Idaho news. (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1887-1891, 1891-10-10

y stopping at a little
town on the northern shores OF good
old Lake Michigan, where it was never
too hot or too cold.
We were CHARTERED at the hospitable
home OF Mrs, Hopkins, a hostess de-
voted to our pleasure and to the
wants OF the elmer man" We were
seventy-fve miles from railroad, a
telephone, a door-bell, or anything
else that could interrupt a perfect
rest. We rowed on the little bay,
fished in its waters, drove through the
woods, swung in the hammock, made
pine pillows, read, talked, meditated
rested, and did Just what we pleased
all day long.
The mother OF some of us was the
mother to al OF us. Her flesh was
often too much for her spirit, and she
begged of from active exercise, con
signing Us 70 the oversight OF Miss
Dodd, a Young lady no longer as young
in years as in warnings. She was a
teacher. and hence supposed to know
everything, and TO be perfectly respon-
sible, nos only for herself, but for
every one within range OF her bright
eye and pointed finger.
She was lively and witty, had a
good voice ana never in any way in
terfered with chr fun unless we carried
it TO Jar, and then her conscience did
duty for the whole party. She was
an ardent. active churchwoman, and
had become much interested in lone
little church mission school in ham,
let called Creekton ten miles away
through the woods.
1t was proposed we should all 90
over to visit this school some Sunday.
We would start early, take our lunch,
and come home in the frightening
shadows OF the afternoon.
OF course every one was pleased
with such good Sunday plan, even
the colonel bachelor OF leisure, who
was ostensib.y visiting Fred Greer,
one OF our party, but really in very
sly way, renewing an old-time ac-
quaintance with Miss Dodd. We
were on the scent of this at once, but
were seriously enough interested in
both parties 10 respect the affair and
await developments.
az AAG--N t-tAAANAfty was AA-hIaA - pun
for our visit, and proved every way
most auspicious. The ride was de-
lightful through pine woods and along
by prosperous farms. 4 Sunday
hush rested over everything and
quoted even us. We reached the for
lorn little town about 10 O'Clock, and
stopped as We had been directed to
do at Squire Simkins.
Now, we had expected to find the
Squire's home a large square house,
probably white, located on a hill in
weli-kept grounds, thanked by -four
ishing fields and generous orchards.
Imagine our disappointment to find
it a log house on the edge OF the town,
shaded by one lone tree, and environed
by potato patch and q cornfeldl
The barn was nearest the road,
we stopped in it's shadow and sent
Miss Dodd to spy out the land. She
soon returned, Saying that the Squire,
beingindisposed, had stayed "to hum, -
but ''maw" had gone to church.
We followed her example, finding
the building without trouble, it being
the only place of worship in the town.
1t was q monument to zeal and energy
of two faithful women, who had start.
ed the enterprise, and were carrying ii
on almost unaided. The nearest mis-.
sionary was fifteen miles away. When
he happened to have a horse to use he
came to this place once a month, but
often several months would elapge be
tween visits, as was the case at this
time. With what help Miss Dodd and
some other friends down in the world
Ixn. M L, Il
been able to buy an old cot,
tage which had been converted
into a little chapel. By doing sewing
on orders sent them, by making rag
carpets, bed4uilts, bags and aprons
by putting UP preserves, stripping
pine needles, and various other things
they had accumulated sufficient mon.
ey TO furnish it's barest necessities
The seats were only pine boards with
out any backs, but everything was
perfectly neat, and as fitting as il
could be. There was not man in the
place who had sufficient piety or ener
Nv to lift finger to help; the womer
did everything, from shoveling tho
snow and carrying wood to kindle The
fire, to teaching the children and read
ing the service.
They were Just opening the schoo
when we arrived. About twenty-five
children from to 15 years OF age, al
poor but neatly clad, were assembled
and seemed not only interested but
eager TO learn They recited the cate
chism in q manner / never heard ex
celled, and answered the questions
that were asked in way that showed
conscientious, intelligent teachings.
We chatted with the good woman
gained all the information and gav'
what encouragement we could, thef
drove away, sobered by the impress
sion we had received, and resolved t.
do something TO help the work.
The result OF our resolution was K