The National tribune., 1897-07-29

7 stretched the hank into an ellipse by separat
ing her fh1Itfs as far as possible. She r:iset
it up toward the sunlight, and surveyed ,th
/ mass Of snowy, venly-spun yarn with
glance of pride Her loose sleeves fell baci
and revealed symmetrically rounded, stron:
| arms, with Skin rs white and smooth d
| polished marble. The freckies stopped
abruptly at her wrists.
| She twisted the hank upor itself, and theI
| hung it upon a peg in the side Of the ldnse
| As she turned TO pick up another ron ant
| resume Ter spinning, the dogs ran ont witt
! a wild clamor. She paused, roll IN hand
and looked down the road.
Who is It, Mirry ?'n called her disabled
! mother, from her rocking thar inside tht
| honse
Miriam looked intent1y down THE road x
where a horsenfan was picking his way
across the slippery rocks IN the shallow
ford
"Hits Elder stornrnont," she replied
"Tige, come heaf, sab Cesar stop that !"
The admonfshed leaders Of the dogs bark
ened to her voice, and came back inside the
yard the others following.
He's comm from the Conference at
Knoxville, - said her mother. "l'H be pow
erfi1l glad to see him. He'll bring lots o
news. Better blow the horn for. yer daddy
MiTry He'll want t. see the Elder"
Reckon he'll stay tdh dinner, an then
pap II see him. -
Tire rider was a tall, spare man, past middle
age, with a cfean -shaven, strong keen face.
He was dressed in a snit OF black Tnster,
which vas 80 generally the Summer costume
of Methodist preachers Of the mountains
as to be alfnosta uniform. On his head was a
tall silk hat. Hat and clothes had seen much
wear, and had been out III rough weather. He
had another trait of the Methodfst clergy
he rode good horse, and sat him we'll. A
good horse and good hofsemansbip were
even more necessary to a Methodist preacher
in the mountains than sound theology. He
might q fail from grace tlfeologicaily, and
afterward recover his standing, by due peni-
tence and amendment. But il he fell from
one Of The precipitous cliffs which abohnded
on his circuit his usefulness and Ills life were
likely 10 end then and there
- Mighty glad y see yon, Elder" said
Miriam, sprnsfng down the path toward
the gate, as the minister reined up. Ifsht,
and come right ID. Mother wants Z see ye
Awful bad"
Very glad t. see you, Sister Miriam, y
said the Elder with grave .kiftfliness, as he
finished tying his horse and took her hand.
" Yon are looking well. How is Sister In
Tu1e?"
Mothers much pearter since the weaflier's
become settled. That misery in her backs
gone, bnt she's not able to git about much,
an has Z set in her cheer nigh onto all the
time"
Whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth.
1t is hard for US to understand how a
woman SO good as Sister Inrule should be so
afflicted. But that is among His mysteries,
which may in time be revealed to us. In
the meanwhile we must train our hearts to
believe that His ways are just and merciful
forevermore."
''Of course, y1l stay for dinner. Pm sorry
to ask y t. take y're critter to- the barn
y'self an gin him su'thin T. eat but all our
men folks air over t. the new gouud settin'
out terbacker plants, an there's none O them
= tend Z him."
:. Don't worry about that, sister. I'm used
to taking care o MY own critter. and like u
do it. Yes; I'll stay = dinner. l had laid
out Z do that. l wanted very much T. see
all yod'ns, an besides, you know we circuit
riders like good eating, am I've often told
you that nowhere on my circuit am / SO
certain of good dinner as at Brother In
rules"
1, You'll be disapp'inted to-day, for I've
been SO busy with my spinnin' that haint
had time Z git nothin' extra But carry.