The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1894-12-27
AN EXPERIMENT..

Mftilda. It's aginst the Scrlptures, and
IL amt. right" said Caleb Brown to his
wife.
1T amt sg'inst tho Scriptures to only
them that won't believe. II the Lord has
revealed tho day Of his coming to the faith
ful ones, doesn't It become them to be
readyf Amt that Scripture, Caleb
Brownf"
The next night there was a meeting.
and Caleb went to 1t. The eldorwaxed
eloquent an he described the glories of tho
ascension and tho terrible destruction Of
tho impenitent. Women sobbcd bysteric-
ally, and children olung to their parents
In fear.
He's erazy's loon and ought to be
shnt up" thought Caleb.
Mrs Brown was very quiet all tho way
home.
Il don't want TO lcavo you behind, Ca
leb, /" she said as thoy sat before the Gre.
you'll never need to II you don't leave
me till you go that wny," he replied.
All the next day Caleb seemed more
disturbed than ever. He leaned on the
hoo handle when at work and talked to
himself while milking. He had faithfully
titled his farm. although Mrs. Brown had
protested against the waste of labor, as
they would not need the products. She
did not dry apples nor make preserves as
usual.
"It'l be dry eating without them next
winter" said Caleb
He miiked the cows that evening. think
Ing aloud, as usual.
IL think be''-mcaning tho elder
won't be In tonight, and I'll speak TO
Matilda about It, She always was little
mite jealous Of Sophy James, though she
was not SO much to blame, after all, for
wanting to get married. No woman Is.
They arc better off, say"
Caleb went into the house with the pail
OF milk and ats his supper as usual. Mrs.
Brown washed the dishes and drew hcr low
rocker up to the sewing table. The even
iDgs worc chilly, and bright fire burned
In the fireplace, Its ruddy glow eclipsing
tho tallow candle that burned on the sew
Ing table.
Matilda. when is that ascension to
como Off" asked Caleb.
Tho 28th-that's three weeks from to-
morrow-and we are going over to Hem
lock hill to watch for the Lords coming
from there. do hope you'll be ready. Ca
leb."
"I'm ready now without going over to
Hemlock HILL" replied Caleb, but there
before tho time comes"
what Is itr" sho asked.
~ wish you would learn Sophy James
how to cook. calculate It's going TO be
quite q space of time between tho ascen-
sion and the destruction Of tho world. The
Lord warned the Sodomites several times,
and guess ho will do as much for us.
Now, don't want to live here alone, and
no woman can cook ms you do without be-
Ing learned"
You've always bad good viotuals, II !
did cook them" interrupted Mrs. Brown,
not y, seeing the drift of Caleb's remarks.
II .now &c, Matilda, and / don't find
any fault, only as you are going away
wish you would learn Sophy. She is
good housekceper, but not much of q cook.
SO l have been told. think of getting
her to como and livowith me after you go. :"
Caleb Brownln Matilda let fall tho
white robe she was sewing on and stood
before him. You'll wait till have as
ccndcd before you bring another woman
into tho house, a simpering old maid like
Sophy Jamcsl'
"Sho amt to blame for being an old
maid, Matilda. She has tried hard enough
To got married, and thought you would
rather have her than young woman.
had"
You won't need to get anybody for the
present" said Matilda.
No moro was said that evening. Caleb
went out TO thAbarn and then took down
the Bible for layer, as was his custom.
Mrs Brown was too excited 10 talk or
sleep. She went around the house the
noxt day more absorbed even than Caleb
had been She went to the front room
closet and took out her best china An
uncle had given it to hor on her wedding
day. Not a piece had been broken or
cracked In her 80 years Of housekeeping.
She lifted one OF the shell cups.
"Sophy James!' sho said scornfully.
ut will bo long timo before she uses my
dishes If she waits for me TO ascend. They
would get married before was out OF
sight" continued Mrs. Brown, forgetting
for the moment the terrible destruction
that was to fall upon the impenitent lit
Is wonder to mo he didn't marry her
years ago. and, he would have dono so,
only she wouldn't give him chance 10 do
his own courting. Caleb was always n mas
ter hand to have his say"
Mrs. Brown went back to the kitchen
and sat down with very sober face. Sho
began TO cry, and sho rocked and sobbod
spasmodically, like tempest that passes
over and returns.
Caleb camo in for drink OF water.
What's tho matter. Matildaf" he asked
ITO think" sobbod Matilda THAT you
should want Sophy James to keep house
for you while ] am lvingl'
Caleb did not hoo any more that morn
ing. In tho evening neighbor called on
her way to church and found him aud his
wife busy pairing apples.
We nrc not going this evening" said
Mrs. Brown. ~ am behind with my pre-
serving, and Cnleo is helping me pare APP
pies so can make cider apple sauce"
Mis- Brown, exclaimed tho ncighbor,
you amt n goin To backslide jest as the
timo is drawin nigh, air your"
Il am going co tnko my chances with |
Caleb" answered Mrs. Brown.
The neighbcr went her way and report |
ed Mrs. Browns backslidden state. Tho |
next night tho elder called to expostulate |
with her. Caleb was chopping peppers, |
and whether it was Mrs. Brown lost state |