The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1901-10-24
THE MINISTER'S YOUNG WIFE.


lace and counted three dozen pearl but
tons, large and small, before she looked
up into the sweet face of the pastor S
young wife. The rosy cheeks were pale
now and the pretty mouth was slightly
drawn 1t seemed as if it would not
take much to cause Mrs. Posts blue
eyes to fill with tears.
Mrs Dale shrewdly guessed as much,
but she said nothing more, except to
wish her customer pleasant good
morning as she went away.
Della Post knew well enough what to
surmise from the remarks made by the
pOrtly widow. Somebody must have
been criticising Homer's sermons, or
Mrs. Dale would not have defended
them.
Into the door of the pretty gabled
cottage which the good people of West
End had provided for their pastor, the
young wife went and straight into the
tiny study where her husband sat at his
desk.
Has something troubled you, Della,
dear" he asked kindly, laying down his
pen.
Nothing much; but, as if to contra
dict her words, she sat down in an easy
chair and commenced to cry.
what can it be:f thought the minis
ter as he vainly tried to soothe his
wife.
In a few moments the story came out:
for Della Post was very young indeed
only Just nlneteen-and She had not
learned to keep her troubles shut up
within her own heart, rather than add
another burden TO the one who was SO
dear to her
Mr. Posts face cleared rs that all,
child: l certainly thought you had bad
news from home. OF course, every
body does not like my preaching. How
could it be possible? do my best, and
with the Lords help, | trust that some
word may comfort or cheer longing,
lonely soul"
You are so good replied Della;
land Homer, l do not help you at ALL
| was never cut out for a preachers
wife. Do you remember how laughed
that day at Sister Hathaway's, when
she was telling about her sons mis-
deeds: Wasn't it awful? And how she
glared at me-
Mrs. Posts tears had quite disappear
ed now and her husband looked down
lovingly at the sunny face.
"Oh, dear, l entirely forgot those
biscuits. They'll be all burned upn'
With a gay laugh she sprang down
turned again to his work.
''She little knows how much she helps
me with her sweetness and cheerineSS,
he murmered. "But | must be more
particular about my sermon next Sun
day | noticed that Brother Mcpherson
spoke coldly to me last week and | fear
that | do need Sister Dale's kindly
Words
Mr.. Post had married Della Harold
about a year before. She was the
daughter of wealthy merchant, and
entirely without the experience need
full for preachers wife, although she
was happy Christian and loved her
husband very dearly.
Mr. Post is not brilliant preacher"
said Brother Mcpherson that evening
to an informal meeting held at his own
house. He is sincere and good. l
believe we could get along with him
if he were alone. but his wife,
There was an expressive pause. and
then Brother White took up the tale.
YES, Brother Mcpherson, it's the wife
that is the trouble. Not that | see
much amiss in the little girl, myself.
She's just the age of my Mary, and [
doubt if l should dare to recommend
her to any of our young preachers-but
all the women are against her.
At Mr. Whites remark, Mrs. Nc
Pherson shifted audibly.
L don't know as its more the women
than the men; but | do think that the
way she wears her hair in that sort of a
pug on top, an them curlS around her
face, is a shame and disgrace for a
preachers wife, or at Least for our
preachers wife,
There was a general chorus of assent
from the women; but Mr.. Mcpherson
added, with sly look at his wife: Its
very becoming to her, Margaret
To this frivolous statement his wife
vouchsafed no reply.
AS the conversation became general,
bits of criticism might be heard.
''She has four silk dresses"
"And hat to match each one"
"And a sealskin cloak"
This last item of attire seemed to be
particularly Objectionable and the talk
was waxing warm, when Mrs. Harper,
a little, pale-faced woman, who had
heretofore kept silence, said quietly:
Mrs Post was very good to my Dayie
when he was sick. 1t was she who was
with me when he"
The poor mother could not say more
and the meeting was most effectually
broken up. However, it was settled
among the men, nearly all of whom
were leading members of the church,
that change would be desirable
To this end committee was appoint
ed to wait on the pastor a week later,
determined to-as gently as possible
acquaint him with their decision.
These five gentlemen Mrs. Post usher
ed with great graciousness into the tiny
parlor. Excusing herself to call her
husband, she gave the visitors time to
look around the room and find still
more cause for complaint against the
minister's wife
When Mrs. Post came to West End
she had found square parlor with four
low windows, brilliant scarlet carpe
and several stiff chairs. With good
taste and the judicious use of little
money she transformed it. A pretty
rug i'll subdued colors hid the objection
al carpet. Soft inexpensive curtains
were at the windows, and few good
engravings and choice photographs gave
character to the white walls.
After moments delay the minister
entered, and, to the annoyance of all,
after him tripped his wife, who, draw
Ing low chair nearer to the light COM
menced some embroidery, listening,
p,ooowbi1o with doom atfontiop to tbo