the
world until now, the very word par
ent stands for self-sacritice. A pity
for the children who allow the sacri-
fee to assert itself perpetually, and
without large returns.
And in going to Pennhollw [ got ac-
qainted with aunt Lucy and learned
her romance. When I walked up the
broad aisle with Regina, and entered
the minister's pew, was somewhat
surprised to find it occupied. A little
old lady, her round face framed Din
| white cap frills, sat in the corner Of
the pew. Her dark eyes had a smiling
twinkle, which certain permanent
dimples intensified, making the
wrinkled old face inviting and pleas,
| ant. She was very decorious all
/ through the services, and instead Of
being hindered in our devotions by
the proximity OF q stranger. we were
helped. A degree OF spiritual ex-
altation possessed us quite beyond
any previous experience. It may
have been IN part owing to the time
honored church, and the multitude of
decorous worshipers; butwhen Regina
| and talked the matter over, we quite
| agreed that our heavenly mood was
| largely due to aunt Lucy. II sunshine
such as hers can glorify theface ofage,.
there is something in religion which
| our young enthusiasm has no power.
as yet, to fathom, we said; something
| which grows and deepens, with the
| passing years.
found that aunt Lucy always sat
in the minister's pew. She seemed to
belong to the church in away which no.
body else did. AS / got acquainted
! ! with che people, meeting Them at the
soclables, and around their own tables
l-PennholloW was a maste.
/ place to ask the minister
to tea, and of course I was
/ always invited, tool found they. all
claimed relationship with the little
old lady in the minister's pew. They
had persuaded her to give up her cam
dy store on the corner OF Third street,
thinking she was too old to have so
much care, and let the, church take
care of her.
I They took a right gracious way to
supply the income OF the candy sales.
/ 1T was agreed that she should 90 out
to pass the day with one family, then
i with another, until she had made the
circuit OF the parish, then begin and
90 around again, and SO on. As aunt
Lucy had a nephew living on a farm
near the sea, so that she could go to
the sea-shore In the summer, she did
i not visit the same family oftener than
once a year, unless 1t might nave been
the family OF the minister. She could
| not wholly conform to the routine,
i but would 60 where ehked somewhat
/ oftener. remember she came for the
| first time to the house of the young
minister on the Sunday after Thanks
giving. An immense turkey, which did
| not get roasted on the regular day.for
/ the reason that the minister's family
was invited out, came to its post oil
| honor for aunt Lucy.
How eloquentlJ' she praised the cap
tain who brought the turl y, and the
| captains wife who sent the pies. It
vas q fashion they had in PennholloN