The silver messenger. (Challis, Idaho) 1890-1912, 1905-12-19
The Minister'S
Wooing
BY JULIA rRUITT BISHOP


u ANDl" said little Mrs. barrow,
A--5 who the new boarder had ir-
iritated to the last degree.
Somehow. 1t had come to be under
stood that every single minister OF her
persuasion should board with Mrs.
barrow; and that without exception
hey were all benedicts when their
.erm of lncumbency had expired. Her
husband had been minister. in the
1rst place, and though he had passed
% his reward many years before, her
house was still a home for all the
brethren who wandered her way. The
asst minister, a widower of several
years standing, had been mothered by
Mrs. Darrow, and by her had been in
reduced to that pretty Mrs Ingle, who
was just laying aside second mourn
ng" and venturing into the lavender
which was so becoming AS a result,
hey had been married just before the
annual conference which called him
% another fold. 1t was conceded that
Mrs. Darrow had some talent as a
matchmaker Mrs. barrow had heard
I whispered about, herself, and while
ienying that she. had anything to do
with II, there had been a twinkle in
ler eyes. 1t was not good for any man
% live alone, least of all q minister
She had been a minister's wife-she
loped she knew what was best for all
If them.
: And now had come this tall and
handsome man OF 30-and still UNI
married! On Sunday, Mrs. barrow,
from her coign Of ventage in the Amen
corner, looked abroad over the congre-
CATION and saw what 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 a Christian
life that were visiabIe when the min
lister was young. did that astute little
woman In this 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 lookl-and casting scorn-
full glances between whiles at the
younger sisterhood She'll come to
see me now from morning till night"
said Mrs. Darrow to herself when she
should have been thinking of higher
things; and after she had marked the
text In her Bible she wandered on
mentally into 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-
rufiied 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. barrow. white gar
ments glimmered through the moon
light, and Mrs. Darrow said limo
Gently;
oh. Mr.. Fairing. Daisy came over
this evening. and made her stop and
80 to prayer meeting with us"
And the young minister walked be-
side Mrs. Darrow 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 inn
personal manner, at the Sunday even
ing table;
Juliet Marcy sent me word to come
by for her this evening--but 1t is so
far out Of my way-and find that /
don't get about as easily as used. II
is such a plty-shs won't have any
company"
The minis'~r looked up In surprise.
Mrs Dane lives next door 10 Miss
Maryland never fails to be at
church" he said. Mrs. barrow was
Allied with resentment Il can't see
why a minister shouldn't think about
saving the girls and young women of
his congregation" she said 70 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 mere abstract
way, there was a CLEAN OF something
that might have been laughter under
bis lashes.
u feel quite sure that my work