The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1895-02-12
AN EXPERIMENT.

matilda It's ag'inst the scriptures, and
tt amt right" said Caleb Brown TO his
wife.
1T amt ag'inst the Scriptures to only
Them that won't believe. II the Lord has
revealed the day Of his coming 60 the faith
ful ones, doesn't it become them to be
readys Amt that Scripture, Caleb
Brown
The next night there was a meeting,
and Caleb went TO il. The elder waved
eloquent as ne described the glories Of the
ascension and the terrible destruction OF
the impenitent. Women sobbed hysteric-
ally. and children clung TO their parents
In fear.
Hes crazy's loon and ought to be
shut up thought Caleb
Mrs Brown was very quiet all the way
home.
Il don't want to leave you behind, Ca
heb, " she said as they sat before the fire.
You'll never need to if you don't leave
me till you 60 that way" be replied.
All the next day Caleb seemed more
disturbed than ever. He leaned on the
hoe 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
Sid not dry apples nor make preserves as
Usual
';It'u be dry eating without them next
winter said Caleb.
He MIXED the cows that evening, think
ing aloud, as usual
L think Le''--mearing the elder
won't be in tonight, and I'll speak to
Matilda about it, She always was little
fEitc 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 Of, l 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 uy 20 the sewing table The even
ines were chilly, and bright fire burned
in the fireplace, its rudy glow eclipsing
the tallow candle that burned on the sew
ing table.
Matilda when is that ascension to
como oEs'' asked Catch.
The 2Sth-tEcr's thrae weeks from to-
morrow-and we are going over to Hem
loCk hill 20 watch fer tie Lords coming
from there. I % hope you'll be ready, Ca
ich. -
Hem!ock hill, i" replied Caleb, but there
IS one thing wish you would do for ne
before the time comes"
What is it," she asked
Il wish you would learn Sophy James
how 10 cook. i calculate it's going to be
quite space OF time between the ascen-
sion and the destruction Of the world. The
Lord warned the Sodomites several times,
and l guess he VIII do as much for Us.
Now, don't want 10 live here alone, and
DO woman can cook as you 90 without be-
Ing learned.
You've always lad good victuals, If /
did cook them" inUcrrap pied Mrs. Brown.
not yet seeing the drift Of Caleb remarks.
u know it, Matilda, and don't find
any fault. cniy - you are going away 1
wish you would learn Sophy. She is a
good housekoeper, hut not much Of a cook,
so I have boon tnld. think Of getting
her 60 como and Iivs with me after you go. !"
Caleb Brawni'' Matilda let fall tine
white RODE she was sewing on and stood
before him. You'll wait till have as
cended before you bring another woman
INFO the house, O silnpering old maid like
Sophy James,
She amt to blame for being an old
maid. Matilda. She has tried hard enough
70 ges married, and thought you would
rather have her than young woman. l
had
You won't need TO get anybody for the
present, said Matilda.
No more was SAID that evening. Caleb
went out 20 the barn and then took down
the Bible fer prayer, as was his custom.
Mrs Brown was too excited TO talk or
sleep. She went around the house the
next 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 her on her wedding
day. Not a piece had been broken or
cracked in her 20 years Of housekeeping.
She lifted enc CT the shell cups.
''Sophy james, she said scornfully.
1T Will DC long tire before she uses my
distes If she waits for me TO ascend. They
would get married before l was out Of
sighs, continued Mrs. Brown, forgetting
for the moment the terrible destruction
that was - fall upon the impenitent. 1t
is d wonder 70 me ne didn't marry her
years age, and lie would have done so,
only she wouldn't give him a chance TO do
lis own counting. Caleb was always mas
ter hand 10 have his say"
Mrs Brown went back TO the kitchen
am SAT down with a very sober face. She
began 10 cry, and she rocked and sobbed
systematically, like a tempest that passes
over Gad returns
Caleb came in for drink Of water.
What's tho matter, MatiIda;" be asked
To think, - sobbei Matilda, that you
ehoEld want Sophy James 20 keep house
fer ron while | am liviagln
Caleb did not hoe any more that morE-
ing. In the evening a neighbor called on
her way To church and found him and his
wile busy pairing apples.
We are net going this evening" said
Mrs. Brown. Il am behind with my pre-
serving, and Caleb is helping me pare ap-
pics so can make cider apple sauce.
Ms Brown, exclaimed the neighbor,
you ein't a-goin TO backslide jest as the
time Is DRAWN nigh, air youf
Il am going TO take my chances with
Caleb, = answered Mrs. Brown.
The neighbor went her way and report
el Mrs Browns backslidden state The
ext nigat the elder called 10 expostulate
with he. Caleb WIS chopping peppers,
and whether it was Mrs. Brown lost state
or the pungent odor Of the peppers that
affected the elder he could not tell His
tears ard pleadings were all in vain No
vision OF glory or destruction was half so
real 20 Mrs. Brown as the vision OF Sophy
James laying the table with her best china.
4 have made up my mind 10 take my
chances with Caleb, was all she would
say liz reply TO the elder
u guess, Matilda, we will stand Just as
good a chance rs the ones that have re-
pentea fer = season, seeing we have be-
longed 70 the church and tried 70 do our