The Mount Holly news. [volume] (Mount Holly, Burlington Co., N.J.) 1891-1942, 1909-12-07
The Magic
Carpet
A Thanksgiving Story
By cLARIssA MAcKIH
Copyright, 1903, by American Press
Association

+ Association. +
The committee on repairs walked
down the aisle and wagged disapprov-
al at each pew.
"It never struck me before how un-
tasteful it was to have every pew car
peted different" wheezed Miss Lee i'm
portantly. "They look just like folks
houses. jeremiah Little's is got piece
of his parlor carpet spread on 1t, and
all 1t needs is basket Of wax flowers
to make you think you're sitting in his
front room at funeral"
The other members Of the committee
cast surreptitious glances at their sew
eral pews, each with its gayly covered
floor and fat, carpeted hassocks. Then
they looked at Sarah Lees own pew,
with its neat red floor covering that
exactly matched the carpet in the aisle.
I'VE amt all agents for a carpet
store" remarked Hannah Smith dryly.
Miss Lee Redeemed. That's neither
here nor there" she said hurriedly.
1.-THE facts are these: Daniel Merton
has sent us $1,000 for the church re-
pairs. DIR. Long says $500 viii be
needed for repairs to the building and
belfry. The other $500 Is to be used
by the ladies Of the committee to re-
decorate the inside and for new car
x1Ak 10 oor,o,. oil kha
She looked narrowly at Serena Webb
in the background.
my pew will remain as 1t is" said
Serena calmly.
The committee drew a unanimous
breath of dismay.
That's the old Merton pew" pro-
tested Miss Lee.
81 know it," replied Serena.
II should think that when man
cares enough for the old church he was
baptized in to send $1,000 for repairs
it would be delicate attention on the
part of the committee to refurnish his
old family pew" said DIR. Longs wife
bitterly.
Perhaps Mr.. Merton would prefer
to see the old church restored rather
than redecorated. He must have ten
der recollections Of the old pew with
his mothers carpet on the floor and
the same old hassocks he knelt on
when boy. l am sure he would rath-
er see the chancel restored to its old
time beauty rather than done over In
the latest fashion," said Serena Webb
eagerly.
"Rubbishr' sneered Sarah Lee. "a
man as smart as Dan Merton-a man
who left Redbush a poor young man
and is today millionaire-mustb be up
to date. He amt no back number"
she ended, with a triumphant relapse
into slang. He'd admire to see his
moneys been put to some good pur-
pose."
The other ladies nodded approval of
this statement, all save Serena Webb,
who was gazing wistfully at the dim
and faded frescoes in the chancel.
$50, you see, Miss Webb, Dan Mer-
ton would be pleased enough to have
his old family pew done over new.
We're planning to have it all done by
Thanksgiving and then invite him
down and have regular thanksgiving
over the hull thing" said Miss Lee
persuasively.
my pew will remain as it u.s." said
Serena firmly as she turned toward the
door. II have paid for it."
VERY WELL" returned the other bit
ingly. Il shall take care to let Dan
Merton know that a stranger has
come to Redbush who amt grateful
enough for his generosity to try to
please him. l shall let him know"
Serena Webb merely bowed politely
and passed through the door.
Once within the gate of her quiet,
old fashioned garden her straight,
slim figure relaxed into a rustic seat.
She clasped her white hands behind
her sunny brown head and surveyed
the low, ivy covered house with con-
templative eyes.
''The Merton homestead and the
Merton pew are the possessions Of an
sically. First, Daniel Merton, presi
dent Of the cordage trust, writes and
commands that l sell him his old
home for an absurdly high price,
which / refused because the house
just suits me, and I am tired Of wan
dering. Again, he sends gift to his
church, and they demand that 1 tear
out the charming, old fashioned furni-
ture of the Merton pew-and trans
form 1t for him! / am selfish enough
to like 1t as it Island to believe he
will like it best too! But am afraid
of that Daniel Merton, man who has
risen to such eminence, as he must
possess a strength of purpose that viii
at last prevail upon me to part with
this charming placer
With little signing laugh she went
into the house-the quiet house which
she occupied with her servants and
her pets. Her kinsfolk were awaiting
her in another distant country Sere-
ma was young yet. She was thirty
five, and she was lonely.
For weeks after that September day
the Redbush church was closed for
repairs. Heavy canvas covered the
old Merton pew and protected it from
showers Of lime and plaster and later
from the dripping brushes Of painters
and decorators.
Little by little the old church took
on a new appearance. Shaky timbers
were strengthened, the great belfry
was repaired and the bell rehung.
Gray paint restored the building to
Quaker-like respectabiIity. The fur
mace was mended, and the organ was
repaired.
Indoors the warm glow Of the old
red carpet was replaced by sober
brown pile, and the newly varnishee
pews were carpeted with the same ma
terial. Wooden foot rests took the
place of the discarded hassocks, and
polished seats were supplied instead
of the comfortable cushions.
The faint pinks and reds OF the old
decoration gave way to sea green walls
and chancel. 1t was all very new and
very hideous and extremely uncom-
Portable.
The minister was joyful and the con-
Al H. I]vs