The silver messenger. (Challis, Idaho) 1890-1912, 1903-12-22
The Minister'S
Wooing s
BY JULIA TRUITT BISHOP
Copyright, 1903. By Daily Story Pub. oo.)


z AND!" said little Mrs. barrow,
E. who the new boarder had ir-
ritated to the last degree.
Somehow, it had come to be under
stood that every single minister Of her
persuasion should board with Mrs.
barrow; and that without exception
they were all benedicts when their
term of incumbency had expired. Her
husband had been a minister. in the
first place. and though he had passed
to his reward many years before, her
house was still a home for all the
brethren who wandered her way. The
last minister, a widower of several
years standing, had been mothered by
Mrs. Darrow, and by her had been in
troduced TO that pretty Mrs. Ingle, who
was just laying aside second mourn
ing" and venturing into the lavender
which was so becoming. As a result,
they had been married just before the
annual conference which called him
to another fold. 1t was conceded that
Mrs. barrow had some talent as a
matchmaker. Mrs. Darrow had heard
it whispered about, herself, and while
denying that she had anything to do
with it, there had been a twinkle in
her eyes. 1t was not good for any man
to live alone, least of all minister
She had been a minister's wife-she
hoped she knew what was pest for all
OF them.
And now had come this tall and
handsome man Of 30-and still I'M
married! On Sunday. Mrs. barrow.
from her eoign Of ventage in the Amen
corner, looked abroad over the congre-
CATION and saw what a large contin-
gent there was of devout young wo-
men; picture hats waving airy plumes;
curling tendrils of hair; eyes softly
dropping; flushed cheeks-she knew
all the signs of interest in Christian
life that were visiable when the min
lister was young. did that astute little
woman in the amen corner. Why,
there was even old Miss Fannie Jen-
nings, in the very first row, hanging
on every word the minister uttered,
with such look!-and casting seorn-
full glanees between whites at the
younger sisterhood. She'll come to
see me now from morning till night -
said Mrs. DaTrow to herself when she
should have been thinking of higher
things: and after she had marked the
text in her Bible she wandered OF
mentally into a thoughtful review of the
picture hats and the faces under them
And Mrs. Darrow and circumstance
proceeded to lay traps for the Rev
Marcus Fairing. When he emerged
from his study at the call for dinner,
blushing young ladies were there, be-
RULED and white-aproned and pretend
ing TO help Mrs Darrow serve the
meal; and the Rev. Marcus ate absent
ly and went back to his study without
even an apology When he was ready
for prayer meeting. on Wednesday
evening, and came forth to walk to the
church with Mrs Darrow, white gar
ments glimmered through the moon
light, and Mrs. barrow said limo
Gently:
"oh, Mr.. Fairing. Daisy came over
this evening. and made her stop and
so to prayer meeting with us"
And the young minister walked be-
side Mrs. barrow and helped her over
the rough places. and talked to her;
and pretty girl went home from pray
er meeting with flushed face and tear
full eyes.
Mrs. Darrow talked in the most i'm
personal manner. at the Sunday even
ing table:
Juliet Marcy sent me word to come
by for her this evening-but it is so
far out of my way-and I find that /
don't get about as easily as l used. 1t
is such pity-she won't have any
company"
The minister looked up in surprise.
Mrs. Dane lives next door to Miss
Maryland never fails to be at
church, he said Mrs Darrow was
filed with resentment. Il can't see
why a minister shouldn't think about
saving the girls and young women Of
his congregation, she said to herself.
"of course he'll never be able to do as
much good. holding himself aloof this
way. It's enough to make heathens of
the girls, that's what it is
But when she intimated something
of the kind to him, in a mere abstract
way. there was a CLEAN of something
that might have been laughter under
his lashes.
Il feel quite sure that my work