The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1897-12-24

BdrQWell, SOOu, uOluolly WoAl1A
who lived four miles from the town,
and who was member of Mr.. Good
mans church, said to the pastor and
his wife as they shook hands after SER
vice, 81 want you folks all out to my
house for one good holiday visit. Can
YOU come the day before Christmas?
1t seems a kind O. queer time, may be,
but if you can possibly come, that's
the day 1 want you
Mrs. Goodman reflected a few mo-
ments then replied, why, thank you,
Mrs. Bardwell, | think we could come
that day. l could arrange to go, am
sure. Couldn't you, Mr.. Goodman"
Eyes, think So" he responded, very
cheerfully. "Of course, there will be
preparations going on for the evening
exercises, but don't know that l shall
be particularly needed. Thank you
very much for your kind invitation,
Mrs. Bardwell. We shall enjoy the
visit, / assure you
Mrs. Goodman securely locked the
front door on the day appointed, and
dropped the key in her pocket; but
scarcely had the sleigh containing Mr..
Goodman and herself and the four hill
arious little Goodmans vanished down
the road, than man with rolls of pa
per appeared at the parsonage, and
was admitted by Hope Arnold, who
had secured a duplicate key from her
uncle
The man with paper and paste was
speedily followed by another bearing
a pot of paint, and the transformation
of the study was soon under full head
way.
Late in the afternoon three of the
male members of the G. E. Society took
possession with a roll of mating, and
when in a short space of time, their
work with that was finished, they were
REINFORCED by several of the girls, and
the study was soon in readiness for its
occupant.
Great was the satisfaction of the con-
spirators as they surveyed the re-
juvenated room. The paper on the
walls and ceiling was restful to the
eye, with it's soft tints and unobstrus-
i've pattern. The coloring of the wood
work harmonized with that of the pa
per. In spite of fresh paint, neat mus
lin curtains had been put up in place
of the shabby lace ones; and the we'll
worn table cover had given way to an
other Just from the store. Over the
neat mating, before study table and
easy chair, rugs were placed for
warmth and cosiness.
And as browning touch beautiful
etching that was of itself an inspira-
ton hung on the wall opposite the pas
tors seat at his study table. This was
a personal gift from Hope Arnold. Care
had been taken to have everything
done before it should be time for the
pastor and his family to arrive at the
church, that they might not be SO soon
surprised at seeing light in their
house. But toward the close of the
evenings exercises Fred Johnson slip
ped over to the parsonage, and when
Mr.. and Mrs. Goodman stepped out in
to the wintry air they were startled by
a CLEAN from the study windows.
What can it meant" cried Mr.. Good
man in alarm. Can it be fire."
Home was soon reached and they
hurried upstairs. A lighted lamp was
on the stand before the study door, and
against it leaned placard bearing the
words, Beware of paint" in large let
tiers. Mr.. Goodman carefully opened
the door and entered the room, follow
ed by Mrs. Goodman ushering in her
brood with due Difference to the warn
ing without and the odor within.
The little folks chartered and ex-
claimed, and pointed out to one an
other the various changes, but for a
few moments the pastor and his wife
said not word.
Then Mr.. Goodman took an envelope
from the table. 1t contained $40 bill
and a card, from which he read aloud
in a rather unsteady voice:
please accept the alterations in your
study as a testimonial of affection and
esteem from the Young Peoples So
ciety of Christian Endeavor, and use
the inclosed for such further improves
ments in the way of books as it will
make, and you may desire
Mrs. Goodman sat down and cried.
"Oh!" she exclaimed, this study has
worried me so! I've tried and tried to
plan for having it fixed up, but there
didn't seem to be any way to do it.
Finally l gave up and just left it with
the Lord, and since then I've been sure
it would be done some day. And 1t is!
Those blessed young folks! And $40
for books, tool"
YES" replied Mr.. Goodman, wiping
his own eyes, II am very thankful for
il ALL 1t was Hope Arnold's idea,
am positive, She looked very deter
mined when she left the study that
morning she was here"
well, it is certainly a welcome
Christmas gift, and great surprise"
Then small Johnny Goodman, who
had been regarding his parents in
great perplexity, exclaimed: 81 don't
see what makes papa and mamma cry
about it! l think it looks nicer than