South Branch intelligencer. [volume] (Romney, Va. [W. Va.]) 1830-1896, 1892-04-08

"She': mighty independent for .
ministers wife,
Ibid not like the manner nor the
remark Of my friend and % kept 81
lent. Soon there was light step
on the stair, the rustic Of garments
near the door, and Mrs. Gilmore en-
tered the room where We were sit
ting. She received us kindly. but
not with worldly expressions. There
was . mild, soft light in her eyes,
and pleasant smile on her deli
cately-arching lips. We entered in
conversation which was Q little con-
strained on her part but whether
this was from GOODNESS or diffidence,
l could not decide. / think she
did not, from some cause, feel en-
tirely at ease. A remark in the
conversation gave my companion
the opportunity to say what / think
she had come to say.
"That leads me to suggest, Mrs.
Gilmore, that, as our minister's
wife, you hold yourself rather too
far at distance. You will pardon
me for saying this, but as it is right
that you should know how we feel
on the subject, l have taken the
liberty of being frank with you.
VI course | mean no offense, and
am sure you will not be hurt at an
intimation given in all kindness"
i looked for a flash from Mrs.
Elmore's bright eyes, for red spots
on her cheeks, for q quick CULVER
ing of her flexible lips but none
OF these signs of feeling were appa-
rent. Calmly shs looked into the
face OF her monitor, and when the
above sentence was com ple.ed an
swered in quiet tone of voice
81 thank you for having spoken
so plainly. OF course am not of
Tended. But / regret to learn that
any one has found cause of com
plant against me. j have not
meant to be cold or distant but
my home duties are many and va
rious, and take m ost of my time
and thoughts
But, my dear ma'am," was an
swered to this, with some warmth,
you forget that, for a woman in
your position, there are duties be-
You'd the home circle which may not
be omitted"
''Iu my positionv' Mrs. Elmore's
calm eyes rested on the face of my
companion with look of inquiry.
81 am not sure that l understand
you ?"
"You are the wife of our minis
ter ?"
81 am aware Of that. / thought
saw twinkle in Mrs. Elmore' q
eyes
"Well, ma'am, doesn't that in
volve some duties beyond the mar
row circle of homo ?''
Ono more than the fact that you
being merchants wife involves
you in obligations that reach be.
yond the circle Of your home. My
husband is your minister, and as
such you have claims upon him.
think he is doing his duty earnestly
and conscientiously. There are inn,
portant sonls committed to my care,
and am endeavoring to train them
up for heaven"
81 think you misapprehend your
relation to the Church," was repli.
ed to this, but not in the confident
manner in which the lady had first
spoken.
al have no relation to the Church
in any way different from yours, o,
that of other ladies in the cOngre-
CATION" said Ms. Gilmore, with 9
decision of tone that showed her tc
be in earnest.
"But you forget, madam, thai
you are the minister's wife,"
"Not for q moment. / am the
minister's wife, but not the minis
ter. He is servant Of the congre
cation, but / am not"
/ glanced toward my friend, and
saw that she looked bewildered and
at fault. think some new ideas
were coming into her mind.
"Then, il / understand you,''
she said, "you are not interested in
the spiritual welfare of your hus
bands congregation"
"On the contrary" replied Mrs.
Elmore, "I feel deeply interested,
And / also feel interested In the
welfare of other congregations,
But j am only a wife and q mother
and my chief duties are at home.
II, time permitting, ] can help any
good work outside OF my home,
will put my hand to it cheerfully
But home obligations are first with
me. 1t is my husbands duty tc
minister in spiritual things, not
mine. He has engaged to preach
for you, to administer the ordinan-
ces of the Church, and to do faith.
fully oil things required by his of
fee. SO far as / know he gives sat
/ isfaction."
ooh, dear, yes indeed, he gives
satisfaction % was the reply to this.
Nobody has word to say against
him"
A smile of genuine pleasure lit
mp the face Of Mrs. Elmore. She
sat very still for a moment, and
then, with the manner Of one who
had drawn back her thoughts from
something agreeable, she said
u