Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1899-11-28
A Thanksg wing story.

Miss Amber fingered after the bene-
diction as long as she could find any pos
Sible excuse for It.
She put on her rubberS, fumbled with
the buttons of her coat, and made be
lieye TO fasten her faded mink collar
more securely.
Then she picked up her umbrella, ali
the while furtiyely watching the occu-
pants Of certain center pews who were
slowly making their way out into the
main aisle.
Her own seat was at the side, pretty
well back under the gallery. On a dark
Sabbath she could not see the words of
the familiar hymn in which the congre-
cation were invited to join; but by listen
ing closely she managed to limp along
after the others, coming in on a missing
word before it had been quite dropped
for another. Miss Amber was dissatis-
fed with her pew, for other reasons,
however. 1t was in location OF cheap
SlttlngS, and one set off for those who
could pay nothing at all for gospel priyi-
leges. She belonged to the latter class,
and the proud-Spirited, sensitive maiden
lady imagined that the whole congrega-
ton was aware Of the fact, and always
had 1t in mind whenever her personality
attracted casual attention
As she loved the church services, this
reminder of her poverty, therefore, was
a regular weekly modification But not
always II the same degree. When she
was unusually lonely, or felt particularly
shabby, the feeling was intensified; but
sometimes, when too poor to add even a
nickel to the contribution box, or when
tortured with anxiety in regard to her
overdue rent, then only the free pew al
TO no thorr hn A,N-I,
Miss Amber was entirely alone in the
world. Less than 4 year before she had
lost the only near relative remaining to
her, young niece, who was nearly pre-
pared to support them both by teaching
Her death left the poor lady without
compromising, the most essential factor
III her sum Of happiness
MISS Amber was sure that if only
she could sit farther forward and nearer
the prominent members of the church.
she should become better acquainted. and
that their social life might touch if it did
not absolutely include her. which at once
Destrays this maiden lady's country
breeding
Often she would pass out at the close
OF the morning service without having
received word or even q nod from
anyone When this happened at the
weep all the way home, through sheer
loneliness and disappointment
Today the minister's theme was
christian Fellowship"
AS a poetical application to his text
ne urged the congregation not to hasten
out as soon as the benediction was pro
nounced, but pause to grasp him and
each other by the hand
Miss Amber leaned forward, fearful
of losing a word.
In her eagerness Of listening she
grasDed the back of the pew in front
,Af hot
usually kept her fingers doubled int
the palm of her hand. Now all their bare
tips were exposed through her worn Isle
gloves.
She acquiesced in every word that the
munster sad: The friendly congrega-
ton OF village church was what he
was unconsciOusly depicting, and Miss
Amber could have furnished effactive
points to his description.
1t made her both sad and happy tc
be 50 reminded of those bygone Sab
bath days. The cordial greeting in the
AISLE as she came out of her fathers pew;
the respectful inquiries that checked her
progress through the vestibule; the lin
gerlng messages and goodbys that fol
lowed her down the high, old-fashioned
steps, and -companionship all the
way nome In those days she could
ship instead of waiting patiently and
WiStfnlly to receive them
Ihat the sermon would have imme-
date effect. in kind if not in degree.
upon All other listeners, Miss Amber
never doubted
49, This will open the eyes of those cen
ter aisle folks, she said to herself
1hey give so much money to the
chlrch every year, and are SO we'll ac-
Qualnted that they haven't realized that
strangers and poor members like me
can nave the same home-feeling here
that they do
30 she waited trustingly, building So
clal air castles meanwhile
suppose, for instance. that the minis
ter words should remind Mrs Col Ey-
erell that Miss Amber was her neigh
Dor as well as sister in the church. Per
maps then she would come straight to
her seat and apologize for not having
called and say she was surely going to
do 50 soon.
Miss Amber had long felt that if Mrs.
Eyerell only would pay her little at
tention. would act as if their church rela-
ton was a bond even if living next door
10 her was none, she should be happy
il everyone else neglected her.
She had reached the door now and
paused to look back. There seemed to
be quite,a display of Christian fellowship
Up near the chancel. The minister was
making his way down the center aisle
shaking hands right and left
Mrs. Col. Eyerell was one of 4 laugh
lng, chatting group bearing down upon
him rs be drew near, with a confused
nlurmur Of observations and congratulate
ticn.
Miss Amber watched the scene with
self-respcct. and her wistfGI heart pull
ing two ways. One said, "You have
given time enough to anyone who had