Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1907-09-06

old man made a dash at the oyster
bucket, which in his nervousness he
had nearly kicked over. She won-
ders if ye're a-havin' to borry money!
mo, father, I've borrowed no
money, for, to tell the truth, I've not
paid for what I've got" answered
John, while he looked away to hide
the merriment that danced In his
eyes.
II wouldn't a-b'leeved it," cried the
old man aghast. II bleeve in charity,
but charity begins to home as the
sayin' is, and If you amt a-payin' fer
'em, John, why, somebody has got to
lose 'em."
mo, nobody shall lose. Claribel
pays for them serself. Don't worry,
father, it's all right" and the young
mans honest blue eyes smiled down
into the old mans dim ones in such
a straightforward way, that his heart
was set at rest.
IL told mother / was sure 1t was.
But-well-some of the rest had got
her skeered, and she was bound ter
know"
Yes, Jerusha goes about agitating
the matter more than anyone else.
She don't want to do Claribel any in
jury, but she can't keep her tongue
still. Shed be pretty good woman
IL she didn't talk so much, and do
so much looking after other peoples
affairs"
"Claribel pays fer 'em!" exclaimed
Jerusha, lest poor minister's dar-
ter; she hadn't no money Of her own.
How does she make it? Hirin' her
Its like I've heard O. folks alvin of
the interest of their debts"
During the next six weeks Jerusha
"founds out" and reported to the rest
of the family" how Claribel had
declared that something must be
done to bring in the many children
of the village, who claimed Sunday as
legal holiday. and never dreamed
of entering the dull Sunday school
that the one little church in the vii
lage afforded
Acting on this, she had purchased
a juvenile library of so books, fur.
nished Scripture text cards and pa
pers, besides, on several occasions,
meeting the excuses of some of the
most unwilling ones by furnishing hat,
shoes or mittens (as the case might
require), amongst those she found in
her searchings amongst the ''highways
and hedges. John had kept his own
counsel, but sharp lookout since
his conversation with his father.
Until the last Sunday, Claribel, alb
sorbed in her work, had not marked
the averted looks and ominous glances
in her direction, although they had
been apparent to her husband.
But on that day, the little woman
went home filled with dismay and
sorely wounded in heart.
At church Sophia and Melindy had
passed her by with cool nod. Jeru-
sha had been blind, so to speak, since
none are so blind as those who will
not see."
Now, little woman" said John, as
they drove homeward, 'your secret is
bound to come out. ! will have them
all come to our house Tuesday even
ing, and you shall tell it yourself"
So Tuesday night found the fam.
bly," on their way to Johns"
Although Hospitality received when
they arrived at Johns" converse.
tion seemed bound to lag. John sug.
gested that If Claribel would SAY her
say" they might all feel better"
So in a few words Claribel ex.
planned how 1t was. That she had
once been a correspondent to several
magazines, but had expected when
she took charge of her own home to
lay aside her literary work. But low.
ing the work, and being impressed by
the poverty in and about the village,
also the lack of interest on the part
of the children in school, Sunday
school, or, in fact, anything good, she
had resolved to again take up her
pen, and by careful management she
could put out a part of her work, and
make much more than she could save
by trying to do it all herself.
II have bought some good books ami
few pretty things for my house."
said she, although l have gotten
nothing new to wear"
Nothing new!" shouted Jerusha.
. what did you have on in town last
week? And what did you wear last
Sunday?"
I'm town l wore my lavender we'd
ding dress, colored a dark blue; and
on Sunday, white Flemish tricot
(the dress 1 graduated I'M, colored
black" was the quiet answer. Il fat
ter myself that ] have two very re-
spectacle suits from them What I
have given away cost me not over
hundred dollars, and have saved
as much more for ourselves; +"
81 knowed it," yelled Father Hop.
kins," unable to restrain himself
longer. II knowed 1t all the time,
and l told you ali so. But" turn
ing to Claribel, what made you so