Hopkinsville Kentuckian. [volume] (Hopkinsville, Ky.) 1889-1918, 1909-11-25


terial. Wooden foot rests tOOk the
place of the discarded hassOrks. 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. II was all very new and
very hideous and extremely uncom.
Portable.
The minister was joyful and the con
gregation was grHtilied at the splcndDr
of the shabby old church. The com
mittee OF repairs proudly sent in their
report on the Sunday before Thanks
giving day. AT the same time the
minister read letter from Daniel
Merton saying that he would gladly
accept their invitation TO attend the
special services on Thanksgiving day
Cold and crisp the day dawned. and
the usual festivities of the day were
pushed forward that none might miss
the services at the church.
There was rustic Of expectation az
the people gathered in the redecOrated
edifice. Up in the front pew. on tn"
right of the aisle. in the old Merton
pew. with it's still gorgeous turkey
carpet and hassocks. sat Serenn Webb
conscious that her seat was a blot on
the fair scene.
In the front left hand pew sat DR.
Long and his wife. nervousy awaiting
the arrival of Daniel Merton, for ii
was understood that the great man
was to be ushPred into the good doc
tors sober brown pew.
The last bell was ringing. the choir
was rustling the pages Of their books
and the organ was growing low
voluntary when there was the insist.
ent blast of horn and then the soft
chug-chug of mOtorcar. 1t stopped
at the church. the door opened. and
then Redbush drew a long breath as
Daniel Merton walked up the aisle
and was ushered into DR.. Longs seat.
For several moments be kneit in
prayer. and then be arose and looked
about him as the service began.
He saw a strange church and strange
people. He had borne in his minds
eye for years past quaint old church
with warm red carpet and many pews,
each furnished according to its own
er's fancy. There was nothing here to
remind him OF the past and his boy
hood save the seat across the aisle.
There in the old Merton pew. with
its ancient turkey carpeted foor and
fat hassocks, sat slender woman
with sweet, serious face bent above
her book. That was what Daniel Mer-
ton saw in the old pew where be had
knelt when boy.
The people of RPdbush saw a tall,
thin man with handsome face lined
with care, a man plainly dressed as
one of themselves. and those who had
known him when a boy traced in his
countenance a vague likeness TO the
ambitious lad of twenty-five years be-
fore.
Then they saw him look about the
church with impressive face. which did
not change until ii reached the old
Merton pew. They saw is keen eyes
rest on Serena WPbb's face and on the
old time furnishings before they turn
ed to cast a sweeping glance up and
down the aisle at the brown carpet.
Then they saw him leave his seat
and deliberately cross the aisle and
sit down beside Serena Webb. Serena
blushed and shared her hymn book
with him.
The service was long. for the good
people of Bedbush were very grateful
TO their beuehcent tOwnsmaD, and the
minister must express their gratitude
in sonorous sentences that "a million
aire might appreciate.
A year afterward Sarah Lee survey
ed the church in high dlslaln. Work
men had completed its restoration to
its original decorative scheme. and the
florists men were banking palms about
the chaucel
ITO think Serena Webb should mar
~ Dan Merton after al-never saw
him in her life till that Thanksgiving
day" murmured Mrs, Long in Sarah's
ear.
That there old turkey carpet did
il" shifted Sarah Lee. Just to think
of him insisting that everybody must
carpet their own pew to suit them
selves. Even old Hulda Jones has
made her a braided mat for hers. Red
bush is behind the times"
In the meantime Daniel Merton was
whispering to Serena In the garden of
his old home. 1T was the cOmbna-
ton Of you and the old pew set in the
midst of that hideously decorated
churchill was you. sweetheart. that
broke through this crust Of money
getting and made me again 10 heart
like the boy ! used TO be-"
II am so glad" murmured Serena
happily. Let us always keep the old
turkey carpet, Dan. 1t carried 70
back TO yorr boyhood, 1t brought you
across the isle TO me. and it has car
ried us both to happiness. 1t is a
magic carpet. indeed"