Hopkinsville Kentuckian. [volume] (Hopkinsville, Ky.) 1889-1918, 1913-03-20

Potter, without the slightest sign of
nervousness, took charge Of the serv-
ice as if he had been accustomed to
facing that particular sea Of faces
for years. AS a result his popularity
was assured from that moment.
Briggsville was almost sinfully
proud Of its clever, handsome, genial
pastor. He chummed with Arnold
Young and Jared Bolton, while
Squire Wilson learned to love him
as If he we're his own son.
Among Tie four lovely spinsters he
impartially divided his attentions,
escorting Sarah Horton to the con-
certs at Winterton, accompanying
Martha Hill on her sketching expe-
ditions, helping Anne Morrison in
her efforts to help those less fortu-
nate than herself, and visiting the
school where Janet Peabody was the
presiding genius.
In this manner a year passed, and
David Potter suddenly realized the
fact. that he would like a helpmate,
and was confronted with the serious
problem of whom to choose. He adj
mired each one of the four for some
| particular charm, and since it was
impossible to blend those attributes
in one maiden he was miserable, and
decided to ask divine help in select
ing the proper wife. He prayed for
a sign by which he was to know the
| favored of the Lord.
The next afternoon found him at
| Anne Morrison's, and as usual she
was planning to assist several fami-
lies to educate their children at the
state normal school, and he thought
what a help she would be in his work.
| Surely heaven would approve of this
noble woman; but no "fery pillar"
appeared to guide him.
| Then David called upon Martha
| Hill, who was in the studio painting
the most wonderful picture of an
apple orchard in spring. AS he
watched her deft fingers guiding the
brush to realistically reproduce ma
lures beauty, he marveled and hoped
that the sign would appear; but the
miracle was withheld, and so he
passed on to Sarah Horizons.
| Before he reached the door the in
spring strains of HandePs 'Mes-
siah" greeted his approach. The
little maid-of-all-work told him to
"walk right in" so he sat quietly,
not disturbing the performer with
a knowledge of his presence, until
the last note ceased to vibrate. Mis-:
Horizons music always had calm.
ing influence; he felt at peace with
the world, and could "sit enraptured
for hours beneath the soothing inhu-
ence of her melodies" Surely she
must be the one God intended for
his mate; but the sign appeared not.
School was over at four, and Janet
Peabody came home escorted by six
adoring pupils. She felt especially
happy, and resented the fact that be-
cause she was thirty-fve and unmar-
ried Briggsville demanded her to as
sumo a matronly dignity and wear
dull gray, brown or blue, and sup
press her youthful spirits.
Running upstairs, she obeyed a
sudden impulse to don a pretty pink
sprigged dimity she had worn years
ago, and stood before the mirror adj
miring the pretty reflection, and
then there came knock on the door
: and she opened it to discover David
When each had recovered a natural
poise she invited him in.
During her conversation the pas
; tor received the longed-for sign
Love entered his heart, and he knew
: that Janet was the chosen one.
| Manfully he told her of hi:
, prayer and of his afternoon visits
ending 81 have had my sign; | have
seen a vision and know you are mine
by divine appointment. God is love
! and has manifested his presence I!
me as to the prophets of old, Janet
) will you marry me?"
Janet did wed the pastor, ant
/. Briggsville will tell its descendant
; for years to come of the lovely wed
! ding, for at the same time Jared Boil
! ton married Sarah Horton and Ar
! mold Young Anne Horrison.-Buf