Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1898-09-09


for an excuse for his pet. She looked
surprised, and as if she was half afraiC
he was not in just the right frame OF
mind TO lead prayer meeting. She
tried 10 help matters by moving thu
chairs nearer the table and going TO the
window TO see if someone was not IL
sight with basket. Yes, at last, anC
quite different outfit from the Other
one. She fastened TO the door thinking
il would not be best for her husband &c
be subjected to further temptation in his
present state of mind.
| reckon your late. We've been
waiting she remarked, thinking 1t must
be wife's duty TO disapprove OF things
when the husband did.
"Powdon Missus but dis da hour AL
da berry minute wat Mars Vested name
fer dis yer meal Boss, he don nebeI
low ter be late wild dinnah. He
hustled about putting things in place,
then meekly taking his stand behind her
chair. Brother Welsted was Modified
and seated himself without further re-
mark. In fact, he was not little
ashamed of his late unnecessary out
break The dinner was very satisfactory
and by the time it was disposed of he
was congratulating himself that to him
belonged the glory of having solved the
great housekeeping problem. When
the bell finally rang they tripped OF 10
church as light hearteh as two school
children after tiff and makeup. Still
prayer meeting did not run smoothly.
Brother Burleigh, with whom most OF
the church business, had been trans
acted and the one of all others on
whom he expected to lean, was not
there They lived in fine old mansion
opposite the church. He had been on
the street an hour before-so he was not
out of town, or sick. His wife, who
had been the first and most cordial in
welcoming them was also absent
Strange, surely Another of the official
members was not in his place. Several
dropped into the back seats and kept
silent. In short. there was a chill in the
air and he went home mystitied and
troubled
Sunday came again, it had been one
of those weeks when sermons refused TO
evolve from his brain i'll any kind of
shape. and he went into the pulpit feel
ing that pillar of cloud had settled
down between himself and people.
Surely, the Burleigh pew was vacant
again. There was other empty places
he was i'll a mood TO see and imagine
everything He fancied others had OBJ
served the same things and were com
pareing notes. After service some DIS
appeared without greeting him. II
felt that too. In Sunday school thor
was 40 teacher for brother Burleig'l :
bible class-then Mrs. b s class lr.C
rather than take up with supply
Over at Burleigh's the good people
were in no happier frame of mind.
81 told brother Sims that my reasons
were good, but he must excuse me from
explaining just now | don't want 10
make any trouble; she (meaniug Mrs.
Welsted) "seems lady" A Georgian
could think of nothing more compile.
mcntary than that
Eyes answered his wife, reckon she
| never saw him in temper before. I'm
mighty sorry for her
Il was very favor ably impressed with
him. His sermons have been remark
able for so young man. The elder too.
wrote me so favorably about him. | am
greatly disappointed. | expected him
TO 90 so much for our young people-he
and his wife, but he is not even a
gentleman"
What are we TO do:' asked Mrs.
/ Burleigh. We can't absent ourselves
from class and everything the whole
year, and he will have to stay that
! length of time anyhow, you know
"And another, too, unless we petition
for his removal. What sort of a plea
could we put in?" Mr.. Il. laughed fol
/ the first time in a week
What did he say 10 James anyhow
"Why, 1t was the day they drove into
the country to see brother Rays anC
brother Sales people. They came home
just between luncheon and dinner
They have no cook, so, thinking they
would be tired and most likely have O.
wait for dinner, | told Molly to take
some cold chicken, rolls and other thing.
and send James over with them, TO RESI-
them. She, poor young thing know.
nothing Of hardships"
"Wby the man took il as an insult. II
ten minutes the boy came back with the
things his eyes fairly bullying out of hi'
head. AMI in "A great huff -
What has happened" asked. "Ha'
the new minister hoodooed YOU
"Aliss Marrian-don neber sen dis boy
TO sick folks no mo. He da curious il
preacher-haiu got no use fer i'm no mo.
What do You mean" What die
he say when you gave him the server
Dress me Missus didn got no chanc,
ter give i'm da server-he jes stan in (;
door an ask WV dun cum so late, al
whut kin dinnah | call at fer tive
starvin folks. l tole i'm whit you un
tole me, an he say, EFF don clar ou
an bring sumthin fit ter eat, right sooi
he port me an hev me discharged II,
never lef me said won wud. He tall
bout heve me discharged Reckon he
don know me an Mars Will bof bon
same day. Spects he's want Mars Will
discharge, mex, huh.
They both laughed merrily at tn,
picture of James-the proper James, tn,
born misunderstanding under tn,
tongue of the parson.
"Why, he insulted you, Marian. /
it was not Sunday I'd go this minute
and call him TO account"
The moment Sunday school was ovel
Mr.. Welsted took his hat and hurried
} over to the Burleigh mansion determined
to know what was wrong and meme
things If it was in his power. He coul,
| mr. Iiua ~,