Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1904-06-23
CHAPTER XVI.
SUNDAY IN GREENvALE.


of penancc. No cooking was supposed
to be done, no chores except Imperative
ones, long prayers were repeated night
and morning by the heads of the fami-
lies. two lengthy sermons by the ortho-
hox parson. each extending to "seven-
teenthly." then to finally" and Gin
conclusion occupied most of the day.
To the young 1t was long. solemn pc
Rod of gloom from sun to SUM- and if
a boy was detected near brook, or
caught cracking a nut, merciless pun
shment followed.
When the first bell sounded at nine
O'Clock, all (unlcss siclO were supposed
TO get ready, those at a distance came
in all manner of conVeyances, left lined
mp in the long row Of sheds back of the
church. At ten O'Clock the second bell
was rung. when all were expected to be
in their seats and a pcnitcnt frame of
mind.
II q late-arriving farmer entered,
tiptOoinG down the aisle in tallOwcd,
but squeaking boots. all turned. frown-
ing at him. ard when the last note OF
The tolling bell died away and the par
son arose in the tall pulpit, The So
lemnity was so dense that il could be
felt.
Then came n short prayer, hymn
read in full but abbreviated little 10y
please omit the third and fifth
stanzas." and droncd in long metre by
the assembled sufferers. and after thar
the long prayer in which the worthy
parson not only recited what the Lords
plans were but his theories in refer
ence to them, together with surfeit
of advice. At last Amen" was reached
and then came a general clearing OF
Threats.
At this juncture the old ladies usu-
ally nibbed fennol or tagroot.
Of the sermon that followed. also in
long meter, the least said the better.
Few understood it as anything peril
nent 10 their daily lives or followed it
beyond "trnthly." and when the incvit-
able collection, closing hymn, and ben
ediction ended the two hours of gloom.
he young people at least were glad to
Escape
AS he expected, Martin. when he at
tended church the first Sunday. was
stared at. syly. and when services
were over a few Of the elderly ones
halted in the porch TO greet him. for
Or. Sol had spread the news that he
was now quite rich and might take
up his residence in Greenvale. Aunt
Comfort was one of these. but Angie
merely bowed and walked on with
Martin had half expected the two
families would walk homeward to-
gethcr and thus give him chance to
chat with Angie but it did not occur
When the greetings were over, how
ever, he walked away with Aunt
Comfort.
When evening came, Martin was in
someW hat OF quandary. H. had
met Angie three times, and on each
occasion she had shown no more than
ordinary courtesy and no vcstige of
any deeper feeling. Then to walk on
ahead of the rest, as she had that
morning, seemed almost a snub.
But d certain logged determination
inherent in him conquered indocision,
and when the evening bell called and
she appeared, he boldly advanced and
in the most polite manner offered
his company churchward.
Now il is well understood social
custom in Groenvale Thar. when a
young couple Of manageable age
walked TO church together. they were
engaged, or willing TO be so consid-
cred. and hence, whom Martin walked
up the aisle that evening and faced
about to let Angie enter the pew
first, every eye in the church was
upon them and her face was very red.
Full well she knew what all were
thinking and what a tempest of sos-
sip would follow. 1t did not occur to
Martin, however, until service was
over. and as he opened the hymn book,
found the place and stood up, he was
quite proud of himself But on the
way home a species of frost seemed
TO fall upon Angie and her won t
you como ino' when the gate was
reached. was so chilly he came near
refusing it, The old custom had re-
Cured to him by this time. however
and he felt he owed her an apology
But IL must be delayed. for Aunt
Comfort and Hannah sat upon the
porch, and for an hour Chatted of
commonplaces and the evening, which
was one worth talking about for the
moons full light elowed in the naples
and fell chockered through the lat
ticed, vine-hid porch where they sat
, the syringas in the dooryard mingled
their Odor with the new mOWn mead
ows, and the low murmur of the MiZAy
) falls whispered in the halmy air-an
evening when Cupid should be abroad
But Angie was decidedly ont OF har-
, mony with it, She would not have
gone 10 church had she dreamed that
, Martin would have intruded his com
pany upon her. She could not refuse
, it without affront, and thus caught
had gone on to feel herself a spectacls
for all eyes and target later for all
, tongues. and this, in the face Of hel
, determined effort, so far. 70 avoid his
, attentions. Something of this came &c
him by degrees. however, and when
they were left alone together his first
/, words were humble
, 81 owe you an apology, Angie" he
said. quite meekly. land realize lvt
put my foot in it, tonight; ! didn't
i, until saw that We were stared at
and | hope that you will pardon my
blunder"