Iowa state bystander. [volume] (Des Moines, Iowa) 1894-1916, 1913-10-17
AUTUMN BLOSSOMS


her own age In her youth, and she
went on making dainty baby things
for the children of the brides, and
later, debutante gowns and wedding
dresses for these same children.
Always CHEEKY, always interested.
never seeming to miss the Joys OF
life that came not to her. quite con-
tent to know all things vicariously,
she was an institution in many
homes, where Miss Mary's days
were as much a part of the household
regime as the weekly sweeping days.
Miss Maggie was not strong" That
was the way she and Miss Mary
talked OF the half invaiidism that
made Miss Maggie unable to partake
In Miss Mary's labors. But that lack
of strength did not prevent Miss Mag
gle from doing many things which
red-cheeked girls with bounding blood
In their veins could not have done.
A certain wealthy woman, one OF Miss
Mary's patrons, contributed a small
amount to the support Of the home
each month. In addition to her pay
ments for Miss Mary's labor. and the
two lived comfortably, and attained
reputation for charitable works.
Was there bazaar in the little
church? Miss Mary's needlework wcs
sure to fill a table and Miss Maggies
cakes were sure to be the most deli
cious and the first sold. Did beg
u l.
ways food. clothing and word OF
cheer for him. The clothing? Oh,
yes Miss Maggie had no pride or
semblance thereof. She went, quite
as matter of course, to richer house
holds and begged frankly for CASTOR
clothing for her poor people. ana
she got it and gave It, with a kindly
Injunction, a bit of encouragement or
quoted text. as need seemed TO de-
mand. If 1t be true that Migrants
have their code carved and chalked
on doors and gates, certainly the gate
Of their tiny yard must have been
! quite cut to pieces or marked beyond
| need of paint.
But the peaceful years brought
grief to these two. The pastor OF
their church, beloved Of them for
twenty years, died, and his widow
moved elsewhere. Replacing him
finally. after trials. came Rev. James
Martin, elderly, and, strange to say
a bachelor, for wife Is more than
wife to minister. She is a neces.
sity of life a thing taken for granted
No one could surmise why Rev. Mar
tin had never married, though many
tried. His kindly manner, his gentle
helplessness in things material and
his deeply spiritual sermons quite
won the hearts of the flock. and more
brilliant aspirants were forgotten ir
the general demand for the gentle lit
tie man who taught such sweetlJ
comforting doctrines.
Rev. Martin took up his abode II
the parsonage and found a house
keeper. But somehow, the house
keeper, though jealous. and quite
proud OF her position. seemed tt
omit many of the little attentions that
naturally belonged to one minister
ing to the needs OF man OF God
There was a certain shabbiness about
the attire Of the. devout preacher,
certain gauntness Of cheek and white
ness of slender hand that made these
two maiden ladies', especially. ache
for his welfare. They entered intt
council, appealed to the heads of thu
church, and finally it was arranged
that the parsonage should be let, ant
the minister should live with Mis-
Mary and Miss Maggie.
Here the little front parlor became
his study, past the door of which Mis-
Maggie tiptoed, finger on lip, whel
che doorbeIl rang. Nourished by Miss
Maggies delicious tidbits. his clothe
kept In immaculate order by Mis-
Nary's careful fingers, the pastor be
came pluper, and developed tend
ency toward the making Of mile
Jokes. His improved garb seemed t.
give an assurance he had lacked be
fore, and his sermons became no
only consolation for the elders ant
the weary. but inspiration for thu
young and glowing. Miss Mary sani
over her work like canary. ant
Miss Maggie's severe garb became
frilly at neck and wrists and enliv
ened by bows Of colored ribbon. The!
bought flowers and read magazines
went to picture shows together lik'
young schoolgirls over their house
hold tasks.
One day Miss Mary was fitting .
froth OF lace and silk over a bride-to
be. The bride. before the glass
looked at herself. and then at the lit
tie brown lady before her, on he
knees. The contrast woke somethin,
new in the girls heart, and sh
leaned over and kissed Miss Mary
softly wrinkled cheek.
Miss Mary looked up. startled 70
an instant. and then compromising
II know just how you feel, dear
bless your heart! hope you'll b
as happy as we are, always"
The little bride looked her wonder
"You see, Maggie and I have eacl
other, and we know what love is.
said Miss Mary. as II that settled tn
matter, and in dash the little brid
understood.-New York Press.
J 80 Va