Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1910-09-30
There was a gasp of horror from the

There was gasp OF horror from the
women.
IL amt never broke a rule" repeated
Cornelia energetically. Now, the
Give 1t Up society was formed for the
purpose Of paying for the new organ.
Nobody asked the ladies OF the church
to give up wearing any respectable
clothes and going around looking like
ragpickers' wives in order that the
First NJ. e. church should have a new
organ" Cornelia fixed an accusing
eye upon Mrs. Wixon's startled coun-
tenance. THAT organ could have been
paid for IL it was needed in the regu-
lar way by fairs and suppers and the
like. But no; somebody with the idea
Of getting martyrs crown organized
this society, with the result that Up
per Village has got the reputation of
having the shabbiest looking lot Of
women In Suffolk county"
There was a shrinking of feet un-
der chairs and a concealing Of worn
sleeves.
81 want to know If the members of
the choir belong to this society,""
"No," piped Mrs. Peters, with a new.
ly awakened sense Of injury. Catch
them fine ladies a-wearing any old
clothes for the Lords sake!'
II don't believe in churches a-buy-
ing organs and things they can't af-
ford. When they can raise the money
for a new organ or such without
throwing the whole congregation into
the poorhouse, it's time to have 1t. In
the meantime the Lord will harken to
the old melodeon until the church can
afford an organ. But the Methodist
church has bought the organ. The
choir wanted it, and the minister want
ed 1t, and the congregation wanted it,
and now they've got it, and we're
working hand and foot and eyelash
a-trying to pay for it" Cornelia's
voice took on dramatic quality, and
the women listened eagerly.
1--WE said we'd pay for it, and we will
do what we promised, and / say to all
of you that while you're wearing these
terrible old garments you might as
well be clean and tidy about it and"-
But that amt explaining about the
pink geraniums in your hat" inter-
rupted Luella Barton sourly.
That's so. If you ladies will follow
me to my house I will explain about
the pink flowers" replied Cornelia
amiably.
There was some protest at this sud-
den adjournment of the meeting, but
presently they all trailed down the
road toward the small brown house
where Cornelia Rowland lived by her
self. Cornelia led the way with head
erect and white skirts billowing in the
breeze.
She led the way into the house and
through the hall to the sunny sitting
room When they were all inside she
left the room and returned with
small black bonnet in her hand.
'"This is the bonnet" she said dryly,
"that has caused all the trouble"
Eyes, yes, but you've taken the flow
ers off, Cornelia Rowlandr' cried old
Mrs Beers fiercely.
Look here" said Cornelia, turning
to the widow. This is where I get
the flowers for my bonnet every Sun
day, and they're mite sweeter than
any you can buy"
She indicated a large potted gera-
mum which was covered with great
pink. spicy blossoms.
There was a dead silence while the
women stared first at Cornelia, then
at the geranium and finally at the bon
net
II want to knowp' calculated Mrs.
Peters admiringly. 'T guess l can do
that myself and have a new flower
every Sunday"
II know you are all looking at my
white Dress" continued Cornelia pleas
antly, "but If you'll look at it close
| ly you will see it is made from the
white muslin curtains that used to
hang in my best bedroom. had plen-