Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1895-09-20

all WIN an aOSteacteu air, as III ner
mind were tar away.
When her noisy crew was once
more scattered-the older children
gone back 10 school, the little ones
safe IN the back yard-and the
after dinner work was out of the
way, Mrs. Redd repaired TO the
livIng.roOm, and deliberately sat
herself down to think.
She sat long time, her hands
folded in her lap, her face twisted
varying emotions. Finally she
arose decisively, and went to her
bare little bedroom.
She pat OH her best gown, q
black cashmere, thin and old, but
neat as brushing aud careful mend
ing could make it; then, with
reverent fingers, she took out her
Sunday bonnet. 1t was straw oil
antique shape, and its few limp
bows of rusty Grape bespoke hel
wid0whOOd.
She went out the front door,
locking it after and putting the
key In her pocket.
NANNY! nanny! Where you
doin'?' shouted Totty's sturdy little
lungs.
Never mind, mammy's baby!
Stay in the yard aud be a good
girl. Mammy'll he back pretty
sOOn.'
The soft summer sky was very
blue overhead, the air was full of
sweet scents and sounds, and the
afternoon sunshine lay golden on
the dusty road as Mrs. R.dd went
up the hill to the minister's.
The minister sat in his study.
He had been trying to write his
sermon, bnt somehow the words
would not come. He was late
about the sermon this week. II
had been pushed of from day to
day 10 a very unusual manner
until Friday afternoon. 81 the
minister had shut himself up, and
was vainly eudeavHrlng to bring
his mind TO bear on "a severely
doctrinal discourse.
But he had 80 much else to think
of At last, with sigh, he laid
bis gray head down on the desk
before him aud gave himself up to
his trouble.
He thought of the bright hopes
that had vanished with his savings;
he thought Of the letter he had
sent that morning. This was the
hardest blow Of all-the letter that
told his son Eric that he could no t
have another year III college. Eric,
who was to have been message to
the world! Eric, who led his classes,
aud whose ambition was to be a
minister 'like father!
He thought of his tired wlfe's
face, aud of the many little ones to
bring up and fttiugly educate.
aud his heart failed him.
SO the minister's 'niDd wandered
farther aud father from the argu-
ments of hls sermon. and his tired
head lay still OIL his Outstretched
arm. The afternoon sun, getting
we'll toward the west, stole in,
sending shafts of dusty light
through the shaded loom.
The sounds of chlldren's voices
shIiII and happy In out.of'door
freedom, 6oat'ed in at the open
window. The blank sheets of paper
lay on the desk, waiting for the
sermon that would not be written.
Suddenly the study door opened
Pm so sorry to disturb you,
John,' said Mes. Day, laying a
gentle hand on the bowed head,
but there's a woman here who
says she must see YOU
rs that you, M.ryT said the
minister, Strengthening up and re-.
suming his pen with a basy air.
We'll, who is it, DEAR
It's Mrs. Redd, the washer.
woman who lives Ia the Hollow.
You remember her husband was
killed at the mill last year. hate
to Interrupt you so, bat she SAID
she must see yoO.'
Never mind. wifi. Send her
iu.' The minister gave a little
sigh. He felt that the world was
full of vexing troubles, and that be
must help bear them all. Even
the smallest burnen seemed toe
heavy to add to his own.
In came Mrs. Itedd-s small
black figure which seemed to shrink
into the shadows, and which
timidly seated itself on the edge oI
the most uncomfortable chair 10
tue room.
Good afternoon, Mrs. Redd
You must have b vi a warm .walb
mp the hill, said the minister.
We'll, sir, il was a tride warm