Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1891-05-14

I
| after supper. when the party was about tx
break up, 1.-The proceed OF this ere dona.
ton amounts to twenty-seven bushels O
beans, three turkeys, big two bushel:
Of potatoes, and large amount of cloth
ing. and some other things. In behalf of
the Elder and his folks, thank you fol
your iberality.
Your kindness is appreciated by hin
and his, and feel certain, and am sure
his heart and hands is strengthened by
this evidence of fellowship on your part
Truly, as the psalmist says, 1T is more
blessed to give than to receive"
Il cordially endorse the sentiment from
the receivers standpoint" said Mrs.
Spooner, as they looked over the PRO
ceeds'' of the donation party when they
were alone. Just look at the collection OF
old clothes, Henry. l suggest you.give up
preaching and move to the city, and start
in business as bean broker, and I'll run
an old clothes store. We'd be stocked up
to begin with.
What will you do with the stuff?
led the minister turning over old jack
els, aprons and other articles Of clothing
with commercial look of dismay on his
face at the formidable collection
II think | shall make about hundred
yards of rag carpet" answered Mrs.
Spooner. That about all good deal
of it is fit fer
One afternoon in the following week the
minister sat down to prepare a sermon 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, a
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 there was
any sale for beans there. He had twenty
five bushels to dispose of, at a low price,
adding that it had been great year for
beans in Scragsby Corners When Sun
day morning came Mrs. Spooner sent her
husband on to church ahead of her,
under the plea that she had not got her
children quite ready. Don't wait for me,
Henry" she said, ''or you may be
late. Well get there in time for the SER
mon"
He was reading chapter when the fam
lily arrived. He had reached the verse in
which the lily of the valley is spoken Of
and the words rolled off generously from
his tongue just as the door opened and
Mrs Spooner, followed by her children,
filed slowly and impressively in Verify,
| say unto you, Solomon in all his glory
was not arrayed like one of these" AS he
finished the verse, he looked up at the adj
vancing arrivals, and the spectacle that
met his eyes tested his power of self-con-
troll more than anything he has ever ex
perienced he afterward told his wife. His
mouth twitched, and q smile fickered
about his eyes, but he managed to keep the
grin that would have appeared at the
faintest encouragement.
Such a''sight! The eldest girl was ar
rayed in Almiry's cast-of dress Of navy
blue, with some other polonaise of red.
Her sister was respondent in dress of
Scotch plaid pattern of most gorgeous
colors, originally, but now somewhat sub
duei by time, but still vivid, and over it
she wore a jacket, about three sizes too
small for her, the picturesque costume be-
ing topped off by hat trimmed with old
ribbon, freshly died very bright magenta
color. The oldest boy had a pair of
trousers which fairly dragged at the heels,
and a Jacket that was long enough for an
cvercoat, while the other boy wore trous-
ers so short that they failed to meet the
top of a pair of bright blue stockings,
while his jacket refused to keep company
with the TOP of his trousers. Each article
had d peculiar color of its own, and the
cidedly picturesque.
The minister had no inkling of what
his wife intended to do, and the sight Of
his family so upset him for a moment that
he read the verse he had just finished over
again T. Verify, | say unto you, even
Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed
like one of these A very audible litter
went through the younger portion of the
congregation. Some even laughed aloud.
Mrs. Wade looked at Mrs. Pettigrew to
see what that estimabe woman seemed to
think of the proceeding, but she couldn' t
catch her eye. She was too busily en-
gagged il following the Scripture lesson to
look at any one.
"I'Il bet she's mad though" thought
Mrs. Wade One of them jackets and one
of them trousers came from her. | dun
no, though, as they look any worse than
that dress of Almiry's does. I didn't
suppose they d think of rigging the child.
ren out in 'em to wear to church. III
bet that Mrs. Spooner done it purpose"
Mrs. Spooner had done it purpose
as she admitted TO her husband on their
way bone Il don't think you ought to
have done it, SUSIE" he said gravely, but
there was a laugh in his eye as he said it,
as he looked at the group ahead.
perhaps not" was his wife's reply,
''but | wanted them to see the striking
effect resulting from their generosity. OF
course they can't get angry about it since
they gave the clothes to be worn. l do
think it'll have one good effect, and that
is, that old clothes won't be one Of the i'm
portant. features of the next donation party
here"
Mrs. Spooner was right. When the
next donation Fparty occurred not one Old
garment was donated Mr.. Spooner at
last succeeded in disposing of the beans,
but ne had to do so alta sacrifice, on ac-
count of its having been such great
year for beans at Scragsby Corners"
thai they overstocked the market.-Yan
Blade.
THE PATAGONIA BOLAs.
In an Experts Hands as Deadly as the Coil
of a Snake.
Next to the boomerang in point of sin
-. De-,