The Art Of Writing & Speaking The English Language / Word-Study and Composition & Rhetoric

great peace and quietness reigned everywhere, and yet there was something lacking. He could not remember when he had awakened to the Day of Rest and found himself unable to attend

ould upset all his plans if h

ictured to himself the vegetables he might raise, and how the whole place could be made a most delightful spot. With a suitable h

ding spoke of neglect. The graveyard was thick with bushes, long grass and weeds. He observed several new-made graves, and wondered what clergyman had conducted the funeral services. The church needed painting, and the roof reshingling. He tried the big front door, but found it fastened. Through one of the side windows he was enabled to obtain a partial view of the interior. The ceiling and walls were stained, and in places the plaster had fallen off and was lying on the floor. The sight saddened him, so sitting down under the shade of a big maple tree he gazed thoughtfully at

walk to shake off the feeling of depression that had taken possession of him. Going home to the house,

the church?"

t it? You must have had several funer

wo of 'em, an' Joe Benton read the

out any service in the c

id like to hear the bell ring. I hain'

hy

had, nor the style of them who set

out Joe

hat has religion done fer their family, I'd like to know? Their boys ar

tfully at a blade of grass

Mike Gibband, fer instance, an' him a churchwarden, too. Why, he swears like a trooper, an' wo

e last clergyman you ha

n the way he kept his barn over there. Why, it was a fright. An' as fer his knowledge of farmin', he didn't know a thing, a

g about such things and yet be a

sich things if he had been all right as a parson. But he wasn't, fer he used no tact, an'

llow Mr. Stubbles in d

all of

was t

. Douglas thought of Joe Benton's action when Stubbles h

better before ye can git that question answered," Jake e

things h

say he

et along in this parish must keep

must knuckle down

the people

ow w

to rule things

the year. They git nearly everything at his store, an' are generally in debt to him, so that's where he has 'em. What Si says goes in this parish, an' any one who bucks him has

though. You have your farm, and

y stuff, an' I haul logs fer him in the winter. It means quite a bit to me. An' besides, if S

him, then, that the church

s abou

odist or Baptist minister? Surely all of the peo

r men did come, an' started meetin's. But they didn't stay long when Si once got after 'em. He boasts that he

used. "It's a case of

retched himself out on the grass. "Si Stubbles rules this

rose suddenly to his feet. It

" he said, "and will n

it anything to e

e somewhere. But if I d

h a good

Stubbles' home. It was a large house with the grounds well kept, and surrounded by fine trees. He observed several people upon the spacious verandah, who watched him as he went by. He longed to s

ustomed place, with his head buried in his hands. Thinking that he might be sick, Douglas entered and asked him what was the matter. Somewhat

d, laying his hand upon

you

g home," was

me. Isn't tha

t as I expected. She's c

s! I do not

Joe handed him a letter

om Jean

in the city, and that she was coming home to the care of her parents. It was easy for Douglas to

coming home for repairs!" His body shook from the veh

e care," Douglas soothed, though in his

Good Shepherd saving the wandering lamb. A struggle was evidently going on in his mind, and it seemed that he

etly remarked. "We would consider

nd to the visitor. She was a small woman, dressed in plain clothes. But Douglas had eyes only for her face which, though wrinkled and care-worn, bore an expression of great sweetness, an

ervice. His voice was low, though distinct, and he seemed to feel deeply every word he uttered. Never had Douglas been so impressed by any servi

glas the opened Bible. "That is the chapter," and he placed

he asked himself. Would it not have been better and more manly to have come in his official capacity instead of as a spy? But the thought of the failure of his predecessors somewhat soothed his troubled conscience. If the majority of t

e was over, Dou

nd have a bite wi

aded. "We are lonely to-day, and

cially Jean. Being the youngest, and the last to leave home, she was very dear to them. No further reference was made to the letter they had received, nor of her home-coming. They dwelt upon her life as a child, and the part she had taken i