The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1899-12-06
SOMERSET PA, WEDNESDAY. DECEMBER g. 1899.

What was that the Squire was say
ing? Were the skies about to fall? He
paused, transhxed, with mouthful of
salad suspended on his fork.
'Girls, you should take lesson from
your cousin," this was what the Squire
said. "Here she has lived in the city
all her life. and knows ten times more
about cooking and housekeeping than
all Of you put together. Milly, wish
you'd teach them this salad-fixing be-
fore you 60"
Yes, he said that. And all the three
dressed damsels who we're thus entrest-
ed fixed their dismayed eyes on the
Squire, and with one voice protested
"Oh, Papal Marcia dressed the salad
very well, Pm sure, and we do 50 hate
cookingT
The Reverend Mr.. Williams, l fear,
scarcely realized the perfect flavor of
the pumpkin pie, made after a recipe
bequeathed to Mrs. EIdridge by de-
parted grandmother. He listened to its
history, and to other family traditions,
as in dream. His mind seemed to
have received great shock. All his
preconceived notions were jostled and
confused. This sweet, simple, helpful
creature-a city girl
Presently, still in a dream, as it were,
he found himself sitting beside her in
the parlor, and gradually moving into
such real conversation as be had ney-
er before had with a young woman. 1t
was not necessary to select topics to
make talk, for the things which inter-
ested him were equally interesting to
her. He discovered gradually that she
was a member of one of the hardest
working parishes in New York, OF
whose methods and successes he had
heard great deal. She knew all about
guilds and missions and charity organ
izations and industrial schools, and the
best ways of getting at the poor, great
deal more, in fact, than he did. She
was busy helper in these things, and
yet so bright and merry!
"Mr. Dudley works US pretty hard"
she admitted, "but think we enjoy it.
There is something delightful in being
made to do our best, don't you think
SOP"
81 don't know, never have done
half my best yet" replied Alexander
Williams, with laugh. "I've only
just begun, you know" Then straight
ening himself, with a look of determin-
alton, he added: "But mean to get at
it in time. wish You would give me
some lessons, Miss Eldridge."
'Oh, l couldn't give lessons to any
body. Pm too busy in taking them.
But l wish you could know my dear
Mr.. Dudley; he could help you great
deal. He's so strong and kind and
Mrs Dudley is just like him."
1t was relief, somehow, to know
that there was Mrs. Dudley.
The Eldridge girls, who had yawned
furtively during this discussion, decided
that night, at hair-brushing tune, that
the new clergyman was a stick, and
that there was no fun at all in him.
II did hope when a young man was
called, that he'd be OF some use in So
ciety," said Dora, "but Mr.. Williams
is worse than nobody"
at was perfectly dismal" sighed
Sophy. "Well, Thanksgiving Day is
over; that is one comfort / do think
it is the poklest day in the year"
Meanwhile Alexander Williams was
cooling off his excitement by long.
late walk, and trying to reconstruct his
ideas. Were all city girls, then, like
Miss Milly EIdridge? Were all coun-
try girls like her cousins? Had he been
totally wrong and misinformed all his
life? Which way did the truth lie?
He decided to suspend opinion and
study the subject at his leisure. 1t was
a wise decision, for he found reason to
modify aud alter his judgment more
than once before he got through 1t
may be said that he did not arrive at a
final conclusion until five years later,
when he had become city pastor, be-
ing called to take charge Of one of the
active, new parishes at the Park end of
Madison avenue. His unusual powers
of thought and speech could not escape
notice, and the metropolis always
claimed the best, and will have it.
From this point Of view he was able
to determine, with sufficient accuracy
to satisfy himself, that in city and
country alike, human nature and hu-
man need and the methods of dealing
with their complicated wants, are pref
ty much the same, to be met and un-
dertaken with the same hard labor and !
the same Divine assistance. He never |
found another girl, in city OF country,
who seemed to him at all the equal Of !
Milly, his Milly, as he has for some |
time called her; but he found a num-
ber, both in city and country, who were
working in the same direction, and &C
tuated by the same spirit. Now he al
ways holds Thanksgiving Day as dear
est Of all days Of the year, not only
because it converted him from mis-
taken opinion, and inaugurated wider
range of sympathies and interests in
his life, but also because it brought him
the acquaintance Of the frivolous"
city girl, who has since become the
great joy and treasure of his heart,
and made him rich in love and home
happiness. Home Journal.