Middletown transcript., 1907-02-23


: quite true, replied Mr..
wal !; and he added, depre-
ingly: It's a subject / rarely
discuss outside of the pulpit.
OF course, observed Mr.. Meek
er, apologetically;; had not the
slightest notion of bringing it up
in a general way, parson only !
thought I would like to do you
a service, If I could, knowing
what a hard time of it most Of
you underpaid dominies have.
There's DR.. Gross, now;h he hasn't
half your brains, parsons, but he
has limitless cheek, and they've
given him a four thousand dollar
church out West, I hear, while
you plod along here, year in and
year out, on a trumpery twelve
hundred, and with two girls to
educate.
Yes, yes, sighed the dominic,
as he glanced in the direction of
the little brown parsonage. en-
bosomed among the trees but
even my quiet life has its com
pensations.
There is only one kind of COM
pensation the world takes stock
in, parsol, and that's hard cash,
snorted SiIas, as he leaned for
ward to flick horsefiy off the
neck of Sue, the mare. But i
haven't time to argue the point.
I'm going over to Branchyille,
and III be back to supper. Il
you can spare half an hour. this
evening, from your sermon, run
over, and well talk about this
thing. No, I cant say another
word, just now. And, with a
shake of the lines, and light
snag Of the whip over their heads,
the well. I.matched roans dashed
down the road toward the Branch
vile turnpike.
All that afternoon, Mr.. Cherri-
val was unusually thoughtful,
His wife and daughters, noting
his mood, did not disturb him.
Doubtless, some great pulpit
theme was in process of incnba
tion,-a discourse which would
arouse the dumb consciences Of
the sinners the next Sunday
So, at all events, concluded pretty
Comfort Cherrival, the elder
daughter, and her fathers favor
ite. Comfort was the sunshine
of the Cherrival home her sister
Lncia, was tall, statuesQue
creature, more brilliant in music
and small talk but Comfort diff
fused around her that subtle
aroma OF whole -heartedness that
is the accompaniment of a sweet
and gentle nature /; and to hear
her laugh, and watch the dimples
chase each other in her cheeks,
there were certain young men in
Sparville who would have tray
eled indeed, who often did travel
many q mile.
On this particular afternoon,
Mrs. Cherrival- q Borthv,d z,
somewhat prone to4gossip and
the gigls had been holding a
council Such councils were fire.
: quent in the village minister's
household, where the economies
had to be conscientiously studied
with 9 view to making ends meet
ad keeping up appearances sim
ultAne eously. His meager salary
NpGld permit Of few luxuries,
apd many d time had dress or 3
bonnet done double duty, through
the skill of Comfort, who was an
adept at making over, an
artist In coninring up new lamps
from old. The annual sociable,
an occasion which brought out
all the best people in Sparville
and two adjoinipg villages, was
almost st hand and the Cherri:
walls were Oh several of the most
important committees Lucia
was in despair.
It's hateful to be poor, she de-
clared. We can have anything
here ait home, becaase because
we're 50 wretehedly III oif, and
We cant 90 anywhere. hareA
with these old dresses. I'm
everyone will recognia
lin, I've worn It