Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1913-02-26
BELINDA,
SHE ARRIVES
BY M. QUAD
Copyright, 1912. by Associated Lit
erary Press.

/ AROUND ana Iuil and by, Horace didn't
amount to shucks. In the first place,
he was third rate preacher with a
fourth rate congregation and a fifth
| rate salary.
Sister Belinda had lived in his fami-
ly and helped at the support for num-
Der of years and then had cut loose and
| gone west There she had hustled with
the rest, teaching school, running q
boarding house and becoming sheep
owner and had finally acquired an in
terest in a mine. She had been for
| warding money at intervals for long
| time and receiving few thanks in reply
| when she planned a visit east. She
reached her brothers house in the
middle of the week and had time to
| look about a bit before Sabbath and his
| sermon arrived. She had said very lit
tie, and the family couldn't exactly
! make her out.
1t was after returning from church
and finishing dinner that she took the
bull by the horns and said:
Horace, you can't preach for this
tlesl There's many a cowboy or herd
err that can beat you ten to one.
There We're FIVE exclamations of pro-
test and amazement from the FIVE men,
bers Of the family. TITS fact, Hor-
ace, and want you to cut 1t out. I've
! been making some inquiries since | ar
rived, and l find that you amt knee
high. You haven't made a convert in
seven years. 1t amt In you"
Belinda Jonesv' was almost shouted
by five tongues.
Your congregation only paid you $50
last year. but that was more'n you
were worth.
81 have sent you $500 in two years,
but not another penny of my cash do
you receive unless you toe the markr'
"And the mark, sister," asked the
brother.
"Ill give you FIVE minutes by the
clock to go out of the vineyard bust
ness"
But / was called to-
"Chop 1t of! You selected 1t because
you thought it suited you. You haven't
pulled one single hair from Satan's
mead. one minute gOne!'
But my dear flock?"
Wont suffer In the least. Indeed,
they will feel relieved. and so will you"
"Awful-awfulw sobbed the wife.
Can such things ber' sobbed the
daughters.
Two minutes goner' announced Be
linda.
do understand that IL resign my
pastorate | am to look for something
better at your hands?' candidly que
ried the brother
you do, but there will be work and
hustle connected with it. You'll lose
fat for a few weeks"
"Oh. Horace, what a sIsterp'
"Oh, papa. what person.
"Three minutes goner' said Belinda,
as unmindful of the tears and sobs she
looked at the clock.
SISTER" replied Horace as he came
Off the perch at last, st has some
times struck me that perhaps 1 had
missed my profession"
"Goodr'
"And that / wasn't doing my duty
by my family"
"Now you are getting down to brass
tacksr'
well, you may consider that have
resigned my pastorate and am now
looking for another job"
MY husband a laborer" sobbed the
wife
sour papa saving wood for liv-
ingi" moaned the girls.
I'm attend to all your cases In due
time." grimly announced Belinda. And
then. turning to her brother, she said:
II see that your grist mill here is to
be sold cheap on account Of the death
OF the miller"
"Yes"
"Ill buy 1t for you tomorrow. You'll
soon work into the business. You need
a new fence in front of the house.
Get carpenter. The house needs re-
painting. Get painter. Go to the
stores and see what your debts are
and I'll square you up. You'll want
$50 bushels of wheat to begin on. I'll
buy it for you"
81 have often said the Lord was my
shepherd, and r.
Drop 1t, Horace! You'd have want
ed johnny cake and 'lasses in a month
more If you hadn't toed the mark"
Then she turned to the wife and said:
"You have hardly second dress to
your back. and you don't have caller
or pay q call once in three months.
Cease your bowling and make your
garden raise vegetables to help out.
Being the wife of a third rate preacher
don't put a woman way up in G.
"Eunice, you and Clara have got
beaux. They have been fiddling around
for year. If you can't bring them to
time can and that in short order"
"Oh, Aunt Belindar' in chorus.
"Never mind your Aunt Belinda, but
give these fellers the glad yes and
get homes. And now for you, Cath