The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-08-08
MRS. MUMFoRD's FIRST CALLER
Looked Like a Minister Until He Elk
planned Matters.

planned Matters.
From the Chicago nmes-Herald)
When the Mumfords moved to, Oak PARK
last spring they went into the town as
utter strangers, and owing to the fact that
they have had few callers 1t has been
rather lonely. Mrs. Mumford especially
has found life dull and monotonous during
the last three months.
IT'S all right for you, Fred" she said to
her husband one evening a few weeks ago.
because you go into town every day and
meet your business acquaintance, but
think of ME being alone out here with
no friends to run in and see and nobody
even to speak to on the street. Unless we
begin TO get acquainted pretty soon l just
won't be able to stand it."
We'll, Elizabeth" Mr.. Mumford replied,
m sorry for you, but, honestly, don
know how can help matters. If the la
dies won't call certainly can't go out and
drag them in
NO." she answered, but there's one
thing you can do. You can go to church
with me. We've been barbarians long
enough. There's nothing like a church for
bringing people together. If we become
regular attendants somewhere it'll not be
long before the members of it begin to take
an interest in us. And the best thing
about making friends in this way is that
you needn't be afraid you'll get in with
the wrong set. One never runs any risk
In getting acquainted with church people.
Let's take pew somewhere and begin to
go regularly
Frederick Mumford could think OF no
good argument to make against his wife s
proposition, and therefore consented to
her plan.
On the following Sunday they went to
church and were cordially welcomed.
There were no callers during the first
weez after their regeneration, but they
tried it second time, and after the SER
vices were over several of the members
shook hands with them and announced
their intention to CALL
i must tell DR.. Goodleigh about you
said genial, motherly looking lady to
Mrs. Mumford, and | know ne will be
pleased TO give you special invitation to
join our church, The doctor is such fine
man! He's been away for the last month
or so, but We expect him back this week
Two or three days later Mrs. Mumford
was Sitting on the front porch. busy with
her fancy work, when a gentleman whose
long, black coat was closely buttoned,
turned up the walk toward her. She
hastily put her work aside and advanced
10 meet him at the steps.
He had his card ready. and as he held ii
out he said: Good morning. Is this Mrs.
Mumford? l am DR.. -"
Ou, i III very Sldu 10 see you,
deed she replied, taking the card and
shaking his hand without waiting for him
to finish. Wont you come into the par
lor?'
He followed her inside and sat down in
the chair that she pushed forward for him.
i suppose Mrs. Pleasanton spoke to you
about US. She told me she intended TO do
80. It's very kind of you to call so soon.
You see we are strangers here, and il has
Int 7 Inn
shall like your church very much. Pm so
sorry my husband isn't here to meet you.
He has never been much of churchgoer
and / must confess that we had rather an
unworthy motive in starting here, at first.
1t was TO get acquainted rather than to be
better people, that We decided to become
regular attendants OF course ] have al
ways wanted to be connected with some
church. but l have never been able TO get
Mr.. Mumford to go. Now l am beginning
TO hope that he will get interested and
want to join. Our coming out here will be
the greatest blessing that could have hap
pened to us If he does that Ny folks are
ali Episcopalians, and my Uncle Alfred is
senior warden in one of the churches at
Cincinnati. But must admit that l hardly
like so much form as they go through with,
especially in the high church, and that's
the one we have always belonged to. l
would prefer some other denomination on
my husbands account, If not on my own,
because he is very much opposed TO any
thing but the simplest kind of service. His
people are Baptists but he is rather in
clined TO break away from them, too. Do
you believe in hell fire and close cemmun-
ion? There's no use trying to get Mr..
Mumford into e church where they scare
people.
Hes very peculiar in some ways, but
the best-hearted man you ever saw. What
beautiful church you have. and how
lovely the members all are. What do you
think Of infant damnatlon? Ny sister
Maud, who lives in Buffalo, lost such
sweet little girl year ago this summer,
and she wasn't baptized. Oh we all feel
Just terrible about 1t. They didn't belong
TO any church. and SO 1t was neglected
1t almost breaks my heart every time l
think of IT, for we loved the dear little
thing just as much as if she had been
our own That's one reason why tell my
husband we ought to belong. for you never
can tell what might happen. Often and
often / wake up at night and see the sweet
little white face and wonder II there could
be such a thing as that innocent lamb lost
forever, Just because her parents didn't
have her baptized. Excuse me. doc-doc-
tor, can't help cr-erying whenever
think Of IT.
The gentleman had tried two or three
times to say something, but Mrs Mumford
was full of her subject and there had been
few people whom she could talk to. so sho
went on until overcome by grief. Then he
got a chance and. standing up. he said:
Madame. ] see there has been a mis-
take. 1 am not a preacher. / tried to tell
you my name. but l guess you didn't hear
it. l am selling a medical work that |
think you would find a valuable thing to
bave in the house. SIN. / shall not ask
you 20 allow me to explain it If you are
not"
The look which had spread over Mrs.
Mumford's features apparently convinced
him that a further explanation was unnec-
essary. and, bidding her good morning, he
backed out OF the houXe-
She watched him from behind the cur
tsins and saw that he hurried around the
nearest corner without stopping at any OF
the other houses on the street
NOT OF THE RESIGNING KIND.
A Railway Conductor Who Could Not