The Manchester journal. [volume] (Manchester, Vt.) 1861-current, 1916-11-16

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There was not a spcck Of dust 10 b
seen IN the parsonage when the kerr
sene lamps were lighted !. would b
an hour yet before the donation part
would arrive. and some one Gas talk
ing volubly 60 Mrs Wells Ia the sittinI
room Their voices reached the minis
ter In his study. Mrs. Wells wheel.
tones were punctuated by another wa
mans shrill uttennces
"Millie Rhodes says It's the first tim'
they've never been able 10 give tiv,
bushels Of potatoes 10 the new minis
ter. and says 20 her, ! says Dom
cry, Mily. Mr.. Rrake will understand
how II is-your pa being sick so Ions
and your ma dying. and all But she
only said she wished she had some
thing 10 give because she had to stoI
putting anything into the plate al
church. Seems 10 me. Mrs Smith
says she, seems to me poor folks are
just squeezed tight TO the wall The
Bible says not 10 place any value on
money, and yet it's the only thing that
seems to count in this world The
speaker drew long breath.
"Poor child" sobbed Mrs. Wells. II
hope she amt going to stay home just
because she cant bring anything"
Il told her she would have TO come
anyway. Ann Dent IS going TO stay
with Mr.. Rhodes for a SPELL
The doorbell rang, and Mrs. Wells
hurried into the hall Arthur Frake
heard her exclamation of pleasure.
why, Mile, child, am glad TO see
YOU" she cried. Come right in and
meet Mr. Frake You've never met
him, your pa being sick ever since Mr..
Frake came. Oh. Mr.. Frake, here's
the first one, Miss Millie Rhodes, from
the Hollow farm
In this disjointed fashion Arthur
Frake met parishloner whom he had
never seen. Mile Rhodes was "A tall,
fair girl. with soft blue eyes and a
sweet mouth, She was dressed In
black. and he recollected that they had
said she had lost her mother. Her
arms were filed with flowers-chrys
anthemums Of every color, great
branches of crimson dogwood berries,
trailing lengths Of orange and scarlet
bittersweet and bunch of pink gera-
NUNS with sweet smelling leaves.
ut was all had to bring" she said
a little wistfully as she dropped them
on the study table
"And beautiful donation, Miss
Rhodes. thank you said the minis
ter sincerely as he took her hand.
"Will you add another favor-arrange
them about the rooms? No, only in
this room.' he added whimsically.
50 Mile Rhodes stepped lightly to
and fro, arranging vases and bowls OF
flowers on mantelpiece and tables,
trailing the dogWood and bitterswcet
berries over pictures and mirrors and
at the minister's request placing the
bowl of pink seraniums on his desk.
Rose geraniums are my favorite
flowers" he said gravely. And they
were from that instant
Then came the sound of laughter
and a loud ringing ut the front door
The house was filed with merry |
'rowd of the minister's flock, all push
ing forward to shake his hand and ut |
er good wishes Each one brought |
bag or bundle or basket
md soon the kitchen tables were heap |
ID with bushels of potatoes. apples, |
Tried fruit. bags Of -four, jars of pre-
serves and pickles. toothsome layer |
axes and pies and all the goodies that
armers' wives know how to manufac-
urc
Mile Rhodes sat quietly in corner
With a group Of friends. and there was
quiet happiness in her face that nc
me save Mrs. Wells and Sarah Smith
nd. Of course. the minister quite un |
erstood.
Miles donation beautifed the min
ster's own room. and unconsciously
Ter fingers had given the deft wom-
My touches that the room needed.
BY and by some asked her to sing.
nd she arose and, unaccompanied,
ang in a sweet. fiutelike voice many
Id ballads that brought tears to the
yes of the older people.
Il should like my wife TO sing like
hat thought Arthur Frake as he
loycd among his people.
This donation was not exactly like
Their donation parties. Even Emma
Wells admitted that. TO begin with,
lere was such an abundance Of gifts
nat the company could not possibly
spose Of them at the supper, which
as served at 10 o'clock.
Then Mr.. Frake was young, and
Duth creates a different atmosphere.
he old parsonage had always been
oomy place in the pastorate of the
yed Mr.. Walker and tonight there
as such feeling of cheerfulness and
,od fellowship between young and
d that the parish was united in
ronger bonds OF love than ever be
re.
GOOD night" they called as they
ent away" good night, Mr.. Frake,
id good luck
And Arthur Frake, having blessed
pm a few moments before fell on