The Middleburgh post. [volume] (Middleburgh, Snyder Co., Pa.) 1883-1916, 1902-03-06

! mUVs r,ensc eAclttment IN tHe meet
ing when they were finished by NOV.
ing that dozen new sheets and sets
Of pillow cases be made at the next
meeting for the parsonage. Miss So
phronia's faction had been much de-
pressed by the shirt movement, but
their spirits arose in this affair. Mrs.
Peter Nesbitt, her aunt, moved to in
clude another tablecloth and dozen
napkins.
"That will shut out the Bowleses,"
she whispered to her sister-in-law.
"They are so great on table linen I
knew they were going to move table
cloth or napkins"
It was certainly the turn of the
Bowles party to do something supe.
rior. In the meantime Parson Alpheus
had spent Sunday with Judge Bowles
at Maple Side; had taken tea with Miss
Celia's aunt and attended family din
ner at DR.. Nesbitts. He had gone on
his way without displaying any pref
erences; indeed, he modestly talked
to the married women and avoided fs-
male society. From the three candl.
dates he fairly ran, and 1t was said that
Alfaretta aided and abetted him in sew.
eral flights down rear lane.
But the change from busy city par
ish on account OF his health was try
ing to the parson. His leisure was irk-
'ome. He was unutterably lonesome
without that constant press and hurry
Of mission work, boys clubs and parish
interests. He longed for 1t because IL
had filled his days and made him sleep
from sheer weariness. He missed
Eloise more than for ten years. Even
Alfaretta noticed II.
"You're lonesome" she said, tersely.
"well, it's material. Why don't you 60
calm on the ladies?"
Alpheus regarded her with frown.
"With all this commotion and talk?
I'm afraid to speak to single woman"
Alfaretta laughed.
"They've actually bit of their own
noses" she said, sagely, "but you can
visit the sick. hear that the Widow
Paul's little Phil is down with fever.
I'm fixing up some jelly now for some
one TO take down there. The fever al
ways does bad work In those creek bot
| toms"
Thus Alfaretta became an humble in
strument in the hands of Providence.
The parson went, not only one day, but
another, to the several sick souls on
the fats. And, ministering, forgot his
! loneliness once more.
The sewing circle met one afternoon
at the parlors over the Sunday school
rooms. They were to finish up six sets
: Of rufiied Swiss curtains, deemed nee
essary by the Bowles faction, to light
en- up the parsonage bedroom windows.
They were discussing whether they
might not now take up some work for
the heather, when Miss Sophronia
( Nesbitt came in. She seemed decidedly
! thoughtful.
II don't hold doing anything for the
heather just now" she said; mot un.
til We do a little for those sick peo.
pie on the fats. They need sheets and
pillow cases and nightgowns. The
minister has been taking over the par.
sonage things. There are IL cases oi
fever and ii is certainly spreading"
Does your paw think it's catch
ing?" inquired the anxious mother.
"IIe says tsinfectious," replied Miss
sophy, "and Brother Wentworth has
been over there day and night. Paw
says he's run down anyhow. Seems al
II we ought TO do MORE"
"What can we do?' said Miss Julia
in her superior way. "Pm willing ID
give money. Why not get nurse oI
two from the city and relieve us from
feeling that we are doing nothing?g
II Was voted an excellent plan. hv,