Gilpin observer., 1912-12-26

/ WIS you VI SOlu
Mr.. Ellery had no particular desti-
nation In mind. He would like to see
something Of the village and, perhaps.
If she could give him the names Of a
few OF his parishioners. he might
make few calls. Keziah shook her
head.
Gracious goodness!" she exclaimed.
II wouldn't advise you to do that.
You amt been here long enough to
make forenoon calls. II you should
catch some Of the women in this town
with aprons and calico on. they'd
never forgive you in this world Wait
till afternoon; they'll be expectin' you
then and they'll be rigged out In their
best bibs and fuckers. S'pose you.
found Annabel Daniels with her hair
done up in curl papers; what do you
think would happen? Mornin's are no
! time for ministers calls. Even old
Mr.. Langley never made calls in the
forenoon-anG ned been here thirty
odd years."
"All right, you know best. Much
obliged for the advice. Then I'll sim
ply take my walk and leave the calls
until later"
I'D be back by ten, though. FolksIl
begin callin' on you by that time"
When. promptly at ten o'clock, the
minister returned from his walk, he
found Mrs. Rogers waiting in the sit
ting room. 1t is prime qualification
OF an alert reporter to be first on the
scene Of sensation. Didama was sell
dom beaten. Mr.. Ellery's catechism
4 began. Before 1t was over Keziah
opened the door to admit Miss Pepper
and her brother. Ryan" was nervous
and embarrassed in the housekeeper's
presence. Lavinia was glacier, NOV
Ing ma5estically and freezing as 1t
moved. Keziah, however. was not
even touched by the frost; she greet
ed the pair cordially, and begged them
to take of their things"
1t was dinner time before the cate
chizers departed. The catechized came
to the table with an impaired appe-
tite. He looked troubled.
Don't let 1t worry you, Mr.. Ellery,"
observed Keziah calmly. II think !
can satisfy you. Honest and true.
amt half as bad as you might think I"
The minister looked more troubled
than before: also surprised.
why. Mrs. Cofin!" he cried. Gould
you hear"
Man alive! I'm not worried. Why
should you be? We were talkin' about
trust Just now-or l was. Well, you
and I'll have to take each other on
trust for while, until we see whether
we're goin' to suit. II you see any.
thing that I'm goin' wrong in, wish
you'd tell me. And I'll do the same
by you, II that's agreeable. You'll hear
lot Of things said about me, but II
they're very bad l give you my word
they ain't true. And. to be real frank.
I'll probably hear some about you.
which I'll take for what they're worth
and considerin' who said 'em. That's
good. wholesome agreement. think.
for both Of US. What do you think?''
4 John Ellory said, with emphasis
that he thought well OF 1t. He began
to realize that this woman, with her
blunt common sense, was likely to be
a pilot worth having In the difficult
waters which he must navigate as
skipper Of the Regular church In Tru-
met. Also, he began to realize that,
as suchea skipper. he was most in
experienced. And Captain Daniels
had spoken highly-condescend
but highly-of his housekeeper's quail
fications and personality. So the
agreement was ratified. with relief on
his part.
The first Sunday came and with 1t
: the first sermon. He read that sermon
to Keziah on Saturday evening and
she approved of 1t as a whole, though
she criticised some Of its details.
The service began at eleven O'Clock.
Outside the spring breeze stirred the
budding silver-leafs. the distant break
ers grumbled. the crows In the pines
near Captain Eben Hammond's tavern
cawed ribald answers to the scream.
ing gulls perched along the top Of the
breakwater. And seated on one OF
the hard benches Of the little Come
Outer chapel. Grace Van Horne heard
her Uncle Eben." who. a. usual. was
conducting the meeting. speak of
them who. in purple and fne linen,
with organs and trumpets and vain
shows. are gathered elsewhere in this
community to hear hired priest
make mock Of the gospell" (A-men!)
But John Ellery. the hired priest.
knew nothing Of this. He did know,
however. that he was the center of
interest for his own congregation. the
people among whom he had been
called to labor. Their praise or criti-
cism meant everything to him; there
fore he preached for dear life.
The sermon was q success.
On Monday afternoon the minister
made a few calls. Keziah made out
q short list for him to follow. . sort
Of chart Of the main channel" she
called 1t. with the safe ports marked
and the shoals and risky places Ia.
beled dangerous"
"You see." she said. "Trumet amt
a course you can navigate with your
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