The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1898-12-31

tees OF tue cAuron, ana inquired whether
the pastors study could not be repapered
and painted, hut be shook his head
She did not give up, however, hy any
means, and at the next meeting of the
Christian Endeavor Society she presented
the case.
'Now," she said, 81 propose that we
rejuvenate that study as Christmas pre-.
sent ia onr pastor. | have made some in
! quiries, and find that it can be done a.
small expense.
MIR. Ball who is member of our
church, would furnish and put on gond
/ paper for four dollars. 4 neat mattirg Tor
! the floor would not cost over four dollars
more. Fred johnson a young painter, aud
a member Of the c. L. Society will kindly
/ attend to the wood work without charge.
! So you sre that the actual expense OF the
/ undertaking need not exceed eight dollars.
though some other changes AMI additions
might be made TO good advantage"
! Much to her delight, Hopes plan met
with general approval, and then arose dis-
cussion as to the best method OF raising the
| money to carry it out.
Finally Ellen Berry, one OF the most ac.
tive members, said: "There are so many
/ oyster suppers, sGcables and things of that
sort let us Try something diffarent Sup
pose each member becomes personally re-
sponsible for fifty cents"
After a little discussion this plan was
unanimously adopted, and the meeting ad-
journed.
The Sunday before Christmas, Mrs. Bard
: well, good motherly woman who lived
/ four miles from the town. and who was
member Of Mr.. Goodman's church, said TO
the pastor and his wife as they shook hands
after service, Il want you folks all out 10
my house for one holiday visit Can you
come the day before Christmas? 1t seems
d kind o. queer time, may be. but il you
can possibly come, that's the day want
you.
Mrs. Goodman reflected a few moments,
then replied, "Why, thank you, Mrs
Bsrdwell, think we could come that day.
| 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 shall be
particularly needed. | thank YOU very
much for your kind invitation, Mrs. Bard
well. We shall enjoy the sit, ] 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 hilarious little Good
mans vanished down the road, than a man
with rolls Of paper appeared at the parson-
age, and was admitted by Hope Arnold,
who had secured duplicate key from her
uncle.
The man with the paper and paste was
speedily followed by another bearing 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 c. Z. Society took possess
ion with 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 oonspira-
tors as they surveyed the rejuyenated room.
The paper on the walls aud ceilings was
restiul to the eye, with its sott tints and
unobtrusive pattern. The coloring of the
woodwork harmonized with that of the
paper. In spite of fresh paint, neat muslin
curtains had been put up in place of the
shabby lace Ones and the well worn table
cover had given way to another just from
the store. Over the neat mating, before
study table and easy chair, rugs were
placed for warmth and coziness.
And as a browning touch a beautiful
etching that was of itself an inspiration
hung on the wall opposite the PASTORS seat
at his study table. This was 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
evenings exercise Fred Johnson slipped
over to the parsonage, and when Mr.. and
Mrs. Goodman stepped into the wintry air
they were startled by CLEAN Of light from
the study windows.
"What can it meant cried Mrs. Good.
man in alarm. ''Can it be fire?n
Home was soon reached and they hurried
upstairs A lighted lamp was on the
stand before the study door, and against it
leaned placari bearing the words, "Be
ware of paint" in large letters. Mr.. Good
man carefully opened the door and entered
the room, followed by Mrs. Goodman
usherins Va her brood with due Difference
to the warning without and the odor with
in.
The little folks chartered and exclaimed