Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1909-11-27
: TTT"2"TTTsTT"7"T
The Magic
Carpet
A Thanksgiving Story
BY CLARISSA MACkIE
Copyright. 1909. by American Press
Association
BY CLARISSA MAckIE
Observation-Disclosures.

.-l-s-:-s-s-:-!-!-!-.-.~
The committee on repairs walked
down the aisle and wagged disapprov-
nj at each pew.
I'll never struck me before how un-
tasteful II WAS To have every pew car
pctcd different wheczed Miss Lee i'm
portantly. They look just like folks
houses. jeremiah Little's Is got u piece
OF his parlor carpet spread on II, and
all II needs Is u basket Of wax flowers
to make you think you're sitting In his
front room ut a funeral"
The other members of the committee
cast surreptiiious chances at their sew
ernl pews. each with its gayly covered
floor and fat. carpctcd hassocks. Then
they looked NJ Sarah Lees own pew.
with its neat red floor covering that
exactly matched the carpet In the aisle
I'VE amt all agents for carpet
store" remarked Hannah Smith dryly
Miss Lee Redeemed. That's neither
here nor there" she said hurriedly.
"Thc facts are these: Daniel Merton
has sent us $1,000 for the church re-
pairs. DR.. Long says $500 will be
needed for repairs to the building and
belfry. The other $500 Is to be used
by the ladies If the committee to re-
decorate the inside ana for new car
pet to cover all the pews.'
She looked narrowly at Serena Webb
IN the background
my pew will remain AZ 1t Is" said
Serena calmly.
The committee drew a unanimous
breath of dismay.
"rhats the old Merton pew" pro-
tested Miss Lee
II 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
II would be n 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. 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.
Rubbish" sneered Sarah Lee. "A
man as smart as Dan Merton-a man
who left Reddish poor young man
and Is today a millionaire-must be up
to date. He amt no back NUMBER"
she ended. with a triumphant relapse
moneys been put to some good pur-
pose"
The other ladies nodded approval of
this statement. all save Serena Webb.
who was gazing wistfully ut 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 II 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 ms II Is" said
Serena firmly as she turned toward the
door. Il have paid for it,
Every WELL" returned the other bit.
ingly. IL shall take care 10 let Dan
Merton know that n stranger has
come to Redbush who amt grateful
enough for his generosity to try to
please him. 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 u rustic seat.
She claspcd her white hands behind
her sunny brown head ana surveyed
the low. Ivy covered house with con-
templativc eyes.
"Thr Merton homestead and the
Merton pew are the possessions of an
eccentric spinster." she unused within.
sically. First. Daniel Merton. presi-
dent OF the cordage trust. writes and
commands that sell him his old
home for an absurdly high price,
which refused because the house
just suits me. and l am tired of wan.
dering. Again. he sends gift TO his
church. and they demand that tear
out the charming. old fashioned furnI
ture OF the Merton pew-and trans.
form II for him. l am selfish enough
to like It as 1t Island to believe he
will like II best too. But am afraid
OF that Daniel Merton. a man who has
risen TO such eminence. as he must
possess strength OF purpose that will
at last prevail upon me TO part with
fhfe charufna r.laoars