Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1894-05-11

I inc neeule 10 vulgar nanuSj SO
great was tue demand upon her
skill. New bonnets, fesrfully and
wonderfully made, came by express
from "the city," and the FIVE Miss
81 Marden excited unparalleled
envy by appearing IN pink dress
es.
There had never been such a sue
cessful minister before; nobody
their pastor no longer
But his wife pleaded earnes tly
pleaded to stay amidst the danger,
and touching his heart by her
sweet Christian spirit brought him
at last to consent.
And at dawn the Two went forth
upon their mission. In their selfish
horror kinsfolk fled from each
other. Sisters shrunk from those
who had been nursed at the same
breast; children deserted their
parents, and friends grew brutal to
each other, but those Two yonng
creatures never swerved from their
appointed task; like ministering
angels they went from house to
house, aiding the weary physician,
supporting the mothers failing
courage, heaping Goals Of fire on
the heads OF the Fdrmingvale peo-
PIE. Sometimes they were together,
but more frequently apart; there
was so much to DO. When they
could they met in the old parSUn
age, but often they were separated
for several days. But their prayers
followed each other always. 1t was
a trying time, bat they were very
faithful and courageous. Some of
these who had been most cruel to
Ann Bartlett were her patients
now, aud lay helpless as infaDts
while she watched over them.
When, saye for her, no friend
had watched beside the couch OF
loathesome disease; hen her own
hands rObed the dead infant for its
last sleep; when she sat all night in
the death.rCom, and it was known
to all what mission she had taken
upon herself, wonder filed the
village, and in a little while there
arose to heaven many feryent pray.
ers tor Ann Bartlett and her hus
band.
All through the winter the pesti.
lence ragged, then, when so many
homes were left desOate, 1t began
to abate, and on May day tho
church bell was rung to tell the
people that the dread disease was
stalel.
But before night sad news was
carried around the village. She
who had watched with the sick,
who had closed the eyes Of the dead,
who had been so gentle and patient, {,
was smitten, now that she was no
longer needed.
The windows of the parsonage
were darkened, and silence as OF
death reIgned throughout its
rooms, for the angel of the house
lay treT bling on the margin of the
grave. another pastor preached
on this Sabbath in Farmlngvale,
aud all knew well why he was
there. Arthur Bartlett watched
beside his darIing'a bel, aud never
left it day or night.
Then the hearts Of those to whom
she had minIstered went up in
prayer that she might be spared
to them and TO him; end their
prayers were ansvered-Ann Bart.
lett lived.
Arthur Bartlett Is still the pastor
in FarmlDgvale, for the penitent
people will not part witt him.
Through his wife, his cherished
wish has come to pass; and in his
parish there is only one more loved
and revered than the minister
now white. haired and venerable
and that one is the minister's wife.
The excitement lasted all the
week, and was still strong on the
next Sabbath, when a young girl
walked up the church aisle with
the minister, and the Farmingvale
girls looked upon face so lovely
that none of them could resort
to the usual course of declariDg g
her "not a bit good looking"
They were decOrous and prudent
in Farmingvale, and complied with
all the forms Of courtesy. MIS-.
Bartlett WIS called upon Ivy all
the ladies of her husbands flock,
was invited out to tea, and was
favored with a donation party;
nevertheless a keen observer could
have 50 something was wrong.
Tue ladies did not take kindly to
their pastors wife, and soou the
clouds began to gather.
At first, IN whispers, Mrs. Bar.