The Opelousas courier., 1907-08-24

A-.-l !
81 can't say as I believe in these
here donation parties" said MI. War
ner. f"I think If we can't afford to
pay our minister the money we
hadi :" ought to indulge in the luxury
Of / ing a minister at ALL"
"l.s the custom and we all ought
to do our duty" said Mr.. Parsons.
Il haint nothing to give, and I
never felt poorer in all my life," said
MI. Warner.
There's them sweet apples of
yourn." said the pious deacon.
rGood land, they amt At to feed
to the pigs" said Mr.. Warner. II
like Mr.. Gates and I'd like to give
him something worth while, but
that's how it is with me at present"
Tt% sanctimonious Mr.. Parsons
rSa 1tr. erimly. and went hs- le to pick
out th poorest OF the .~wi. the hard
est an sourest Of his dried applies.
the staaest bag OF last seasons buck
wheat to make a bountiful Offering
to the Lord, for the deacon was we'll
TODD and had money in the bank, and
had already. planned to do a 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 vas still unmarried.
And, truhtfully speaking, a hint of
this little plan had reached Mr.. Gates
ears and tended to make him not a
little uneasy, for Miss Sophia Me-
linda Parsons, had a face like a wood
en- doll and a figure resembling a gate
post.
Mr. Gates was sitting inshis study
considering tie 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. II have seen her often in the
Bible class and she is a devout, sweet
girl" u
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.
"Mr. Gates" said she. tinlidly,
swould you like q basket Of black
berries?"
aBlackberries," said the goodman.
thinking how beautiful Matty ! 4oAed,
@truly, they are "a goodly fruf and
delicious to the taste.n
"I'm so glad you like fhem,nn said
Matty, because. I've picked nearly 9
peck on Neily's Hill. Father is poor
and we have nothing to give you al
the donation party, and he feels thai
J he has enjoyed your sermons and
I would like to give you something
though 1t be ever so small"
at is a most welcome gift, Miss
Matty," said MI. Gates, and SO Miss
Matty went away leaving the min
, lister in a sort of brown study.
{ 4Father, |" said Matty, when b.
came to supper, "I've thought O.
something. That old engraving tina
grandmother left us in her will will
! the bronze frame, the one that Mr.
Gates admired 50 much when he wa
D here.
I - m told that the scholars ant
J gentlefolk admire these pictures, an.
why don't you give 1t to Mr. Gate
for the donation?
i ASK him If he would like it" sal,
Matty. quietly, and then take
/ around before any one sees it."
THAT is not a bad idea. / will
: That Marthy is a pretty picter whel
you come to look close at 1t. TIL
s palm trees are dreadful natural an,
q the well most makes you feel thirsty
! I'll take II around this very day
maybe he win be pleased
YsBut perhaps you had better asl
him first" said Matty.
mfr. Gates quietude was again dis
tu' he'd BY Mr.. Warner. eager an,
smiling. II guess" said he, sI'y
y - as will suit syouskhi
80. 80.