The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1916-10-06
ParSon Frake' S
Donation
And He Took the Bishops
Advice.
By CLARISSA MACKIE

When Arthur Frake was graduate
from the theological seminary befo
taking bis departure he called on IL
bishop to take leave of him and thar
him for various acts Of kindness IL
good old man had favored him wit
during his period Of study.
well, my boy" said the bishop, "g,
ing out to service In the Lords win,
yard, eh? Sit down. / have a fe,
words to say to you on one subject, an
one subject only. You've got all tn
theology you need in the seminary.
isn't that which I wish to speak t
you about 1t isn't anything concern
ing the methods you should observe Il
your work. 1t Is this:
1--WE clergymen are apt to be mad
or marred-as all men are-by tn,
wives we choose. Now, look out whom
you marry. Your field is not a worldly
Held, and II you marry worldly WON
an 1t would be better for you that yor
tied a milestone about your neck. Il
doesn't matter where you find a wife
whether In the city or in the country
She should have a sympathetic nature
to feel for those whom 1t becomes your
part to help. Indeed, she should make
your work her work"
This was the bishops advice. Mr..
Frake was much impressed with it,
but he had his doubts about finding a
girl that would fill his advisers condi-
lions. He had always associated with
the upper ten thousand and had not
found much unselfishness among them.
Instead of living for the world he had
usually found them disposed to con.
slider the world as especially created to
administer to their comfort.
Nevertheless he shrank from taking
life partner except from the class to
which he belonged. Would It not be
better to be allied with a woman of
fashion than with one whose unpollsh
ed manners would constantly put him
to the blush7 Then, too, his own fam.
lily were to be considered. Naturally
they would expect him to marry one
whom they might receive as a social
equal.
MI. Frakes first call was to village
wherein dwelt only a few thousand
people. His congregation was not at
all like those Of which he had been a
member himself during his boyhood
and youth. They were plain people,
honest in their way, but as to spirit.
ualfty. or, rather, humanity. he did not
find them any better than those he had
known in the city. One day soon after
taking the pastorate while writing In |
Ills study, looking up from his sermon.
he saw his housekeeper standing in the
doorway.
What is 1t, Mrs WELSH he asked
patiently. 7
Mrs. Wells, fat and painting from a
morning spent over the ironing board.
wiped her forehead with a crisp white
Il wondered what would come next"
,ne groaned. First, there was the
ruttles making trouble over the dis.
Of the pews, then the quar-.
'el In the choir, and knew that there
would be third calamity
You haven't told me what it is"
miled Arthur Frake.
"a donation, sir!'
"A Donation" he repeated aghast.
Dear me, l wish they wouldn't, Mrs.
Wells. They mean well, but
"Oh, their intentions are all right"
Interrupted the housekeeper darkly,
or she had served many ministers and
many donation parties, "but they don't
ealize that by the time they've de-
cended like flock Of locusts and eat.
n all the food they've brought and
nore, too. why, I'm left with a house
be cleaned from top to bottom and
cure the richer by a jar Of Beulah
sour pickles and maybe a
ew bushels Of potatoes that we didn't
ave time to cook for EN-"
Arthur Frake laughed heartily.
There's measure of truth In what
GU say, Mrs. Wells" he admitted
Still, l suppose we must look at the
lotive underneath this invasion. They
1ean to be kind. and we must do the
est we can to make 1t pleasant for
hem. When is 1t to be-"
Tomorrow night and complete
urprise. l wouldn't have known a
'ord of 1t If Betsy Haskell hadn't
7arned me. I'm glad to know. SOS |
IN bake some beans and corn bread;
hen they needn't eat up all the layer
axes and salads they bring.
She numbered out of the room and
1T the minister to resume his sermon.
his was his first charge, and he was
merely DESTROYS of being adviser and ,
'iend to his little flock. They were
II plain village people. with a large
ercentage of prosperous families
mong them. 1.
He had heard of donation parties
ut he had believed that they were
Of the past century. Still