The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1904-02-21
A SERMONETTE.
The Experience Of Collector. Who
BIindIy Volunteered to Collect.

Being endowed with a pessimistic cor
science, and physically unable toNlsit.
one day. in bit of mental aperratloh'
offered my services to Rev Or. Matth'ae'
rector of the Church of the Love OF God.
q,he dear old gentleman's face beamei
with pleasure, and clasplrg my hand in
both of his, he shook it warmly
NV Dear Mrs Eden, you are the very
person have been thinking Of said he,
Yes. 1 do need some help. and am de.
lighted to find one SO ready, willing and
enable: this is such an unexpected lift
to my mind; l hardly know how to thank
VOC. We are in need of little money to
carry on our work, and here Is list Of
Names of persons whom / think it woul |
be well for you to see. Now will you
do this as soon as possible, and let me
hear from you? Good bye. / certainly
do appreciate your Offer
\ few hours after, I was at the doo-
OF most estimable woman, and after
explaining to her my business, asked her
if she would not go with me; she very
adi City changed the conversation. l then
stated the case to another friend, whom
/ knew was very fond of our rector; she
seemed to take great interest in the bust
ness, and agreed to assist me. 1T is a
disagreeable duty I know, Mrs. Eden, and
NEST of people shirk it, but never do, so
] VIII be ready at the appointed hour :"
The next day ! received a message from
her to this effect: 'She was very busy
aud could not 60 with me" After making
TWO or more applications and meeting
with the same answer, l asked myself
whether. the duty was really such dis
agreeable one, or was J. personally so.
Flrally bethought me of young friend,
fresh and attractive, who consented to go
over the ground with me. Providing my
self with cards and number of circulars,
which would explain our business, We
ventured out the next morning.
We turned our horses head down one OF
the principal streets at the corner Of
which we saw mutual friend a man
who stood high, socially and financially.
AS soon as he saw the carriage, he imme-
diately turned his back upon us and be-
cugne much interested in conversation
with his elbow neighbor; nor lid he dis
continue his conversation until his atten-
ton was called to us by our coachman.
Good morning, Mr. Earl said l, chow
do you feel?"
Il felt a great deal better before saw
&C. u.
circulars, he glanced over it and giving
1T back to me, remarked: 81 have given
one dollar, all intend to give
But we need so much, and Mrs. Pc
gram. Ga widow in limited circumstances
has given five dollars, and so has cousin
Dick Ballentine''
why are you kin to Dlck?' he asked.
Nils. Eden, I have been knowing you
n 1: IA: LII
idea you had such iilustrious kinsfoiks
do tell me how that happened?"
Some things l cannot account for
was my reply.
'Well if you are kin to Dick o. course,
I'll give five dollars; here Peter he
called. turning to his clerk, bring out
FIVE dollars, no four, have already give1
one. Now be sure Mrs. Eden to give in
this money and don't you forget it either.
Good bye
Our next call was upon professional
gentleman, having an income of about
'usand dollars; his family
hree persons.
do you think I ought to
was his polite query.
guage a persons gifts, l
what they are able to
re you the change for one
wondering in my soul
t. well give me forty
i've you sixty, that is all
very MUCH / said, and
wealthy widower living
for his liberality and en-
y we found him in his
the carriage. / handed
which, alter carelessly
tore in half and dropped
said he, cycling my bean
from head to foot, you
erson in town who could
Iollar out OF me today"
MYSELF" l timidly asked.
Judas, you hold TIE
1t small, modest looking
-,----,-.o hung from my arm.
Among my friends, there was one az
whose hospitable home l had spent many
pleasant hours; she came out to the ear
Iiage, with deeply corrugated brows, her
purse in one hand and my circular in
the other.