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

pushed to the wall"
"You are not an unprejudiced
Judge, my DEAR" answered her hus-
band, though mentally he agreed with
her.
Far into the night they talked, try
ing to plan for the future. The old
er children were so nicely settled in
school. They all had grown to love
this place and people, and had hoped
the people loved them. Laying all sell
fish considerations aside, it did seem
as if even here there was work to be
done. The new church was not yet
finished, and there were so many care
less, troubled ones whom they had
hoped to bring to the only sure Com !
fort. 1t could not be that their work
here was ended. So they hoped this
was not the voice of the church.
Next day Mr.. Ferris met some of
his church officials, who, after little
hesitation admitted that his unknown
correspondents had spoken the truth.
They were sorry to have Mr.. Ferris
leave them. In the eight years he
had been with them they had grown
deeply attached to him, but it seem
ed necessary, and he probably would
be able soon to find better place.
Accordingly, Mr.. Ferris began to
look about him. His church had for
some time been doing likewise, and
already had their minds and hearts
fixed on beardless youth, fresh from
the seminary, with no incumbrance i'll
the shape of wife and children. Since
he was ready to accept a call, it seem
ed best for Mr.. Ferris to leave, But
where should he go? Even from his
munihcent salary Of a thousand dol
lars he had been able to save nothing.
The vague rumor that old age was
his "only fault did not help his can
didacy. A man with wife and six
children depending on him, and no
home or salary in prospect, must ex-
per1ence many anxious moments. Mr..
Ferris was no exception. He began
to feel really old. That strange feel
ing about his heart which had occa-
sionally troubled him came more fire.
quently now.
The day for his farewell sermon
came, and with aching heart and
trembling voice, he spoke to them
for the last time. He told them how
he regretted his fault of growing old,
fault which each year would but in
crease, and yet fault which would
overtake each and every one of them.
He spoke of his wish, too, that he
might meet with them in the new
building, for which they had worked
and prayed together. Then as he
went on to say that ne had hoped that
his years of study, and of suffering, |
years of of varied human experiences
yould haXs pade him erorf be1lBBfue
DToke, he turned deathly pale, and
sank into chair gasping for breath.
Tenderly he was carried to his home,
and lovingly he was watched. The
doctor talked vaguely of undue ex-
citement, and weak heart, and ad-
ministered his remedies; but without |
avail, for just as the sunset light was
gliding the hills with glory, heavens
gates seemed to open, and Edward
Ferris was in that land where the in
habitants never grow old.
Mrs. Ferris received from the Off
GERS of the church a beautiful set of |
resolutions, grieving that a mysteri-
ous Providence had taken from them,
in the prime of life, their dearly lov-
ed friend and pastor. She was CRATE
full for their sympathy, and yet being
a woman, not an angel, and wonder
ed if she might not have been spared
this grief if they had borne more pa
tiently with her loved ones "only
fault. Tile Presbyterian.