Belding banner. (Belding, Mich.) 1889-1918, 1897-08-19

CuctIlully.
THE compensation is not high"
said Mr. Hixon, wondering what the
old ladies of the parish would say to
seeing Barbara Lennox In his kitchen.
"As II / cared for that" said Bar
bara.
my work is light" added the clergy
man, land of course you would have
a great deal of time to yourself"
"Oh, but / want to be kept busy"
pleaded Barbara.
Il am afraid you are too young"
said Mr.. Hixon in desperation.
TOO youngw cried Barbara. What
difference does that maker"
People might say gossiping, ill-na-
tured things" reasoned Mr.. Hlxon.
looking very hard at the tops OF the
ears Of the cat, which had by this
time jumped into Miss Lennox's lap.
And much as l should appreciate your
kind Offer
IF you won't take me-" said Bar
bara, springing to her feet with red
spot glowing on either cheek, "Pll go
to Mr.. Symington, the Baptist minis
ter"
II don't think he needs one" said
Mr.. Hixon, also rising and looking per-
turbed.
Needs what?"
"A maid-servant," explained Mr..
Hixon in the blunt way in VIII ch your
Latin scholar sometimes blurts out his
facts.
But" cried Barbara, with very
wide-open eyes, who is talking about
a maid-servant?"
YOU" said Mr.. Hixon. Aren't
your"
Indeed I'm not" said Barbara.
Didn't you allude to my advertise
ment for q servart-maid, which APP
peared in this mornings Snagtown
Weekly Trumpet" asked Mr.. Hixon,
feeling as If the world were all turn
ing upside down, and he were losing
his hold on creation in general.
NO" said Barbara Lennox. 81 al
luded to an editorial in the same pa
per which called the attention of the
public to the lack of workers in the
field Of domestic missions"
Mr.. Hixon heaved a deep sigh. Dear
DEAR" said he, "how very ridiculous
| must have made myself"
What must you have thought OF
me-" cross-questioned Barbara, sud
denly perceiving the weak side of her
own position. And, without waiting
60 fe oh
tonished cat and few out of the study
crossing the old orchard, where the
cherries were winking their scarlet
eyes through the leaves, and at length
losing herself in the woods beyond
IL have offended her." said Mr.. Hix-
have been. / must go after her al
once!'
He did so, overtaking her just where
a rustic bridge spanned the quiet brook
below the woods.
Barbara" he pleaded in piteous
say anything which could offend your
OH cried Barbara, II am not Of
Tended. l am only vexed and angry
with myself!'
Barbara"
Eyes, Mr.. Hixonw
situation?"
Her eyelashes fell. 81 am not
worthy even of that, Mr.. Hixon."
Barbara
"Wel. Mr.. HiXon?"
eff you won't be my mission Sunday
school teacher. will you be my wife?'
MIR. Hixonr'
I'VE can at least work together, Bar.
bara, in our Masters vineyard" said
the young clergyman solemnly. And
ever since / have been here | have
felt that / lacked something to get
force and energy to my daily ministra-
tons. l know now what it is-a wife
Dear little Barbara, will you marry
me?"
Tiff you think am good enough, >
said Barbara. dropping her head sc
that he could scarcely see the she'll
pink glow of her cheeks.
So they took the advertisement out
OF the Snagtown Weekly Trumpet
and were married quietly-and
Mrs. Septimus Hixon brought with her
to the parsonage faithful old domes-
tic, who asked for no better lot in
life than to work for Miss Barbara
and her husband"
And Barbara has at length achieved
the great longing Of her life-a mis-
sion! She is a pattern clergyman s
wife, an earnest worker. faithful mis-
sionary in the home field. And Mr..
Hixon has cut the little advertisement
out of the village paper, and preserves
II among his dearest mementos.
81 didn't advertise for a wife," said
he, "but I got one. Eth, Barbara?"-
New York Ledger