The Baltimore County union. [volume] (Towsontown, Md.) 1865-1909, 1900-02-24
his ONLY FAULT.

The Rev. Edward Ferris threw
himself wearily down on the worn
couch in his study. He had not ac-
complished one Of the things he had
planned for this day, and yet it had
been very busy one. In the morn
ing he had been called to conduct a
funeral service four mile away, and in
the afternoon had come a summons to
sick parishioner, which necessitated
a bicycle ride over rough country
road in another direction, When he
reached home he found members of
the building committee awaiting him
to request that he would on next Sab
bath morning urge his people to con-
tribute more generously toward the
church fund. With the usual vo.u-
bility of countrymen it had taken
them long time to decide upon the
programme for Sunday morning.
But first he would open the question
box, which, for the benefit of his
hearers, he had fastened on the chapel
door. Perhaps at the prayer meeting
the night before some troubled heart
had come to him for help.
The number of letters surprised
him. There were actually six. Mum
Der one was the simple query which
has puzzled men since the world be-
gan: rs it ever right to do evil
that good may Gomez" The second
"Please preach from the text, -Four
and twenty knives. And the third
''Do you believe it possible for any
one to attain perfection in this life?"
"The other three, which seemed
long letters, he left until last. Their
contents surprised and shocked him.
The fourth stated that in view of the
heavy expenses which the church had
to support, it seemed to the writer,
and perhaps to others, that it would
be much better if they had a pastor
who would come to them for a small
er salary. Being deeply attached to
to the greatest number must a1ways-
be considered. And so, laying all
selfish considerations aside, the writer
remained his sincere well-wisher.
There was, of course, no signature.
The tenor of the fifth was much the
same, except that this writer thought
if they could have an unmarried man
for the pastor it would be better. In
these hard times retrenchment was
necessary everywhere, and with
minister without family they would
be able to economic much.
The last began with an apology,
but after few lines merged into the
statement that these are progressive
times, and fresh, young ideas ever in
demand. The only fault to be found
with their pastor was that he was
growing old and younger man would
be more acceptable.
Growing DID," Mr.. Ferris had
dreaded the time when he would reach
the ministerial "dead line," but he
had not thought that it came so early.
He had just PISSED his forty second
birthday. To be sure, gray hairs
were plentiful, and there were many
lines of care in his fine face. How
ever, he had come at the wish of this
people, and at their wish he would
go. So, with a 1anguid step, Ed
ward Ferris crossed the village street,
and entered the plain little manse.
His wife looked up with a CHEEKY
smile, and then, as she saw his sad
face, exclaimed, whats the matter,
dear"
The thought that this sorrow must
touch this sweet woman, who, be-
cause she loved him, had so bravely
borne many trials, but added to his
trouble. 1t concerned her, too, how
ever; so for answer he handed her
one of the letters.
Her merry laugh rang out as she
finished. 80, Edward, isn't it funny !?
They think the magnificent sum Of
one thousand dollars, paid when they
please, too much. l don't we'll see
how we could do with less, but will
econonize if they'll suggest the way.
Have you any more?"
Without a word he gave her the
next, but no merry laugh greeted its
close, only faint smile, as she said /:
$50 we are the mill stones about your
neck. 1t is pity. darling, but they
can hardly expect you to put me
away, for 1 wouldn't go if you did.
Baby Dorothea is just beginning to
walk, and seems not quite able to
leave the nest yet. Even Charlie, in
his first trousers, needs little care.
Poor, lame Arthur couldn't do much
in the cold, cruel world. Even Mary,
Jessie and Frank can do nothing for
you. Dear, we are only seven bur-
dens, with nothing to pay you but
love-"
"The most blessed coin in all the
world" answered Edward Ferris, in
true lover fashion. "Then, read this,
dear, for it seems like the key to the
Others"
Mrs. Ferris did not smile now.
The brown eyes flashed, and bright
spot of red came into each cheek, as
she said: "It's shameful ! You too
old :! They forget how, at their re-
quest, you declined that call to Plain
field with less work and a larger sal
ary. Do they think that years of
thinking and studying and living
count for nothing Don't they know
they make you better able to help
them? cannot understand it, dear.
In law, in medicine, or any other pro-
fession indeed, in almost any walk
of life, experience counts. 1t is in
the ministry alone that man who