Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1890-09-17

out MI. FoLt1groW. Il We got some
beans here for We. Wher'll We hev 'em
put?'
"In the woodshed," said the minister,
with smile at his wife. Its going to
be beans this year, my dear, !" in whis-
per.
Then other arrivals followed in rapid
succession, and at least three out of ev-
cry four brought beans.
"I've counted fourteen bushels al
ready" whispered the minister to his
wife about s o'clock, "and still there's
more to follow"
cts old clothes in my part of the
house," said Mrs. Spooner. II do be-
lieve there's enough to last the children
till they are all grown up, if they'd fit
till that time. / can imagine the ap-
pearance they make in them. No two
alike, and probably not one that would
fit one of the children. It's too pro-
voking for anything. If it wasn't for
making the people mad, I'd sell the
whole lot for rags to the first rag ped
dler that comes along"
Brothers n sisters, m frien's m
after supper, when the party was about
to break up, 'sthe proceeds of this ere
donation amounts to twentv-seven
bushels O. potatoes, an a large amount
o. clothin', an some other things. In
b'half O. the elder an his folks, thank
We fer y'r lib'ral'tv. Y'r kindness is
appreciated by him N his'n, l feel
sartin, an I'm shure his heart m hams
is strengthened by this evidence o. fell
lowship on your part. Truly as the
psalmist says, 1T is more blessed to
give than to receiye.''
~ cordially endorse the sentiment
from the receivers standpoint" said
Mrs. Spooner, as they looked over the
proceeds" of the donation party when
they were alone Gust look at the col
lection CT old clothes, Henry. | suggest
that you give up preaching and move to
the city, and start in business as a bean
broker, and I'll run an old-clothes store.
We'd be well stocked up to begin with. !"
"What will you do with the stuff?'
asked the minister, turning over old
jackets and aprons, and other articles of
clothing with comical look of dismay
on his face at the formidable collection.
81 think | shall make about 100 yards
of rag carpet" answered Mrs. Spooner.
.'That's about all good deal of it is fit
for"
One afternoon in the following week
the minister sat down to prepare SER
mon for the coming Sabbath AS was
often the case, he talked it over with
his wife. When he named the chapter
he proposed to read at the opening of
the service, sudden CLEAN of mischief
came into Mrs. Spooner's face. But she
said nothing
During the week Mr.. Spooner wrote
to a friend in the city, asking him if
had twenty-five bushels to dispose of,
at low price, he wrote, adding that it
had been 'Ea great year for beans in
Scragsby Corners"
When Sunday morning came Mrs.
Spooner sent her husband on to church
ahead of her, under the plea that she
had not got the children quite ready.
Don't wait for me, Henry" she said,
cor you may be late. Well get there
in time for the sermon"
He was reading a chapter from the
Psalms when his family arrived. He
had reached the verse in which the lily
of the valley is spoken of, and these
words rolled off generously from his
tongue just as the door opened and
Mrs. Spooner, followed by her chill
dren, filed slowly and impressively in
Verify, | say unto you, even Solo
mon in ali his glory was not arrayed
like one of these"
AS he finished the verse he looked
up at the advancing arrivals, and the
spectacle that met his eyes tested his
power of self control more than any
thing else he had ever experienced, he
afterwards told his wife. His mouth
twitched, and a smile hickered about
his eyes, but he managed to keep back
the grin that would have appeared at
the faintest encouragement.
Such a sight The eldest girl was ar
rayed in Almiry's cast off dress, of navy
blue, with some other girls polonaise
of red. Her sister was resplendent in a
dress of Scotch plaid pattern of most
gorgeous colors, originally, but now
somewhat subdued by time and wear,
acket about three sizes too small for
her, the picturesque costume being
topped of by a hat trimmed with old
ribbon freshly dyed a very bright ma
genta color The oldest boy had a pair
of trousers which fairly dragged at the
heels, and jacketthat was long enough
for an overcoat, while the other boy
wore trousers so short that they failed
to meet the top of pair of bright blue
stockings, while his jacket refused to
keep company with the top of his trous
ers. Each article had a peculiar color gifts
own, and the general effect was, as has
been said, decidedly picturesque.
The minister had no mixing of what
his wife intended to do, and the sight of
his family in such fine array so upset
him for a moment that he read the
verse he had just finished over again
"'Verily, say unto you, even Solo
mon in all his glory was not arrayed
like one of these"
A very audible litter went through
the younger portion Of the congrega-
ton. Some even laughed aloud. Mrs.
Wade looked at Mrs. Pettigrew to see
what that estimable woman seemed in
clined to think of the proceeding, but
she couldn't catch her eye. She was
too busily engaged in following the scrip
ture lesson to look at anyone.
"I'll bet she's mad, though, . thought
Mrs. Wade. zone O them jackets an
one o. them trowsis came from her. [
dunno, though, S they look emmy worse
than that dress o. Alm1ry's does. I
didn't s'pose they'd think of riggin' the
children out in 'em to wear to church.
I'll bet Mis- Spooner's done it a pur-
pose"
Mrs. Spooner had "done it a pur-