Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1916-01-20

But you must let me help-mother al
ways did. She used to say was as
handy as any girl round the house. Twas
all the child she had, so was obliged &c
be girl and boy BOTH"
"Now that's real friendly-you natural
lY look like you're good help" said his
hostess. "And you won't be mite oi
trouble. Come right into your room and
wash up. I'll dish the dinner in jiffy.
hope"-she glanced anxiously at the
lilacs on the mantelpiece-'you don't OBJ
iect TO the scent OF layIocks ?"
al love them /" her guest replied, bury
ing his nose in the flowers. "Mother
had bush in our front yard. They al
ways take me back to my childhood"
Mrs. Dale put the biscuits into the oven
and made the coffee" seems like tea d
be too weak for such big man." she de-
cided. Just as she put the piping-hot
biscuits on the table, her guest emerged
from his room quite as spick-and-span
as if he had had a bath from the most
luxurious tub instead of a broken-nosed
pitcher
"My, what delicious fried chicken p he
exclaimed, as he surveyed the bountiiul
platter. "And hot biscuits, as live
Now if there's anything do like better
than fried chicken, it's hot biscuits right
out of the oven."
"Butter two while they are not" said
Mrs. Dale, and, after he had asked the
blessing, he did-and then two more'
quite as matter Of course, for her, while
she was serving the chicken. He told
Mrs. Dale that her coffee was splendid,
and TO prove it drank two very large cups
OF it. When the meal was finished, he
calmly demanded an apron, and, after
tying if on, helped Mrs Dale 10 wash the
dishes.
"My land p Mrs. Dale exclaimed sud-
denly, as her guest warily wiped the
slippery platter. ''lf ain'tgone and for
got, talkin' so much, and enjoyin' il so,
TO ask you your name |"
"And if didn't clean forget TO tell you |
You see, forgot that had just been ap-
pointed TO this diocese. My names
Bradshaw, and I'm your new bishop"
Mrs. Dale felt suddenly very weak !:
she leaned against the wall, and her
crutch slipped Gathering TO the floor.
bishopP she stammered. "Sure-
ly they aintgone and sentme the bishop2 ?
Why, never so much as spoke TO one
in my own house-before -
"Then it's high time you did," de-
clared the bishop, as he picked up her
crutch. "Did you say set the table or
put up the dishes 2"
"And me lettin' you wipe dishes T.
cried Mrs. Dale, sinking weakly into a
chair. "Bishop, don't you reckon some
body made mistake The minister is
new, and the committee"
"Now just see here, Mrs. Dale" in
terrupted the bishop, with severity, 81
hope you are not wanting TO exchange
me for some one else's delegate. Be-
cause refuse 10 be exchanged ! That
reception committee knew what il was
about-don't you worry about that. And
Pm going 10 stay where they put me-.
I'm free 10 say that no preacher who
comes to this council can beat me wiping
dishes Now you aren't sorry, for
Mrs. Dale's face was working pitifully,-
"you aren't sorry they sent you big,
able-bodied man who's quite capable OF
eating anyone out OF house and home ?"
Laughing happily, she wiped her eyes
on her apron. "It-it just sort OF over
came me to think the new minister thought
me worthy TO entertain the bishop" she
faltered ga poor old body like me, that
amt never before been able 10 do thing
for the church in the way Of hospitality"
The bishop was man acquainted with
wisdom, and wise man does not always
speak his thoughts. When he spoke it
was with CHEEKY assurance.
"And now that you have got me-with
no way OF getting rid of me- intend TO
make myself useful. noticed two ger
aniums on your porch that need repotting
badly. I'll just 60 plant them in some
fresh earth, and all you'll have TO do will
be TO watch them bloom. I'm master
hand at flowers"