The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1895-01-01
AN EXPERIMENT.


Matilda. It's ag'inst the Scriptures, and
it amt right" said Caleb Brown to his
wife.
1T amt ag'inst the Scriptures to only
them that won't believe. If the Lord has
revealed the day of his coming to the faith
full ones, doesn't it become them to be
readyT Amt that Scripture Caleb
Brown?'
The next night there was a. meeting,
and Caleb went to it. The elAer waxed
eloquent as he described the glories of the
ascension and the terrible destruction of
the impenitent. Women sobbed hysteric-
ally, and children chung to their parents
in fear.
Hes orazy's loon and ought to be
shut up, - thought Caleb.
Mrs Brown was very quiet all the way
home
Il don = want to leave you behind Ca
leb, she said as they sat before the fire.
You'll never need to if you don t leave
me till you go that way he replied
All the next day Caleb; seemed more
disturbed than ever. He leaned on the
hoe handle when at work ana talked to
himself while milking. He bad faithfully
titled his farm, although Mrs. Brown had
protested against the waste of labor, as
they would not neeyi the products. She
did not dry apples nor make preserves as
usual
It'll be dry eating without them NEXT
winter, said Caleb.
He MIXED the COWS that evening, think
ing aloud, as usual.
Il think he'-1ueaning the elder
won't be in tonight, and III speak to
Matilda about it. She always was little
mite jealous of Sophy James. though she
was not so much to blame, after ali, for
wanting to get married. No woman is.
They are letter of, I say"
Caleb went into the house with the pail
OF milk and ate his supper as usual. Mrs.
Brown washed the dishes and drew her low
rocker up to the sewing table. The even
ings were chilly, and bright fire burned
in the fireplace, its rudy glow eclipsing
tho tallOw candle that burned on the sew
ing table
Matilda, when is that ascension to
como OFF, asked Caleb.
The 28th-that' s three weeks from TO-
morrow-and we are going over to Hem
lock hill to watch for she Lords coming
from there do hope you'll be ready, Ca
leb."
I'm ready now without going over to
Hemiock hill," replied Caleb, 'FbuU there
is one thing wish you would do for me
before the time comes. -
What is jt?'' she asked.
81 wish you would learn Sophy James
how to cook. l calculate it's going to be
quito a space of time between the ascen-
sion and the destruction of the world. The
Lord warned the Sodomites several times,
and I guess he wilt do as much for us.
Now dom t want to live here alone, and
no woman can cook as you do without be-
ing learned"
You've always had good vicauals, if 1
did cook them, - interrupted Mrs Brown,
not yet seeing the drift of Caleb remarks.
II know it, Matilda, and I don't find
any fault, only as you are going away 1
wish you would learn Sophy. She is a
good hOusekeeper, but not much of a cook
SO 1 have been told. I think of getting
her to come and live with me after you go. -
Caleb BrownI' Matilda let fall the
white robe she was sewing on and stood
before him. you'll wait till have as
cended before you Bring another woman
into the house, a simpering old maid like
Sophy james,"
''She amt to blame for being an old
maid Matilda. Sho has tried hard enough
to get married, and I thought you would
rather have her than a young woman. I
had"
You won't need to get anybody for the
present, Z" said Matilda
No more was said that evening Caleb
went ont to the barn and then took down
the Bible for prayer, as was his custom.
sleep. She went around the house the
next day moro 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 her on her wedding
day. Not piece had been broken or
cracked in her 20 years of housekeeping
She lifted one of the she'll cups.
''Sophy James!' she said scornfully
cit will be long time before she uses my
n CHI fcI1 fg,,r 70 how
would get married before I was out of
sight" continued Mrs. Brown, forgetting
for the moment the terrible destruction
that was to fall upon the impenttent. 1T
is wonder to me he didn't marry her
years ago, and he would have done so,
only she wouldn't give him a chance to do
his own counting Caleb was always mas
ter hand to have his say"
Mrs. Brown went back to the kitchen
and sat down with very sober face. She
began to cry, and she rocked and sobbed
spasmodicaIly, like a tempest that passes
over and returns.
Caleb came in for a drink of water
whats the matter, Matilda?" he asked
ITO Think sobbed Matilda, THAT you
should want Sophy James to keep house
for you while 1 am living'
Caleb did not hoe any more that morn
ing. In the evening neighbor called on
her way to church and found him and his
wife busy pairing apples.
1--WE are not going this evening"" said
Mrs. Brown. 81 am behind with my pre-
serving, and Caleb is helping rnt. para ap-
pies so I can make cider apple sauce. "
Mis- Brown exclaimed the neighbor,
''you amt a-goin to backslide jest as the
time is DRAWN nigh, air your"
Il am going to take my chances with
Caleb" answered Mrs. Brown.
The neighbor went her way and report
ed Mrs. Browns backslidden state. The
next night the elder called to expostulate
with her. Caleb was chopping peppers,
and whether it was Mrs. Brown g lost state
or the pungent odor of the peppers that
affected the elder he could not tell His
tears and pleadings we're all in vain. No