The Laurens advertiser. (Laurens, S.C.) 1885-1973, 1893-09-26

THE DONATION PARTY.

Deacon Spears made this announce
mentt TO the new minister, with an air
of great moral virtue peculiar to the
people of Scragsby Corners.
II have never found donation
parties very satisfactory" said the
minister. II would greatly prefer hav-
Ing a stated salary and having it paid
in cash."
"Wall, yes, 1 s'pose you would"
said the deacon. "That's what all
the ministers say. But we see it won't
do here In Scragsby Corncrs."
why not z" said the minister.
90, they've got in the habit of
havin' donations, and they'd feel sorter
offended If a preacher set his foot
down and said he wouldn't have them.
Some people give suthin' in that way
that wouldn't give nothin' in cash, and
we're bound to get all out of the com
mun1ty that we can, you see"
my experience has been that q
great deal OF what people bring to q
donation party is worthless or useless"
said the minister.
Wall, yes, l s'pose So" assented
kick ag'in donations on that account
here. You'd have the folks here down
on you"
in dismay, when her husband told her
that u donation party was being gotten
escape the inhiction when we came
here. don't think l was ever more
vexed than | was the morning after
the last one. There wasn't q room in
the house fit to use until it had Deer
cleaned. There was half O chocolate
cake between the pillows on the parlor
bed, and some one had emptied O plate
OF baked beans behind the sofa. 1t
took me all of two weeks to get
Strengthened around and now that
we've just got settled, there's to be
another. It's too bad, but | don't
know that we can help ourselves, since
u minister and his wife are considered
objects of charity, and therefore
obliged to take up whatever the people
see fit to give them without the chance
to say q word themselves"
"a donation party will be held at
Elder Spooner's next Thursday even
ing, the Lord willin,' and it is hoped
everybody will turn out, and bring
somethin' for the support Of the gospel"
Deacon Spears announced, one Sab
cheerful giver," he added in a sort of
postscript.
Immediately there was a buzz in the
female portion of the congregation,
and little groups of women put their
heads together and began discussing
what to carry in the shape of eatables:
while the men got together in the
vestibule and consulted with each
other on what they were to "donate."
u reckon I'll take beans, this year."
said Mr.. Wade. cts been u great
year for beans. 1 ha'nt raised so big u
crop any year since '65, as | can recol-
Loot 90 nix,o hooro yutfl~r% fool;sy
it much"
$50 car l." said Mr.. Pettigrew.
- raised a big crop off of the sidehill
lot. l guess I'll take beans, too. [
can spare EN- better than anything
else, n they amt a-going to sell for
much this year" Several others who
listened to their conversation conclud-
ed to take beans also, for it had been
. great year for beans in Scragsby
Corners.
i've got a good notion to take some
o my Almiry's clothes, "said Mrs. Dea-
con Spears to Mrs. Pettigrew. "She's
O%utgrOwed them, but they'd Just about
tit the preachers Oldest girl, I should
judge, and they're most as good as
new, some of 'em. You don't s'pose
Mrs. Spooner would feel put out about
it, do you, Mrs. P%ettigrew
u can't see why she should. 'Ta'nt
as If ministers could afford to be indie
pendent, you know. | s'pose I might
take some jackets and trousers that
are getting pretty snug for the boys.
will, If you conclude to take some o.
Almiry's dresses, Mrs. Spears" said
Mrs. Pettigrew.
Wall, then, s'pposc we do" re-
sponded Mrs. Pcttigrew.'
The evening of the donation party
came. The first arrival at the parson-
age was Mr.. Wade. He met the minis
ter who came to the door in answer to
his knock, with u two-bushel bag full
of something on his shoulder.
How'd do, Parson ! Beautiful night
for the donation, amt it ?' was his
greeting, as he shook hands with the
minister. 1--WE brought some beans
for ye. Fust-rate beans, too, you'll
find. Beans is healthy livin.' | was
raised on them. Nothin' better for the
children"
You can put them in the wood
she'd said MI. SpoOner.
Just then Mr.. and Mrs. P~ettigrew
drove up. "Hello, Parson, good %even',"
called out Nh. Pettigrew. "I've got
some beans here for We where'll you
have 'em put? ?"
Sin the woodshed," said the minis
ter, with a smile at his wife. "It's
going to be beans this year., my dear"
in q whisper. Then other arrivals
followed in rapid succession, and at
least three out of every four brought
beans. 1--we counted fourteen bushels
already" whispered the minister to
his wife, about eight o'clock, land
still there's more to follow"
Its old clothes in my part of the
house." said Mrs. SpOoner. 81 do be-
lieye there's enough to last the child
rem until they are all grown up, if
they'd fit till that time. lean imagine
the appearance they'd make in them.
No two alike, and probably not one
that would fit one of the children. It's
too provoking for anything. If it
wasn't for making the people mad,
I'd sell the whole lot for rags to the
first rag-peddler that comes along"
Brothers, and sisters, and friends,
and neighbours" announced Deacon
Spears, after supper, when the party
was about to break up, "the proceeds
OF this ERE donation amounts to twenty
seven bushels OF beans, three turkeys,
pig, two bushels of potatoes, and q
large amount Of clothing, and some
other things. In behalf Of the Parson
n his folks, L thank you for your
l~iberality. Your kindness is a~ppreciat-
ed by him and his, and | feel sartin,
and I'm sure his heart and hands is
strengthened by the evidence of fellow
ship OF your part. Truly, as the Psal-
mist says, 1t is more blessed to give
than to receive
~ cordially indorse the sentiment
from the receivers standpoint" said
Mrs. Spooner, as they looked over the
proceeds" OF tho donation party |