News and citizen. [volume] (Morrisville, Vt. ;) 1881-current, 1891-01-01
THE DONATION PARTY.

we jest go III neaNy on them things.
Deacon Spears made the announce
ment to the new minister with an air
of stating the possession of a great
moral virtue peculiar to the people of
Scragsby Corners.
Il have never found donation
parties very satisfactory" said the
minister. Il would prefer having a
stated salary, and having it paid in
cash"
wall, yes, s'pose yewould," said
the deacon. "That's what all the
ministers say. But, We see, 'twont
hardly do, here in Scragsby Corners"
"Why not?" asked the minister.
so, they've got in the habit of
havin' donations, and they expect
'em, ye see" replied the deacon, IAN
they'd feel sorter offended eff
preacher sot his foot down an said
he wouldn't have 'em. Some folks
give suthin' in that way that wouldn't
give nOthin' in cash, an we're bound
to git out O the c'mmunity that we
can, We see"
My experience has been that
great deal of what people bring to
donation party is worthless or use
less. sHtd the minister.
"Wall, yes, l s'pose So" assented
the deacon. But 'twouldn't do to
kick ag'in' donations on that ac-
count here. Ye'd have the folks down
on We in no time"
Well, then" said the poor minis
ter with a sigh of resignation to the
inevitable, II suppose it will have to
be-" He thought of his last dona-
tion party with its dozen loads OF
dOZy half-rOtten stove wood: wood
which was worthless to the donors,
because it had been cut so long that
it was unstable, and which they
would never have thought of using
at home. More than once his wite's
temper had been sorely tried with the
miserable stuff, and she had threat
ened making n bonfire of the whole
lot, and probably y would have carried
the threat into execution if she had
had any idea that it could have been
coaXed to burn itself up.
Dear me' exclaimed Mrs. Spoon
er, in dismay, when her husband told
her that a donation party was being
talked up. 81 did hope we might es-
cape the inflictiOn when wecame here.
| don't think was ever more veXed
than | was the morning after the last
one. There wasn't a room in the
| house fit to use until it had been
cleaned. There was half a chocolate
cake between the pillows on the par
lor bed; pie in the bureau, and some
one had cmptied a plate of baked
beans behind the sofa. 1t took me
| all of two weeks to get Strengthened
around. And now that we have just
cot settled, there's to be another.
It's too bad, but | don't know that
we can help ourselves, since a minis
ter and his family are considered OBJ
iects of charity, and, therefore,
obliged to take up with whatever the
people see fit to give them, without
| the chance to say word for them
selves"
a donation party will be held at
| Elder SpOOner's next Thursday even
| ing. the Lord willin' and it is hoped
ev'ry bOdy'll turn out, an bring
suthin' for the sport of the gospil,
Deacon Spears announced one Sab
bath morning after service. 1.-The
Lord loves a cheerful giver," he add
ed, in a sort of postscript, after which
he blew his nose vigorously on Il
great red and white bandanna, in n
manner that suggested applause over
the neat way in which the announce
ment had been made, and then sat
down. Immediately there was buzz
ann ouG the female portion of the con-
gregation, and littlegroups of women
put their heads together and began
discussing what to carry in the shape
of eatables; while the men got to
gether in the vestibule of the church
and consulted with each other what
they were to "donate."
"Ireckon I'll take beans this year,
said Mr.. Wade. Its been grea
wear for beans. | hain't raised 81
big a crop emmy year since 50 S
can recOllect. | can give 'em beam
'thout feelin' it much"
$50 can |, ," said Mr.. Pettigrew. "
got n jofred big crop off'n the side
hill lot. | guess I'll take beans, too
can spare 'em better'n enythin.
else, an they amt a-goin' to sell fe
much this year, cause they're s.
plenty"
"I've II good notion to take som
O. my Almiry's clO'es," said Mrs
Deacon Spears to Mrs. Pettigrew
"She's outgrow'd 'em, but they
lest about fit the elders Oldest girl,
should ledge, an they're most a
good as new, some on 'em. Go
don't spOse Mis- SpOoner' feel pu
out about it, do you now, Mis- PETIT
grew" ,,.,
81 can't see why she should, +,
sponded Mrs. Pettigrew. "Clo'es
cio'es an minister's folks hadn'
ought to git mad at what's give
'em as long as they hev to depend o
, us for IA livin', Tain't as if the
. could afford TO be independent,
t know. | s'pose | might take som
= Jackets and trowsis that air gettlr
: putty snug for the boys. will .yo
e conclude to take some o Almlly
e dresses, Miss Spears.
> The evening of the donation part
came. The first arrival ut the pa
a sonage was Mr.. Wade. He met til
y minister who came to the door I
answer his knock, with q two-hush'