The record-union., 1894-08-18

CHARITY nave gOI 10 qu ulb nOIutIl L16lI uSdtAS
so high, eatin' up iolks' substance and
givin' Dothin' but sounds and words and
sham, or erybody'n turn inhdel and
religionhater 'fore long! Oh, h-h-h!'
she continued in a frenzy OF denuncla-
ton, III l had my way, sir, I'd change
all this with bang!"
The clergyman had managed to get into
the vesubule. Clinging to the door knob
on one side, while Aunt Mirandy held
fast to the other, he was gently endeayor-
ing to close the door and bow himself
out. Being III manner on the outer
and safe side of the incident, he ventured
with some little satire TO inquire:
And il Miss Trigtidy had her way
how would she improve matters?"
She began improving them by giving
the door spiteful pushes, which her rev.
erend visitor gently returned, and, be-
tween these rapid openings and meas
ured closings, various propositions of a
practical and emphatic nature reached
both the suave clergyman and the trem-
bling Trigtidys on the basement stair
way.
I'D get ofmy high horses-that's what
I'd dol''
Always good thing to do," returned
the clergyman blandly.
''Pd quit piling up church mortgages;
that's what I'd doi'
Good again. was the response as the
door softly swayed ba upon Aunt Mi
randy.
"Pd quit gettin' long-haired foreigners
for organists, operate singers for choir
SolOists and millionaire nobodys for
ushers; that's another thing I'd do." This
with an usually vigorous push of the
door.
':Ah?' floated back with the gentle
swinging Of the door.
les; an and 'ah' again. sir; and I'd
take oil some Of my fine duds, get out Of
my carriage, get along with one girl in
the kitchen, and get down alongside
them that needs comtortin'; that's what
I'd do, too, sirn'
''You would certainly be blessed if you
could do all that, Miss Trigtidy."
"Would, would /? Yes, [ would, and
SO would you-gettin' right down among
the sore ANA the needy and the lame and
the halt and the blind, without any long
face, or airs, or PM better-than-yo you-be
about it. either!"
The clergyman had by this time got the
outer door open, and he could therefore
most cOmposedly ask:
Like all true re1ormers, you speak
from experience, l hope?"
'Huh!-from settin' under your preach
in for twenty year, she retorted tiercely;
land from lookin' around that church
and just boilin' over all the time be-
cause"
because all the rest of us were not at
that precise moment toiling in the slums,
presume? Very natural, very. We are
not tar part i'll all these matters, Miss
Irigtidy. Good inorningp'
IneXpressible scorn, mingled with a
slight tinge of humiliation, nlantled Aunt
Mirandy's flaming face.
She slammed the door defiantly behind
the departing clergyman and rested
moment against the huge-carved newell
post to recover her breath.
He's little right, and Pm more n
right" she painted retlectively. Lord!
l wish l was man and ministerr'
Here Mrs. Trigtidy's hand sought her
husbands 5 with firm pressure OF APP
proval.
''Bnt 'tain't too late! 'Taint too late.
Here I've been holdin' this house and
home together for twenty year, with
Triplebob a noodle and Clara a ninny.
Here I've been holdin' that church to-
gether for twenty year, ana that preacher
a peSky time server. The rest of my life
I'll do some good with my own money to
them that's under my own nose, my own
way!'
'''rhat means US, Clara!'' whispered
Mr.. Trigtidy, gratitled at the apparently
fortunate outcome and proud OF his fine
foresight.
Il won't wait day. [ won't wait an
hour. rll begin this very minute"
''Graciousp' whispered MIR. Vrigtidy to
his spouse. Pm glad Pm late to busi-
ness this morning. We'Il be right here
together when she's in the humor"
With this he began cranlng his neck
above the banisters and clearing his
throat as If to speak, but his more Cauti-
Gus wife silenced him with gesture Of
protest.
This minuteI" repeated Aunt Miriam
dy Yehemently. Among the millions
in this great city | eau certainly seek out
and succor some Of the vicious aud dis
tressed."
Mr.. Trigtidy's luminous face was sud-
denly clouded with a grimace OF disap-
pointment and chagriu.
II don't care how low they be. I'll lift
'em up by bein' humble; bein' like 'en
by doin' like 'enl: by actin like eIn, till
they're weaned from the downward path.
Lord! If [ only was a man and minis
ter! But heaven be praised! Pm a
woman anu can stir things up. This
very minute 'lI star. the stirrin'"
she scaInpered up the stairs with unu-
sual VlgOr. returned shortly in her plain
est street attire and with a happy face
disappeared into the street, leaving the
perplexed VrigtidyS the temporary free
'Wou, well, Clara" murmured Trigti-
dy retiectlFely ana yet mpasslonately
TO his wife, we've stood it so long now
l hope you'll make tile best of it; there 3
a dear. us too much 10 lose!"
"1ripleDob," she returned closing her
eyes discouragedly, we've stood it so
long ii's too much To lIeep"
But events were already rapidly shap-
ing toward unexpected relief TOR the
Trlgtidy household.
Aunt Mirandy having gained the street,
gratefully smiled the fresh morning
breeze waited gently up from the great
river and gaily exclaimed:
. feel better anyhow. Decidin' to do
something's new life if You don't even
know what the something ist''
She wore such>a bright face and stepped
out with so elated gait that many look ed
up at her with something akin TO kind
ing recognition and smiles.
Pears like everybody knows Just
what Pm goin' to do, and glad of it.n she
reflected as she caught The subtle human
sympathy.
Lots OF good people in the world yet.
amt they now?'' she asked herself in
the tone Of original discovery and in
quiry.
Il should think there was. thought
she as heartily answered. IF we'd all
get together at doin' common everyday
good stead of turEin' it over to the
churches Tor corporation religion, shut
tin our eyes to results, mebbe runnin'
churches ii be easier for the ministers
and 'twouldn't be so plaguey hard to
save sinners. Mebby there wouldn't be
so many sinners TO worry over, eitherl'
With these and similar reflections Aunt