Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1901-06-29
The Minister'S Pie.

cOuld get one look, just to satisfy my
own mind" she added. And determin-
ed to accomplish her object at all haZ-
yards. she ran a knife deftly around
small portion of the edge, andinsertlns
four inouisitive fingers lifted the brown
crust. and took glimpse of the con-
tents.
A look of unmtigated disgust passed
over her face. Dropping into a con-
venient chair, she actually groaned
aloud:
|, We'll, / never. An we payin that
man $500 a year, besides IA donation
party at Christmas. Ough.
Unsuspicious Mrs. Graham, as she
returned with the yeast, was some
what puzzled by the sudden freshness
of her guest, who hurried out OF the
house as if some dreadful contagion
had haunted it: but when the minis
ter. in carving the pie that the dea-
cons wife had sent. made two curious
discoveries almost simultaneously. the
reason for Patience's altered demeanor
was made plain. and the young pair
INDUCED in a hearty laugh that made
the old parsonage ring like peal of
Thanksgiving bells.
The Tuesday following was the regu-
lar day for the weekly sewing circle.
and seldom had that interesting gather
ing proved so lively and animated as
on this occasion.
Miss Patience was in the field bright
and early. and it was evident at a
glance to those who knew her best.
that she was well-nigh bursting with
some important secret that she was
only awaiting a fitting opportunity to
divulge That opportunity was not
long coming, for Mrs. Deacon Farrell.
who was a constitutional croaker.
took occasion to say. in reference to
the hard times:
The Deacon has been tryin' ter col
iect the church tax. and he says he
never found money SO tight in all the
years he's lived here. It's as hard ter
re five dollars now as il used ter be
ten dollars
And no wonder" spoke up Miss Pa
thence. with the stony severity of a
sphynX. You can't expect folks ter
like rayin out their money when they
see il fairly thrown away and vast
ed"
Everybody looked curious. and some
of the younger girls began to bride
deiiantly. The minister's sweet
young wife was evidently favoritc
with them. at least.
What do you mean by that" asked
Mrs. Deacon. pointedly. Mis- Graham
is young and inexperienced. to be sure:
but. as Deacon was sayin' only yes
terday. she does very well indeed,
considerin'."
Miss Patience tossed her head know
ingly. Il don't want ter say nothin' to
hurt her but Twin next door. as do.
can't always help seem and hearn'
things that other folks can't be expect
ed to know about. an when | see an
know things like"
There was an ominous pause. and
the deacon's wife asked eXcitedly:
Like WHAT
Chicken pies. with the legs and
feet of the chicken baked in"
Had a thunderbolt fallen among
them. il could not have caused greater
surprise to these tidy. thrifty. New
England housekeepers than this
deradful revelation of the incapacity
of their pastors young wife.
Are you sure of it," gaSpcd one
ma iron. breaking the ominous silence.
Il know Of it for a fact" was sol
emily returned.
chicken legs in a pie
Shes d born fool" calculated the
Deacon's wife. Indignantly. and I'm
thankful for her poor husbands sake.
that / sent her over one my pies yes
terday. They had to throw hers away,
- h.f h.. 49,
have ter go without his Thanksgivin'
breakfast on account of her ignorance
and shiftessness.
How did you know about the pie"
asked one of the girls.
Miss Patience bristled detiantly.
That's nobody's business but my
own" she retorted. tartly. Il don't go
round to find out hinSs that don't con
Germ me. I'd have you know: but
when they're thrown right into my
face. as you might say. | don't shut
my eyes no more'n other folks.
Just here the door opened. and in
walked the subject of their CONVERSE
ton. her pretty face glowing with the
hast she had made, and a miSchicvouS
,winkle in her brown eyes that nobody
noticed. SO occupied were they in hid
ing the confusion that he- sudden en-
trance had created.
Walking up to the table where most
of the ladies were sitting. she saluted
them cordially. and then holding out
upon the tip Of one slender finger "A
well-worn silver thimble, she said
archly:
Where do you think I found your
thimble. Miss Patience?'
So pleased was Miss Patience to re-
gain her lost treasure that she forgot
for a moment all her assumed dignity.
and exclaimed. joyfully:
We'll. I declare. am glad to 500
that thimble once more | told Mary
Jane that | felt sure ! had it on my
finger when | ran into your house
mornin' arter the yeast.
But VIXEN | got home it want no
vhcrc to be found. Now. where did
find it, i.
Her shrill high voice had attracted
the attention Of all in the room. and
everybody looked up Curiously as the
minister's wife replied, with an inno
cent smile:
In the chicken pie that our good
friend herc'-and she nodded brightly
lDf hn