The Camden chronicle. (Camden, Tenn.) 1890-current, 1901-11-15
THE MINISTER'S YOUNG WIFE.


'Wen now. for my part Miss Post.
as ! was telling them two ladies. /
always liked your husbands preach
ing"
Mrs. Dale measured out two yards
OF lace and counted three dozen pearl
buttons, large and small. before she
looked up into the sweet face Of the
pastors young wife. The rosy cheeks
were pale now and the pretty mouth
was slightly drawn. II seemed Is II
It would not take much to cause Mrs
Posts blue eyes to al with tears.
Mrs. Dale shrewdly guessed as much
but she said nothing, except to wish
her customer a pleasant good morning
as she went away.
Della Post knew we'll enough what
to surmise from the remarks made by
the portly widow Somebody must
have been critlcising Homer's ser
mons, 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, De-
lia dear?" he asked kindly, laying
down his pen.
Nothing much" but as If to con-
tradict her words she sat down in an
easy chair and commenced to cry.
What can it be?" thought the min
ister 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 19-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.
as that all, child? certainly
thought you had bad news from home.
OF course, everybody does not like my
preaching. How could that be posi-
BILE? l do my best, and, with the
Lords help, / trust that some word
may comfort OF cheer a longing lonely
soul"
you are so good" replied Della,
and Homer, do not help you at all.
was never cut out for a preachers
wife. Do you remember how
laughed that day at Sister Hathaways
when she was telling about her sons
misdeeds? Wasn't it awful? And how
she glared at me.
Mrs. Posts tears had quite disap-
peared now, and her husband looked
down lovingly at the sunny face
ooh, DEAR l entirely forgot those
biscuits They'll be all burned up"
With a gay laugh she sprang dowr
the stairs singing, and the minister
turned again to his work.
"She little knows how much she
helps me with her sweetness and cheer
mess" he murmured But l must b.
more particular about my sermon mex
Sunday | noticed that Brother Nc
Pherson spoke coldly to me last weel
and fear that l do need Sister Dale
kindly words.
Mr.. Post had married Della Harol
about year before She was tn
daughter of a wealthy merchant an
entirely without the experience need
full for a preachers wife, although sh
was a happy Christian and loved he
husband dearly.
sGNTp D0ct ic mt brilliant oh
err, said Brother Mcpherson that ever
ing at an informal meeting held at nj
own house. "He is sincere and goot
believe we could get along with hill
if he were alone, but his wife"
There was an expressive pause, an
then Brother White took up the tai
Eyes, Brother Mcpherson, it's the vii
that is the trouble Not that see muC
amiss in the little girl, myself. She
just the age of my Mary, and l douI
if l should dare to recommend h,
to any one of our young preachers
but all the women are against her"
At Mr.. Whites remark, Mrs. M
Pherson shifted audibly.
81 don't know as it's more the woI
en- than the men but do think tn
the way she wears her hair in tn
sort of pug on top, and them cur
around her face, is a shame and di
grace for preachers wife, or at lea
for our preachers wife
There was a general chorus Of di
sent from the women but Mr.. N
Pherson added, with sly look at
wife:
1aI4Ir rrnrr hnnnnninp 70 hnr Me