The Van Buren press., 1895-04-27
"What do you know about souls3
You amt preacher"

Wnat 90 you KNOW ABOUT Soulnr
You amt preacher"
II am not a preacher, my dcar,
know. nm only very ignorant
young girl. but may be able to
be OF use to YOU" Lilith began to feel
quiet fluent. LET us talk together q
little and see il can help you, and
shouldn't wonder II you could help
me-"
You amt so very young" said the
child, who appeared only to be able to
understand by sections, and had got
no further than that assertion. She
was looking gravely at Lilith's COM
plexion, and again her tone showed NO
rudeness, only quiet preference for
facts.
mot so young as you, of course"
Lilith said, still undiseouraged. "But
what does my age matter; what does
| anyone's age matter when we think
about eternity?"
DO you think about eternity?" asked
the child, with polite interest.
This was q moment when it seemed
to Lilith that the truth would be be-
coming. II used not to think of it;
used to be idle and worldly, and go to
balls and theaters every night" This
was something of an exaggeration, but
1t was spoken in the cause Of truth
II only cared for knowing grand peo-
pie, and amusing myself, but this
morning l heard words which made
me want to take life more seriously"
"This mornin'-you only knew you
was a sinner this mornin', and comes
round this afternoon districtin'. l
don't call that conversion, and in that
at, too"
The tone was more Of sorrow than Of
anger. Lilith began to be impatient.
Never mind my hat" she said.
but do mind yer at" the girl said,
mournfully. mo one as cared for er
soul would go about in at like that,
let alone carin' for the souls of other
people. I'm sinner" (this with sud
den assertion of self-respect)-"I've
knowed I'm sinner this seven months,
but don't go preachin to others yet.
And l wouldn't wear at like that,
no-not If I'd got a young man,
wouldn't"
my poor child" Lilith said, with q
last effort to fulfill her mission, don't
let us talk Of young men and such
worldly topics"
"A young mans we'll enough" said
the girl, gravely-"that is If he fears
the Lord and don't drink; and mans
the 'ead of the woman, and we amt
got any call to despise them. If you'd
| got young man you'd be out walkin'
with i'm, instead of fcomin' ere preachin'
in that at. don't old with women
preachin.' Let the women be silent in
your churches Churches means wher-
ever there's preachin' goin' on 1t amt
my place to speak the word, but I'm
sorry for yer. Elizabeth, my dear
(turning gently to the muttering Grip
| ple), don't you make them faces-they
| amt natural. Not but what-(turning
sternly to poor Lilith)-not but what
'er face, though it's the face of strick-
en- idjit, is better than yours. She amt
got no paynt on. No-nor no curled
fringe; she don't wear a fighty
at and feather Dor. l read 'er
about Jezebel and 'er paynted eyes the
other day-just as warnin'; but you
need it more than 'er. And that bor
Lady, l tell yer solemn land she did
indeed tell 1t very solemn) that Dor
round yer neck is just moose draggin'
yer to ell. There was some as wanted
me to wear one. Meas knows I'm q
sinner. 'Lor, Hammer they says,
what's the use of mopin'-get a feather
Dor, and come to us at the street cor
ner.'" (To go to the street corner is
simply to go into society, and the
feather boa is the token that you are
there for amusement and recreation
in evening-dress, in fact - and not
simply out to fetch beer or parafin oil,
or summon your men-folk from the pub.
lic-house.) The child went on monot-
onously, after a momentary break,
while she soothed the muttering of the
cripple: "But wouldn't ear it. NO
l says, no feather bors nor no street
corners for me- why not? says they
Lots Of us gets husbands that way.
No, thank yer says l. What, don't
yer want 'usband, Hanner? says
they. Not the sort Of 'usband as looks
for wife at the street corner, says l."
The stern child ended her anecdote
with certain dramatic force that
seemed to dismiss Lilith.
ut seems l can be of no use to you,"
she said, rising.
you'd better think about bein' of
use to yerself first" the child said, with
real friendly pity. "Wash that paynt
off yer face; get rid Of that curled
fringe, tayke out them feathers, dress
sober and decent SO that people can see
you're respectable-if yer are respect
able-and then yer1l be more fit to
come talkin' about souls to people as
knows they're sinners already. Sin
ners! why, that pore afflicted idjit in
the corner knows she's sinner better
than you. I've taught 'er. She's nearer
glory than you are. Elizabeth, my
dear, you give me that dead mouse; ii
amt a pretty plaything for Christian
child"
Lilith was on her way to the door.
The mournful sinner followed her, in.
cidentally throwing the mouse through
the window as she passed.
II 'ope amt offended yer. spoke
for yer good. If yer really wants to
know yer sinner you come to me, and
I'll 'elp yer. Our Mr.. Patters at the
chapel"
You're rude-rudc little wretchl
cried Lilith, angrily, land I'm sorry
came. I'd brought you some cakes
won't give them to you"