Union County courier. [volume] (Elk Point, Union County, D.T. [S.D.]) 187?-1913, 1906-04-12

.'-an'-it's good piece from our
place to the
"poorhouse," said the old woman
calmly.
well yes, poorhouse, deprecatlng'
10 INT never mind all that. I've
brung the minister"
~ 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
mo, we haven't met" acquiesced the
old woman. Il generally stay Ia the
kitchen"
~ must acknowledge this VISIT IS
mostly a business one, Mrs. Bray, ne
said resuming his seat. You see, am
manning to have the church decorated
for Easter, but the ladies of my con-
cregation assure me that such thing
il utterly impossible. | have come TO
YOU as a last resort. Can you help
mep
The old woman looked from one TO
the other with sudden yearning In her
ewes. Then soft flush began to steai
over her face.
at isn't easy to decorate without
anything to decorate with" she SAID
TREMENDOUSLY. I'm the city we used to
have palms and Easter lilies and no
end of ferns and delicate things TO
bank with"
"But there are the woods" suggested
the minister. II notice lots OF pretty
things on my walks
Eyes, the woods are beautiful around
here i'm the spring. / notice them from
the kitchen windows, and sometimes
before any one is up | take short
walks" Her hands were still trem-
bling, but into her face was coming an
expression which Mrs. Perry remem-
bered to have belonged to her old days.
"Do you mean for me to take charge
of the decorating" she asked.
'Yes, but of course with plenty OF
help"
He turned hastily and glanced
through the window. Something rap
turous In the expression on the old wo-
mans face made him lose command Of
himself for moment.
well, shall need help In gathering
the decorations" she was saying as he
turned back. There will be things to
cut and bring home and boxes and
boards to build up for the banking.
There are some bushes along the creek
that | can fix up to look very much
like palms at little distance, and that
dark moss below the ledge will make
a beautiful bank on which we can ar
range the early white flowers which
are beginning TO 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
sort of way. 81 was only going to
say" she went on deprecatingly, that
/ haven't seen the church yet. ought
| to go there first and look around
'tOf course. We will take you there
this afternoon" volunteered the minis
ter, beaming.
And you can have my horse an
wagon every afternoon IL you like, y
added Mrs. Perry warmly. '7'hen there
is my boy Tommy; you can have him
to drive you an to do your gatherin'
an liftin'."
The old woman's face was now abso-
lutely radiant.
ut will be beautiful" she murmur-
ed. 'like the world seemed when was
young" She was not thinking of the
decoration now, but of the beautiful
thing OF not being forgotten. GOD is
good to have remembered me so low
ingly."
The minister gazed at her mo-
ment, then turned again to the win.
dow. There will be no failure In the
church decoration he remarked to
Mrs. Perry.
Nor was there, nor in the beautiful
thing that had come to the little old
woman. During the decorating she
was like different creature. When
1t was all over the minister went tc
her impulsiyely and grasped both hel
hands.
II cannot tell you how much you
have helped me-" no said earnestly
The decoration has been perfec,
success. and 1t is all owing to you
But there Is another thing I wish to
speak about My housekeeper Is aboul
to leave, and need some one to take
her place. Will you come and look
after the parsonage and me, too, foI
that matter?"
So the beautiful thing which had
come to her was not OF day, but was
to last through all the remainder oil
her years.
Easter Eve I'm Italy.
On Easter eve the people Of all parts
OF italy play uDon Instruments anf