The Redwood gazette. [volume] (Redwood Falls, Minn.) 1873-1940, 1909-04-07
lance which lay between her social po-

lance which lay between her social po-
! sition and the poorhouse
why, you poor SOUL" she cried SYM
pathetically. how old you've grown!
My hair amt begun to turn yet, an
here your'n is perfectly white
ITS been long time since you and
were young" answered the old wo-
man gently. Then she colored with
sudden remembrance and drew herself
up stiff1y.
rs there anything I can do for you?"
she asked
Come, Cynthia: don't talk that
way demonstrated Mrs. Perry. "You
know farmers wives are always work
in, an'-an' it's good piece from our
place to the
''Poorhouse,' said the old woman
calmly
well, yes. poorhouse," deprecating-
~. But never mind all that I've
brung the minister"
Il don't think I've had the pleasure
Of meeting Mrs. Bray before said the
minister. rising, land yet I've called
here several tines"
"No; we haven't met" acuuiesced
the old woman. ST generally stay in
the kitchen"
Il must acknowledge this visit is
mostly business one, Mrs. Bray" he
said, resuming his seat. "You see. I
am planning to have the church deco
rated for Easter but the ladies of my
congregation assure me that such a
thing is utterly impossible. l have
come to you as last resort. Can you
help me?"
The old woman looked from one to
the other with sudden yearning in
her eyes. Then a soft flush began to
steal over her face.
1T isn't easy to decorate without
anything to decorate WITH" she said
TREMENDOUSLY. "In the city we used to
have palms and Easter lilies and no
end of ferns and delicate things to
bank with"
but there are the woods" suggest.
ed the minister desperately 81 notice
lots of pretty things on my walks"
do you mean fer me to take charge
of the decorating:" she asked.
eyes, but of course with plenty Of
help"
He turned hastily and glanced
through the window. Something rap
turous in the expression on the old
womans face made him lose command
of himself for a moment.
'Well. | shall need help in gathering
the decorations" she was saying as
he turned back. "There will be things
to cut and bring home and boxes and
boards to build up for the banking
There are some bushes along the
creek that l can fix up to look very
much like palms at little distance,
and that dark moss below the ledge
will make beautiful bank on which
we can arrange the early white flow
ers.
But, there" breaking into q low
joyous laugh, which apparently fright
ened her, for she stopped suddenly and
looked about in a scared, tremulous
sort of way.
II was only going to say" she went
on deprecatingly, that l haven't seen
the church yet. l ought to go there
first and look around"
'Of course. We will take you there
this afternoon" volunteered the minis
ter, beaming.
'And you can have my horse and
wagon every afternoon lie you like"
added Mrs. Perry warmly. 'Then
there is my boy Tommy. You can
have him to drive you"
The old woman's face was now alb
solutely radiant.
She was not thinking of the decora-
ton now, but of the beautiful thing of
not being forgotten. God is good to
have remembered me so lovingly"
The minister gazed at her a moment
then turned again to the window
There will be no failure in the church
decoration" he remarked to Mrs. Per-
~.
Nor was there, nor in the beautiful
thing that had come to the little old
woman. During the decorating she