Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1906-04-14

come. Oyutnl3, uOn t3ik tnal way,
demonstrated Mrs. Perry. You knoH
farmers wives are always workln',
sn'-an'-it's a good piece from our
place to the
'Poorhouse," said the old woman
calmly.
well yes, poorhouse." deprecating-
ly, but never mind all that. I've
brung the minister"
u don't think I've had the pleasure
Of meeting Mrs. Bray before said the
minister. rising. land yet I've called
here several times"
"No. we haven't met" acquiesced the
old woman. Il generally stay in the
kitchen"
Il must acknowledge this visit Is
mostly q business one, Mrs. Bray" he
said, resuming his seat. ''You sec, am
planning TO have the church decorated
for Easter but the ladies of my con-
gregation assure me that such n thing
IS utterly impossible I have come to
you as a last resort. Can you help
meY"
The old woman looked from one to
the other with 4 sudden yearning ia her
eyes. Then a soft flush began to steal
over her face.
1t isn't easy TO decorate without
anything TO decorate WITH" she said
trcmulously. In the city we used to
have palms and Easter lilies and no
end Of ferns and delicate things 70
bank with"
but there are the woods" suggested
the minister. 81 notice lots OF pretty
things ON my walks"
eyes. the woods are beautiful around
here I'm the spring. I notice them from
the kitchen windows, and sometimes
before any one is up 1 take short
walks" Her hands were still trem-
bling. but into her face was coming an
expression which Mrs. Perry remem-
bercd 10 have belonged to her old days
do you mean for me 10 take charge
Of the decoroting:" she asked.
yes. but OF course with plenty of
help"
He turned hastily and glanced
through the window. Something rap
turous ia the expression on the old wo-
mans face made him lose command Of
himself for a moment
"Wen. I shall need help in gathering
the decorations" she was saying as ne
turned back. There will be things to
cut and bring home and boxes and
boards 90 build up for the banking
There are some bushes along the creek
that ] can tx mp TO look very much
like palms at "a little distance. and that
dark moss below the lodge Will make
a beautiful bank On which we can ar
range the early white flowers which
are beginning 60 bloom ON the hill
sides. but there" breaking into a low.
joyous laugh. which apparently fright
ened her. FOR she stopped suddenly and
looked about In scared. tremulous
sor, OF way. Il was only going 10
say she went on dcprccatingly. chat
/ haven't seen the church yet I ought
20 80 there first and look around
"Of course. We will take yol there
this afternoon" volunteered the minis
ter. bcGmiug
and you can have my horse an
wagon every afternoon IL you like"
added Mrs. Perry warmly. "Then there
IS my boy Tommy; you can have him
10 drive you am 20 DO your gatherin'
an liftin'"
The old woman's face was now abso-
lutely radiant
at viii he beautiful" she murmur-
Ell, "like the world seemed when I was
young" She was not thinking of the
decoration now. but OF the beautiful
thing of not being forgotten God Is
good 20 have remembered me SO low
ingly."
The minister gazed at her a mo
ment then turned again 10 the win
dow. There will be no failure in the
church decoration" ne remarked TO
Mrs. Perry.
Nor was there, nor I'm the beautiful
thing that had come 10 the little Old
woman. During the decorating she
was Ike different creature. When
IL was all over the minister went TO
her impulsively and grasped both her
hands.
Il cannot tell you how much YOU
have helped me-" ne said earnestly.
THE decoration has been a perfect
success, and IL is all owing to YOU.
But there is another thing i wish TO
speak about. My housekeeper is about
20 leave, and I need some one to take
her place. VIII YOU come and look
after the parsonage-and me, too, for
that matterf"
SO the beautiful thing which had
come TO her Vac not OF day. but was
TO last through all the remainder OF
her years.
Easter Eve In Italy.
On Easter eve the people Of all parts