The Olneyville times. (Olneyville [Providence, R.I.]) 1887-1917, 1907-06-14
JENNIE MaCCLOSKEY.

VI can't say as / believe in these
here donation parties" said Mr.. War
ner. Il think If we can't afford to
pay our minister the money we
hadn't ought to indulge in the luxury
OF having a minister at ALL - 81"
TITS the custom and we all ought
to do our duty" said Mr.. Parsons.
II haint nothing to give, and I
never felt poorer in all my life," said
Mr.. Warner.
t"There's them sweet apples of
yourn," said the pious deacon.
Good land, they ain't fit to feed
to the pigs" said Mr. Warner. Il
like Mr.. Gates and I'd like to give
him something worth while, but
that's how it is with me at present"
The sanctimonious Mr.. Parsons
smiled grimly, and went home to pick
out the poorest of the fowl, the hard
est and sourest of his dried applies,
the stalest bag of last seasons buck
wheat to make a bountiful Offering
to the Lord, for the deacon was we'll
to-do and had money in the bank, and
had already planned to do little Sc
rious matchmaking whereby he might
rid himself of his hard visaged
daughter, Sophia, who had just
passed her nine and thirtieth sum-
mer. upon the new minister, who
luckily was still unmarried.
And. truhtfully speaking, a hint of
this little plan had reached Mr. Gates
ears and tended to make him not
little uneasy, for Miss Sophia Me-
linda Parsons had face like a wood
en- doll and figure resembling a gate
post.
Mr.. Gates was sitting in his study
considering the fourthly Of his SER
mon when Abigail, his colored house
keeper, came to the door. Please,
sir" said she, there's Mr.. Warmers
Matty wants to speak TO you"
ASK her to come in" said Mr..
Gates. 81 have seen her often in the
Bible class and she is devout, sweet
girl"
Matty Warner came in accordingly,
rosy, fresh faced, with brown eyes,
laughing lips and jet black hair form
Ing itself in natural curls and ten
drills around her forehead.
MIR. Gates" said she timidly,
would you like a basket OF black
berries?"
Blackberries, said the good man,
thinking how beautiful Matty looked.
truly, they are a goodly fruit and
delicious to the taste"
I'm so glad you like them" said
Matty, because I've picked nearly
peck on Neily's Hill. Father is poor
and we have nothing to give you at
the donation party, and he feels that
he has enjoyed your sermons and
would like 70 give you something,
though IL be ever so small"
II Is most welcome gift, Miss
Matty,' said Mr.. Gates, and so Miss
Matty went away leaving the min
lister in a sort OF brown study.
Father" said Matty, when he
came to supper, i've thought OF
something. That old engraving that
grandmother left US I'm her will with
the bronze frame, the one that Mr..
Gates admired so much when he was
here.
I'm told that the scholars and
gentlefolk admire these pictures. and
why don't you give IL % Mr.. Gates
for the donation?
Ask him II he would like II, - said
Matty. quietly, "and then take IL
around before any one sees g."
That is not a bad idea. I will.
That Marthy is a pretty picter when
you come TO look close at IL. The
palm trees are dreadful natural and
the well most makes you feel thirsty.
I'll take IL around this very day,
maybe he will be pleased.
But perhaps you had better ask
him 1rst," said Matty.