Freeland tribune. (Freeland, Pa.) 1888-1921, 1900-12-28

{. was regarded as quite an
event by the congregation. A new
minister is always an object of interest
to his people for a month or two, then
the interest flags, and finally he is ac-
cepted as a matter OF course, and
generally to his delights no longer
fused over.
But this particular divine seemed
likely to keep speculation going for a
lorger period than the customary nine
days, and, being somewhat humor-
GUS fellow, he thoroughly enjoyed it.
For the Reverend Jerome Grant was
unmarried-warranted by the gossips
to have no lady love-young, handsome
and possessed of a private income,
which made salary a secondary consid-
GRAFTON. Perhaps that was as well, for
the Locust Hollow flock were not any
too prompt about paying ministers
salaries, and, if one might judge by
such things as yearly reduction of the
same, were willing, as one young fell
low said on a certain occasion, that the
particular clergyman who had the
leading of that particular people,
should be allowed to live entirely by
the grace of God"
Now, in Locust Hollow, there were
number of very plump and pretty girls,
with few slim, graceful damsels; but
the plump ones outnumbered the slim,
as always is the case in country vii
lages, with fresh air, healthy diet, reg
ular hours, and no heavier designations
than a picnic or two yearly, in some
grove in the village, with swings
among the trees, Light lunch spread
on cloth laid over the grass, and per-
chance dance on the green, performed
by the merry young people, with less
grace than zest, is it wonderful that
cheeks remain round and eyes brilliant
in such places as Locust Hollow?
Among the very plumpest of the vii
fage naidens was Gussie Elliston; and
Miss Gussie's blue eyes and radiant
redand-white complexion seemed to
have found favor in the eyes of Mr..
Grant, for he speedily placed himself
on familiar footing at the long, low
farm house, where he met with very
warm greetings from the farmer and
bushes from their daughter.
Among the very slimmest and palest
Of those who listened to the young
minister Sunday after Sunday was
Louise Nennevale, the daughter of
helpless widow. who lived little out
of the village, and who had therefore
escaped the knowledge of Jerome for
some time.
Perhaps Louise's cheeks would have
had more color in them and her eyes
less of that wistful tenderness, did not
the burden Of her own and her invalid
mothers support fall on her slight
young shoulders.
But day after day-on cold, dark
days, when winds swept weirdly by the
little cottage-on warm, wooing days
when her pulses throbbed with longing
to be out among the yiolets-she sat
quietly at the little window, her brown
head bent over the sewing in her
hands, the garments to be worn by
more fortunate ones than herself
which she with deft fingers fashioned.
jerome had noticed the girls sweet,
patient face, and wondered why he
only saw it on Sunday-wondered how
1t was he had never seen it in the many
homes that had been open for him to
enter at, a welcome guest.
But Gussie's blue eyes had been
enough like violets to make him speed
lily forget the wstful brown ones, and
1t was not until he had been installed
at Locust Hollow fol three months,
and had begun tc think that Gussie Ell
liston would make very sweet min
ister's wife, that accident brought him
to the door of the cottage which the
Widow Vennevale and her daughter
occupied.
| 1t was warm the young man was
too, and tired, from long ramble; he
! was thirsty as well; and so, after hes
| itating few moments. he knocked
| lightly on the open door, intending to
ask for glass of water.
His knock had not been heard. evil