The Jasper news., 1902-11-27
Thanksgiving Day

met and decided that inasmuch as the
grown up folks would not help in the
matter, they would do what they could
so they voted pay over every bit there
was in the treasury. Upon counting s23.
% was found to be the correct amount.
ooh, girls," cried Lottie Newman, as
she made some figures n the treasurer's
book, "It will make just even s75 and /
hope We eau get enough to make it q
hundred"
After the choir bad run over the Sun
day hymns, someone proposed that they
pay the proceeds of the last concert on
the salary, The sum Of 80. %; after ro-
ferring 10 the margin of his anthem
book, the chorister reported that it
would make S52 all told On Thanks
giving morning they would call at the
parsonage and surprise the pastor with
check for this amount. Perhaps it
would somewhat atone for the sin Of
Whispering during tn sermon.
Thanksgiving day was u trying time
for the Norwoods. The baby was sick
the night before and kept them awake;
and when they did get to rest, they ov-
erslept, What with rushing TO get
breakfast over and make ready for the
service at church, prayers we're shorten
ed and the chapter omitted altogether.
"Oh, Wesley, | am 50 tired! Every
thing has goue wrong today" said Mrs.
Norwood that Afternoon. "The chill
dren never were so naughty before
What will people say about Robbie fight
ingY The four-bar-el is empty, the po-
tatoes are al gone, and we have not
thing in the house for breakfast, only
bread and butter, and the grocer sent US
word yesterday taat we could not have
another thing until we paid him. What
shall VIC doY" After which l.ngthy and
somewhat incoherent speech, she laid
her head on his shoulder aud found ref.
! uge in tears.
"Never mind, Dear; the Lord will pro-
vide''i then slowly added, as if an after
thought, ''sume way
\ few minUtes later Pestor Norwood
was bowling to tie organist, who slipped
II check ia his hand and said properly,
with complemenss of the choir" Just
as tney were seated the door bell rang
again, anu TINS time the Junior society
marched enmasss aud the astouisheu
minister stood speechess with a check
III either hand. Then the older society
came and presently the Ladies' Aid, aud
last Of slt the trusteeG, al adding their
offerings and crowding the small rooms.
Each parry looked stiiily askauce ut the
others, wondering by what tricKery their
secret had become known.
After an hour Of discourse and song,
the treasurer arose and said:
"a few days since our pastor had re-
ceived but ID mere pittanco for many
months Of faithful labor. While he had
wrought earnestly for the church aud
its societies, so that, for the first time in
years, ali were in a prosperous condi-
tion, be unseltshly forgot his own needs.
No, no! brother Norwood, you must
permit me TO finish. Then one society
after another, by some strange coincl-
dence, conceived the thought OF giving
the pastor pleasant Thanksgiving sur
prise. 1t is is needless to say that We
have surprised each other quite rs we'll
But best of all, find that IL the few
days OF unconscious cooperation, We
have increased the amount paid ou sala
ry Just five hundred dollars. This shows
what We can do when We all work to-
gether. move you as u congregation,
that we increase our pastors SALARY
from six hundred TO eight hundred dol
lars year.
1t was carried with a rush, even Bro
ther Cook assenting. Pastor Norwood
arose, aud with tears Of joy trickling
down his cheeks, thanked them simply.
Some said they sung the doxology as
never before; at least there were two
voices that rang out with new inspira-
ton Of faith.
When they we're once more at home,a
the children in bed Wesley Norwood
again took his wife in his arms and
opening his Bible at place much mar
ked and worn, they read together with
the children, "And it shall come TO pass
that before they call will answer, and
while they are yet speaking will hear. |"