Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1909-11-25
cenherdsvn Jefferson County, November 2 1909
The Missionary Box.

hhC NttSofohoiy Iva.
Up in the wild northwest the winter had
set in early and on the morning before
Thanksgiving the prairies for miles around
were one great, drifting sea of snow,
while the soft, feathery flakes were still
falling. Ruth Hayward stood at the win
dow of the parsonage dining-room and
looked out into the storm with disconso-
late eyes.
"There doesn't seem much to be thank
full for this year." she thought, with a
sigh. mo winter clothes, and Ralph and
father sick. and mother worn out with
trying to make ends meet. ! don't see
why some people have so much and
others so little
"Ruth," said her mother, coming into
the room just then, "have you practiced
the Thanksgiving hymns for tomorrow
eyes, mother" answered Ruth, "but |
don't see how we can hold services if the
weather keeps bad. People won't come
10 Churcn IN OllZZdIQ.
"There will be services whether any
one comes or not, daughter. No matter
what our difficulties may be, they must
not interfere with our religious duties.
Remember that the minister's family sets
an example for the settlement"
So Ruth sat dutifully down at the whee-
zy old cabinet organ and went over the
hymns again, doing her best to extract
sweet music from the yellow keys. And
on the whole she succeeded better than
you might think, for she had a musical
gift that seemed to bring out all the har-
mony the worn-out instrument was Ca
pable Of. She was hopeful little body,
too, and while she practiSed she tried TO
comfort herself with the thought that per-
haps some day the clouds might be lifted
and the opportunity given her to do better
things.
Suddenly, above the wheeling OF the
organ and the bowling of the wind in the
chimney, Ruth caught the merry sound OF
sleigh bells. She got up and rushed to
the window, just in time TO see the mail
carriers covered sleigh drive around to
the back OF the house.
She was all excitement as she ran to
the kitchen, where old Jean, muffled to
his nose and covered with snow, was
telling Mrs. Hayward, in his queer broken
English, about the big box he had brought
for the minister, which box "MiSt Lar
sen," the express agent at the depot, had
told him to be sure and deliver in time for
Thanksgiving.
That's just like Nils LarSen," said the
minister, who had come in from his study.
always anxious for somebody's happi-
ness"
What time they had opening and un-
packing that wonderful box, which turned
out to be missionary box" from Mr..
Hayward'S old church back in "York
State" Clearly it had been packed by
loving fingers, with thoughtful brains to
guide them; for il contained everything
that was most likely to be appreciated by
poor missionary in remote frontier set
tlement.
There were even cereals and crackers,
with several jars of beef extract and a
store of nice canned things. Mr.. Hay
wards sunken eyes lighted up as they
rested on heap Of new books and mag
azines, and still more when pile OF warm
garments came TO light, including coats
for the children, an overcoat for himself
and cloak that was plainly intended for
his wife.
There never was such wonder-boX
as that, Ruth thought, as one treasure
after another revealed itself, and her
cheeks flushed when she opened pack
age and disclosed pretty beaver hat,
looking as fresh and dainty as if it had
come direct from the milliner And pin
ned TO the wrappings was letter, and in
the etter-what do you think ? Why, a
brand-new $40 bill-to be spent, as the
writer stated, for any little wants that the
box didn't happen to supply.
"God bless the dear people at home !"
exclaimed the minister fervently, while
his wife quietly wiped away her happy
tears.
"And to think said there wasn't much
to be thankful for p said Ruth, with min
gled penitence and pleasure.