The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1890-11-26

| oiSu@ 4HdG louf WEEKS Oh pleasant
weather that came in September just
saved my corn crop. My two cribs are
full and there is large quantity still
upon the lower barn floor. l shall not
have to buy pound of feed for my cat
tie next spring, and that is something
| unusual"
Tomorrow is Thanksgiving, Mrs.
Holden said, little more firmly, land
it seems to me we ought to remember
some of our poor neighbors that have
not been so fortunate as we have been.
Then there will be collection taken
tomorrow at church that will be given
to those who have suffered from various
calamities the present season. You
know that they have been very numer-
Gus and severe, Solomon"
Mr.. Holden looked very much Sur
prised at his wife's boldness in thus
suggesting to him his duty, for he was
a man that prided himself upon being
very faithful in the discharge of all
moral and religious duties and obliga-
TONS He was surprised also to see how
earnestly and boldly she appeared about
the matter, for usually she was very
quiet and timid when she asked for any
favor.
But Mr.. Holden was in frame of
mind to bear good deal, and so he an
swered, pleasantly:
Eyes, we will try to do our duty, and
as | can not attend church tomorrow as
I have to deliver those five cows to
Butcher Dean, / will give you some
money for the collection" and then the
farmer took his well-flled poke book
and began to look over the contents.
He unrolled some bills, and after look.
ing them over two or three times he
handed his wife single dollar bill.
She received it silently, and after
awhile she spoke again:
"Our pastor needs his pay, Solomon.
have been informed that he is really
destitute and in need of many things.
His clothes look very threadbare and
worn, although his wife evidently tries
to make them look nicely. And then
there is poor Widow Dean and her
two sick children. who have been very
near deaths door. You know, Solomon,
that she has to work out by the. day to
support her little family. and now for
three weeks she has been kept with
them, don't see how she has got along.
Can we not help her in some way? You
know that she is a worthy member OF
our own church"
At this the pleased look" resting
upon Holden's face was nearly all gone
and he began to wear an unpleasant ex.
preston. His wife was getting very
bold.
81 have already given five dollars
upon the pastors salary, and l expect
to give Eve more; that is as much as
have been in the habit of giving. | can
pay it now, however. if he needs it. and,
as TO Mrs. Dean, they all ought to give
her little if she is really suffering. You
may send Dick, the hired man, down
there with bushel OF potatoes in the
morning, and that makes me think
am owing her boy Harry half-dollar
for picking up potatoes two days.
| don't see how l came to forget it. Here,
take it, and send that, too, or l may for
get it again. and as Mr.. Holden said
this he arose to go to the town that was
only a short distance from the old farm.
house.
wait a moment, Solomon Holden,
exclaimed the wife, starting step in
advance until she stood in front of hel
husband Listen to me; | shall have
voice in this matter, for l helped you
to get this large farm and the money
and bonds in the bank that you call
yours. They are just as much mine as
they are yours, and l shall claim the
right to give some portion of them te
the Lord. Are you not ashamed tc
speak of giving our worthy pastor the
paltry sun Of ten dollars? 1t ought tc
be hundred if you pay as do some OF
our poor members. There is Franklin
who works for every cent he has to sup
port his wife and three children; and
yet he gives fifteen dollars yearly to,
ward the pastors support. And then il
is o shame to send bushel OF potatoes
to poor Mrs. Dean when you know hel
crop that Harry planted and hoed was a
perfect failure. | will not insult that
woman by sending her such quantity
as you suggest, and you ought to have
given me five-dollar bill for the col
lection tomorrow. That one-dollar bill
will cry out against you in the judg
ment day and you will be speeches. be
fore the thousands of the unfortunate
ones that have suffered by food ano
, ire the present season. For shame
| Solomon Holden," and the usually pals