Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1913-11-13
AUTUMN BLOSSOMS

Miss Mary Henley and Miss Maggie
Brown were two dear old ladies who
lived together In a tiny house at the
edge of the city. Miss Mary had made
wedding gowns for young women OF
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 mot strong" That
was the way she and Miss Mary
talked Of the half invalidism that
made Miss Maggie unable to partake
in Miss Marys labors. But that lack
of strength did not prevent Miss Mag
gle from doing many things which
redcheeked 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
a reputation for charitable works.
Was there a bazaar in the little
Nrk WI q
sure to fill table and Miss Maggie's
cakes were sure to be the most deli
cious and the first sold Did beg.
gar come to the door? There was al
ways food, clothing and a word OF
cheer for him. The clothing? Oh.
yes Miss Maggie had no pride or
semblance thereof. She went, quite
as a matter of course, to richer house
holds and begged frankly for CASTOR
clothing for her poor people,, and
she got 1t and gave it. with a kindly
injunction, a bit Of encouragement or
a quoted text, as need seemed to de-
mand. II 1t be true that vagrants
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 a wife Is more than q
wife to a minister. She is a neces.
sity Of life, 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, ant more
brilliant aspirants were forge tten In
the general demand for the gentle lit
tie man who taught such sweetly
comforting doctrines.
Rev. Martin took up his abode In
the parsonage and found house
keeper. But somehow, the house-
proud Of her position, seemed to
omit many Of the little attentions that
naturally belonged to one minister
ing to the needs Of a man Of God.
There was 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 into
council, appealed to the heads Of the
church, and finally 1t was arranged
that the parsonage should be let, and
the minister should live with Misc
Mary and Miss Maggie.
Here the little front parlor became
his study, past the door Of which Miss
Maggie tiptoed, finger on lip, when
the doorbell rang. Nourished by Miss
Maggie's delicious tidbits, his clothes
kept in immaculate order by Miss
Marys careful fingers, the pastor be-
came pluper, and developed a tend
ency toward the making Of mild
Jokes His improved garb seemed to
give an assurance he had lacked be-
fore, and his sermons became not
only consolation for the elders and
the weary, but inspiration for the
young and glowing. Miss Mary sang
over her work like a canary, and
Miss Maggie's severe garb became
friIly at neck and wrists and enliv.
ened by bows OF colored ribbon. They
bought flowers and read magazines.
went to picture shows together like
young schoolgirls over their house
hold tasks.
One day Miss Mary was fitting q
froth of lace and silk over bride-to-
be. The bride, before the glass,
looked at herself, and then at the lit
tie brown lady before her, on her
knees. The contrast woke something
new in the girls heart, and she
leaned over and kissed Miss Mary's
softly wrinkled cheek.
Miss Mary looked up startled for
an instant, and then comprehendins.
T know just how you feel, dear
bless your heart! I hope you'll be
as happy as we are, always"
The little bride looked her wonder.
you see, Maggie and I have each
other, and we know what love 10, :"
said Miss Mary, as If that settled the
matter. and in a dash the little bride
understood-New York Press.