The Republican journal., 1905-03-16
Mrs. Stansbury'S Substitute

Inc young minister naU SeICleu uiiti-
itely that the chulch suppers, so called.
must take on other features than the
one of eating and drinking, most in evil
dence on his arrival in the town where
all the men were what New England
knows as good providers" and all the
women good preparers. Barton had
long ago earned the reputation OF a
town in which there was more good eat
ing than in the rest of the county put
together Summer boarders in sur
rounding villages were we'll aware of
this fact and besieged every door for en-
trance, most of them refusing fatty to
open. Boarders were more plague than
profit, it had long ago been settled.
Why should any quiet comfortably OFF
Barton matron toll over cOOk-stOve
for these city cormorants, crying always
"More! Morew Cottagers, even though
profuse buyers of eggs and butter and
cream, were in hardly greater favor.
In short, the town liked to choose its
own society, and considered its own re-
sources quite sufficient for the general
entertainment.
This was the verdict for the public at
large, but when DR.. Stansbury, great
nephew of old Judge Stansbury, the old
est inhaditant, lately dead of apoplexy
decided to use the old place as a summer
home, the village gave prompt approval.
Nobody knew him very we'll, since the
famous physician, driven by countless
calls for his services from many points
outside his own city, seldom had more
than a day or two at time with his
family to his sorrow and their own; his
i've bows were certain that no man
alive had ever equaled him. Mrs.
Stansbury however, staying every year
as far as possible into the autumn, al
most filled his place, and had been ac-
cepted as final authority on all disputed
questions as to manners, morals and
life in general. Naturally, then, the
Young minister turned to her for sug-
gestiOns as to how the church socialS
might add little solid instruction and
suggestions to the certainly solid and
most succulent suppers, for the second
one of which she had promised to talk
on Some Twentieth Century Methods
of Life"
The day had come, and late in the
afternoon DR.. Stansbury had appeared
Unexpectedly; and as he saw the lower
rooms empty, sprang up the stairs like
a boy, and called as he went,
Mary! Maryl Where are you? Now
what does this mean?" he added, as a
pale and apologize face raised itself
from the pillow; then fell back again.
81 am so sorry, dear Ware, but l
really can't. Its as bad as crossing the
channel
You can't mean that you are realiz-
ing a stomach, Mary? l thought yei,
dropped all that nonsense years ago."
so | did," Mrs. Stansbury groaned,
holding hard to his warm, gentle hand,
"but then you see l didn't know Bar
ton. Three lunches this week, each
one with more good things than the
last, and all so deliclous-I really didn't
know how nice they were, you know,
till l found myself feeling SO wretched
this morning. And its the church
social, too, and my talk and all, and l
cannot lift my head. You must take
my place, dear; and don't look at me
like that, as if | were some new kind OF
unpleasant insect. | vow and declare
will not be so tempted again; mean [
won't yield to temptation; but oh, how
| wish there were not SO many things
to eat, Win you take my place, Ware"'
Il will, by George" her husband re-
piled with unexpected emphasis, and
addressed himself to such alienation as
was possible.
Thus it happened as the delightful
supper ended, and the eaters thereof,
purllug as it were with supreme con-
tent. took their places III the little au-
ditorium that an eXpectant pause en-
sued.
Mrs. Stansbury is not with us, but
so prompt in all engagements that she
must soon be here" the young minister
SAID at last little nervously. But
that moment the door opened, and
there entered tall man who made his
way quietly to the platform; erect,
square shouldered, with iron-gray hair
waving little where its close cut al
lowed, and dark eyes that rested quiet
ly, vet with hint of twinkle in them,
on the interested faces before him.
He's as fascinating as she is, +"
whispered an enthusiastic parishioner;
and the minister who had listened for a
moment to some laWspoken words.
glanced at the slip of paper handed him,
then came forward with smile which
held touch of bewilderment
I'VE are most fortunate in this unex-
pected privilege" he said CDR STAINS
bury will speak to us this evening on
"Love's Labor Lost" and will undoubt-
eddy find message for us in the great
play of the master poet. | take great
est pleasure in introducing to you DR..
Ware Stansbury.'
The tall man for moment seemed to
hesitate as he bowed to the speaker,
then faced his audience, which as is the
manner of New England, was more
than two-thirdS feminine one, pausine
a moment with long, slow look which
seemed to take i'll and classify every
one of the people whose eyes were fixed
upon him eXpectantly. Then he smiled
SO captivating and contagious smile
that all beamed back unanimously.
Il take perhaps an unfair advantage
of this most unexpected opportunity in
using it for my own purposes" he said
slowly. 1T is women to whom speak
tonight, an appeal to each one here to
seek a clearer apprehension of her re-
sponsibilties in matter on which
perhaps she has never really thought
Again he paused for moment, every
eye intent upon him. my title you ali
heard. gave it involuntarily, as your
president asked my topic, and hold tc
it. Loves Labor Lost but often plus
another loss,-that of the one for whom
such labor perpetuates itself. | an
here on my way from call more anC
more familiar and frequent as time
goes on, a critical operation for cast
of appendicitis; a man made disease, as
unnecessary as most diseases AnC