The Manchester journal. [volume] (Manchester, Vt.) 1861-current, 1907-02-21
IAe MINISTER'S
SURPRISE
.Dy...
Katherine young Tbo.rfer

The Rev. Calvin Morris was quite an
noyed.
He was In anything but ministerial
mood when he tossed his Int on the
table amid the confusion Of books and
papers and sat down In his study to
think 1t over. II was such ridiculous
situation that at first he had been mild
" amused at 1t, but now -pshaw! Why
couldn't he Ignore II?
But It had passed the stage when
1t could be ignored. In the past three
days he had been told Ave times that
his congregation would like very much
to see him married. Nor had these re-
marks been the half jocular words on
bis bachelor condition that he had Of
ten heard since coming to the church
at Littleton. but had been earnest
words OF advice expressed by the most
prominent members Of his flock.
He was popular In the parish. and
his two years pastorate had been pro,
ductive OF good results, but there had
been one thing lacking.
Accustomed for years before his ad-
vent TO the service OF most devoted
minister and his able wife whose home
had been the center for vigorous
church life. the people simply could
not get used to minister In q board
Ing house. Besides. there stood the
ine new parsonage empty. Certainly
II was his duty to live up to the de-
mands OF his people. When Miss Gil
bert. the wealthy maiden lady who had
contributed 50 much TO the church,
both IN money and good deeds. died
two years ago the parsonage she was
building for the church was not quite
| finished.
The Rev Calvin Morris knew he
| would use II In time. Indeed, all ui-
known to his people. vague plans had
been floating through the minister's
head for some months. md he had fire.
quently looked very reheetIvely at the
quiet house beside the church
But the real vexing. disquiehng
Dont OF the whole matter was that the
congregation had not only decided that
| be should marry. but apparently hnd
fixcd on whom he should mnrry. This
was assured the night he took tea with
| Mrs. Thorpe. one OF the most active
ladies' In his church, when the chief
topic Of conversation was Miss Nell
Gilbert.
Now, Mr.. Morris had taken 4 most
unrca sonnble and unministerial dislike
| to Miss Gilbert. q member OF his
church whom he had never seen. She
was the niece Of the great Miss Gil
bert and had lived with her aunt until
| the latters death. when the great
house on the hill had been closed.
Since then the young Indy had travel
ed, NO the minister had never seen her.
| He had heard great deal Of her,
| though, and had formed an impression
| Of a person Of un1oubte1 energy and
| ability. accustomed 10 have things Just
as she wanted ard inclined TO be dom
lneering. Miss Nell" had idens OF her
own on church music. Miss Neif' had
designed this and had attended 10 that
| II seemed 10 the minister there was
little too much Of "MIss NeIr' every.
where. a.
Tall and muscular and aggressive
himself, accustomed to shouldering
burdens and clearing difficulties. The
Rev. Calvin had. of course. M ideal OF
feminine grace very different from his
own vigorous personality. Indeed. ns
he sat thinking In his study that morn.
Ing smile rose To fhe firm lips and
softened the nustere lines into which
be had framed them as he saw In Ills
minds eye petite. graceful form.
soft, appealing dark eyes and masses
Of cloudy brown hair. Alas for the
plans Of the people who had made up
their minds that Miss NeIl'' and the
minister would be an emlnently well
fitted pair.
But the vision faded quickly. and
the many hlnts that had been dropped
during the last few days flashed ln
rapid succession through bis mind.
Miss Neif' was coming home next
week. He would he thrown AZ her
] bead and she az bls by his well mean
ing dock until something bsppenei.