Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1910-01-05

"A present for Mrs. Cox! OF all
things! No. don't want to give to-
ward 1t. but suppose 1 must. Who
ever started such thing?" Mrs. Nc
Lean ungraciously added her name to
the list already on the paper.
Miss Mehitable smiled and evaded
the question.
On the first Tuesday in August,
there assembled in Mr.. Cox's parlor an
unusually large number of ladies.
Mrs. Cramer changed her mind and
was there, led on by an unbelievable
report which had been whispered
about. That same report had drawn
half dozen of the old members back,
among them the two who had been in
the postofice the morning of July 9Th.
Miss Mehitable was there, calm as
usual. but little Mrs. Boltwood looked
unaccountably frightened. Irene Haz-
lit came late, and on the spare bed
where the hats were laid, she placed
large, heavy bundle.
Mrs. Cox flew around hot kitch-
en-. her face expressing WEAKNESS and
patient martyrdom. She made spe-
cial point of not sitting down once
during the afternoon until she sank
into chair in the parlor after tea
and called the meeting to order-and
also made a special point of letting
atyay Oy,a ~,
had been on her feet.
There were two important matters
of business to come before the meet
ing, the arrangements for the Har-
vest Home supper In September and
the election Of officers.
The latter, according to Mrs. Cox,
was Of more importance, especially the
choice of president. Here she drew
down the corners of her mouth and
fguratively donned her halo OF mar
tyrdom. It's an Office beset with din.
culties and work." she said, solemnly,
and 4 trust that during the ensuing
year you will have president able
to do more and act more wisely and be
more efficient than your president Of
this year"
1t was her usual speech for cleo
tion occasions. but 1t did not meet the
usual response. Before she had ceased
to speak. Irene Hazlitt was on her
feet. Mrs. Cox acknowledged her cold
ly, Irene being still In disgrace.
This year." Irene began, pleasantly,
ut seems to me only fair that we
put aside the question of efficiency,
and consider only the express wishes
Of one who has served this society as
Its president SO many years. feel
that 1t Is our duty to respect the firm
decision which Mrs. Cox announced at
our last meeting. and which she has
been repeating to individuals ever
since. AS she has just said, the office
she now holds is beset with difficulties
and work. That we know, and we
know also that Mrs. Cox has borne
these burdens for ten years"
Irene stopped, reached behind her
chair. and raising beautiful silver
! pitcher, addressed the stupefed Mrs.
Cox directly. "And now as you re-
tire from Office to enjoy the period OF
rest for which you have SO often ex.
| pressed longing, the ladies of the
aid society beg you to accept this
pitcher as token of their apprecia.
ton for your long SERVICE"
| Stepping forward. Mrs. Hazlitt laid
the pitcher in Mrs. Cox's lap, adding
| quietly, Il nominate Miss Mehitable
Winthrop for president during the en-.
suing year"
- Mrs. Boltwood looked at the blank
face of Mrs. Cox and raised her voice
fearfully. but promptly: Il second
the nomination"
There followed aedeep silence, dur.
ing which Mrs. Cox sought in vain to
overtake her scattered senses. She
grasped her pitcher and looked at Miss
| Mehitable. Miss Mehitable did not
withdraw her name. Mrs. Cox mois.
tened her lips and looked round the
room. There were no further NOM
nations, because Irene's tactful speech
had made Mrs. Cox's long meditated
retirement certainty.
Mis- CoA roSe, IFeHDllnS. Sne tried
to thank the ladies, but emotion I'M
connected with the silver pitcher over
came her. She haltingly put Miss
Mehitable's name to vote. She shook
as she forsook the chair. With her
senses still in confusion, she beheld
Mehitable presiding as able as she
could do She listened to the arrange
ments for the Harvest Home supper,
in which the old I'll smbers took new
Interest. She heard Mrs. Cramer ask
ed to take charge of the decoration Of
the supper-room. She listened to Mrs.
McLean's lively acceptance of the.
Notwithstanding She noted that Me-
hitable offered to make the coffee, at
the same time assuring the ladies' that
| she intended to do nothing else.
Finally, the new president turned
to her predecessor with smile. and
| for the first time in ten years, Mrs.
Cox shall have the happiness of going
to the supper as a guest with no re-
sponsibilities to shoulder, and no work
to do"
And Mrs. Cox, glancing round the
circle of really sympathetic faces, low.
cred her head. and realized that her
real martyrdom had begun.-The
Youths Companion.