The Middleburgh post. [volume] (Middleburgh, Snyder Co., Pa.) 1883-1916, 1902-03-06
The five=cent packet is enough for an Ordin=
ary occasion. : The family bottle, Sixty cents,
contains a supply for yaer.
4 FTER coming to Redwood. Par

FTER coming to Redwood. Par.
n son Wentworth had had to en-
dure as best he could the attentions
of several unmarried ladies Of the
parish. These attentions took shape
on the evening of his arrival
He found a beautiful table laid
in the dining-room, adorned with
precious bits of silver and china and
odorous with flowers. A particularly
beautiful vase bore card announcing
that the supper was "the compliment
OF Miss Sophronia Nesbitt." The par
son ate the supper without thought OF
the donor save that 1t was most deli
cate welcome, but stood aghast when
he entered his bedroom and found 1t
likewise adorned with flowers, the
snowy bed turned back invitingly, mon.
ogrammed towels and even befrilled
night garment conspicuous in its po-
sition. The pincushion, an elaborate
affair in dotted Swiss and lace over
blue, was adorned with an inscription
in pins: Welcome, dear brother!"
and in front of very rampant water
color in gilded frame over the mantei
was another card announcing that
Miss Celia Smickler had prepared this
room with her best compliments"
Descending the stairs, he found the
small parlor or study had been like
wise furnished and adorned by Miss
Julia Bowles, from embroidered foot
rest and tides to lava smoking set.
which made the parson stare.
How did she know about my after.
supper cigar?' he wondered. 1t was
his one weakness.
Alfaretta, the middle-aged help in
the kitchen, afforded the parson no lit.
tie consolation. She was evidently on
the side Of celibacy, and she shifted
contemptuously over the onslaughts Of
the three maiden ladies.
II doubt If you can hold out, sir"
she said, grimly, few days later.
Miss Cely was here this morning, and
the sewing circle is going to begin on
dozen fine shirts for you this after
noon. You're we'll tekkin' care Of
too well, I'm thinkin'. It's no use for
me to say anything. This parish owns
this ere house. sAd In jsss . humble
instrumeat - Ghs1R hn1A:
Rev. AlpAeus Wsas0sseA Wss tall
and good-loohAG. - ~ - arrived
at the age Of - witAsst ssseumbing to
matrimony. A brief romance and Q
briefer welded life had saddened hi,
life-but that was ten years ago, and
now-so the parish said-he should
take r., the first In.
timation of his coming the parish
shifted the battle from afar. Their
were three msidens in Redwood eli
gible and willing to become the wifi,
Of the new parson. BY the time he ar
rived the battle was on and Redwood
was rapturous over a new sensation.
The rivalry was SO open and mani
fest that the parish families began Il
take sides. In the invitations to sup
per and even in outlying places TO
over Sunday that at once crowded il
on Rev. Alpheus, the parish prefer
eaces were plainly shown. AT SOM
houses Miss Julia Bowles, dark ant
earnest, supposed TO be literary aDt
decidedly superior, was asked TO NEE
him. A. other houses Miss Sophronia'
adherents gave her the seat next Il
him al supper and siyly praised he
industry and cooking. Miss Cell;
Smickley had fewer relatives and thu
fewer opportunities, but she made nj
FOR Il by being four or five year
younger, aud was said TO be NOR
worldly.
The actual arena might well be sal
20 be the sewing society, where fh
riyal factions met Over the dozen fin
shirts there was something like opei
warfare, but Miss sophronia create