The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1903-09-14
BUT A REPETITION
rlEnan

tAEtH Alte-A.I
Aunt Nary was very old She was
stone blind. out like most people who
make up for one deficiency with acute.
ness in anotheE She could hear every.
thing that was even whispered in her
presence, and some people vowed she
could hear more.
The Rev Mr. Boyle. a very young
minister, whose duties as assistant rec.
tor were principally to visit the poor
of the parish. usually got round to a
call on Aunt Mary about 4 o'clock on
Wednesday afternoon. Jennie Pixley,
who sat spellbound ia church on those
rare occasions when Mr.. Boyle was
permitted to preach one Of his rhetoric
al sermons, but had found few oppor-
tunities TO be alone with him, knew
that he visited Aunt Mary on Wednes-
! day afternoons, for she watched him
from behind the blinds going past her
house to do So
One Wednesday afternoon shortly
before 4 o'clock Jennie knocked at
Aunt Mary's door and, being hidden.
entered, finding the old woman knitting
socks in a high backed rocker
Il am Jennie Pixley Aunt Mary
I've often thought how lonely you must
be here by yourself and just came in
to have a little chat with you
That's very kind Of YOU said the
old woman. 7 can't see you. but | can
hear YOU and you have a sweet voice
kindly voice. I'm sure you must be
very unseifsh to come ana see a poor
old woman like me.
Il Jennie felt a little guilty at this, be-
cause In timing her visit she had only
allowed five minutes before the usual
arrival Of the clergyman. Indeed, she
had barely time to express a little sym.
patty before he came in Jennie look.
ed very much put out at being caught
i and expressed wonder how it was
that they happened to meet at the same
hour Of the same day. Mr. Boyle, who
had seen Jehnie's fresh young face and
melting eyes looking up at him when
he occupied the pulpit and had been
longing to meet her, remarked that II
was always pleasant TO cross the path
Of those engaged in the Lords work
whereupon Jennie wondered how he
could be always ready with such
speeches. Together they talked with
Aunt Mary and the Clergyman took
out his notebook to put down what she
required, Jennie volunteering to sup
ply most Of the articles. Then after
many expressions OF sympathy they
, left the house together.
The next Wednesday afternoon Mr.,
Boyle was hurrying past Jennie's
house. when a sudden thought struck
| him and he turned and rang the bell
Jennie was watching him through the
blinds and knew what he wanted In
deed, her hat was pinned on TO her
head preparatory to going with the as
) sistant rector if he should ask her. He
/ did ask her, announcing that Aunt
Mary had been i'll and was rapidly fail
ing
When they reached the house they
I found the old lady In bed and not espe,
: cially alive to what was going on
: They stood over her and looked down
upon her commiseratingly
she's very feeble, poor SOUL" said
the rector.
Every" assented Jennie
II think we had better Sit down and
talk over what it is best to do in the
matter She needs attention"
II can stay this afternoon"
They seated themselves on worn
old sofa to talk over the Lords work.
ut must be very nice for you to have
all the girls in the congregation So
! ready to assist you" remarked Jennie
! Il fear If we hadn't happened accl-
: dentally to meet here / should never
have been called upon.
Not at all When / saw from tile
pulpit your benevolent upturned face
said to myself There is girl for
sacrifice.
did you notice me from the pulpitg
asked Jennie, looking down demurely
II did, and ! said more than I have
repeated"
What moFe?
II said, she has a soul as pure as
q pearl q hearL as true as the =aoiy
gospel and as tender as the tear Of a
repentant Christian
"What moreT
Il said, What lovely rosy cheeks
what shining hair, what soft eyes, and
the mouth is pretty enough to- - He
paused.
"WhatY asked Jennie, looking UP
into his face. a picture Of wonder
Jennies face was near the clergy
mans. and her parted lips were ire
Rstible. For moment there was the
stiffness of-well, Of the sick cham
Der, and then there was smack loud
enough to wake At any rate II
aroused Aunt Mary she uttered a
moan. The two arose from the seat
on which they had been consulting as
to Der requirements, went to her and
stood over her
Aunt Mary" said the clergyman,
''do you want anything?n
Il was dreaming. Was ! dreaming
or was 1t real2 1t can't be- real, be
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