Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1894-05-07
Bette, the Sexton.


Mrs. Burke stood beside the rude
single bed, and waited for the slow
breakingup of her daughters morn
ing slumbers.
"Your pa didn't get home until at
ter midnight, and when he did Gomez
go mother! had he been drinking
again?" asked the girl, now wide
awake and sitting up in bed.
eyes," sighed Mrs. Burke, de-
spondently. "You'l have to go over
and get Ben Haynes to do the church
work today. It's swapping cold and
the fire'n have to be made early to
get the church warm enough, so you
must hurry"
eyes mother. Get me the keys. [
will be downstairs in a minute"
Bette dressed herself quickly and
with serious face. Hurrying down
stairs to the kitchen, she tarried long
enough to don hood and cloak, de-
Ginning meanwhile the ssbite O. break
fast'' that her mother urged upon
her, and only half needing the direc-
ton that Deacon Mcneil should be
called upon if Ben Haynes could not
be found. Then, taking bunch of
keys from the table, she started,
pausing at the door to say. 81 won't
be back till after Sunday school,
mother. Don't worry about me. Pm
going to do pas work to-day; he'll
lose the job if they find out he's been
drinking" And Bette was away be-
fore her mother could utter a word of
protest.
When Jim Burke's wife was dis
abled by rheumatism some months
before, her earnings as laundress to
some of the more thrifty families of
the community ceased. The loss was
a serious matter; for, since Jim, as
day laborer, was not noted for special
dexterity, and his usefulness was
further impaired by the unfortunate
drinking habit that occasionally caus-
ed his prolonged absence from duty,
his work was not a source of regular
or abundant supply. And, though
the simple needs of the family did not
exceed his income, the unfinished
payment for their little cottage de-
manded a persistent effort of which
poor, weak Jim seemed incapable.
Bette began her work at the church
with much confidence in herself as
substitute official. She found a de-
ightful demonstration of her power
in the atmosphere of the audience
room steadily growing warm after her
vigorous efforts with the furnace. But
her courage ebbed as she entered the
chapel in the rear of the church. Jim's
Saturday afternoons were always
given to restoring Sabbath order
there. Now the silent wall clock, the
darkened windows, and the dust and
arrangement from the mid week ses-
sions betokened the depth of his neg
lect.
The time was too short for the floor
to be swept before Sabbath school,
which convened after the morning
service. Comparative neatness was
all she could achieve; she would come
back after dinner and restore the
the six o'clock chapel service.
Ten O'Clock found the sturdy Bette
in the tower room under the belfry,
both hands clinching the thick rope,
and her heart beating SO loudly that
she wondered whether she could hear
the Methodist bell.
1t was the only other church bell in
the little town; and it must be her
signal, in want of a ime-piece.
Suddenly it rang. Bette pulled her
rope, but without producing sound.
Desperation gave her strength. She
bent forward in a mighty effort.
Cl-ang! Cl-ang! Cl-ang!
Bette bent her head in terrified GER
tainty that the sonorous metal had
left its yoke and was descending upon
her.
Clang! sounded the distant bell.
Bette essayed responsive stroke
that resulted in a strange and uncer
tain sound. She grew hot and dizzy,
but she had no thought of giving up.
Again her guide-Clang! Clang!
And now a slow and steady pull
brought out a tone more powerful
and sustained.
ssI hope our friend James is not
wrestling with his old adversary this
morning. meditated Parson Brown
ell, carefully placing his manuscript
in his breast pocket as he stood by his