Under the influence of spring, sunshine and flowers, our souls give
birth to new thoughts, new ambitions.
The little village store in Ashfield was buzzing. It was mail-time
and the good wife of the proprietor, the post-master and mayor--in
other words, the wife of the chief all-round citizen, was sorting and
pigeon-holing the mail.
Around the store waited a goodly representation of the
neighborhood--long, lanky workmen; fat, prosperous home-dwellers who
"worked in the city," dirty little urchins with sticky hands, and
pretty young girls stylishly dressed.
Quite a congregation of "American mixed," but the buzzing gave an air
of congeniality which lent the impression of true democracy so typified
in a Jersey village.
One young girl with roguish blue eyes sauntered up to a thin, neatly
dressed elderly man, who was watching the group with a friendly smile.
"Have yer called on the new people yet, Mr. Allworth? There's a dandy
young lady in the bunch. Don't let Pastor Soffy get ahead of you. We
want her in _our_ Church."
Her tone was loud enough to attract attention, and the majority
suspended their buzzing.
The Methodist minister answered in a clerical tone,
"My dear Miss Bessie, I would never strive for members for our Church.
Call I certainly shall, but not with the intention of robbing Mr.
Soffy."
"Oh, fudge!" exclaimed Bessie, laughing, "everyone knows you'll both
scramble for them!"
At this there was a general laugh, at which Mr. Allworth colored
furiously.
It was plain to be seen Bessie was a privileged character.
"Stop your joshing, Bessie!" exclaimed the wife of the post-master,
proprietor, and mayor. "Here's a letter for the new people. You take it
up the road to them, and that'll get you acquainted."
"Sure I will!" returned Bessie with enthusiasm. "Dandy! I'll prepare
the way for you, Mr. Allworth, and see that they don't get any
Presbyterian ideas ahead of time!"
Mr. Allworth smiled and nodded his head.
"Yer won't git those new people and don't yer fergit it!" piped up one
dirty little bare-legged urchin, sidling up to Bessie. "I spent two
hours helping them clear up the lawn. Gosh! They're darn swell, all
righty! Gave me a fifty. What do yer think o' that? Fifty in two hours,
eh, boss?"
"Boss" shoved the ten-year old aside kindly.
"Out o' the way, Bud! Let me get behind that counter, will you? Go home
and tell your mother you need sewing up. What do you know about the new
people?" he asked, eyeing Bud whimsically, while he delved into the
sugar tin.
"Whole lot, all righty! I told 'em I pumped the organ in Mr. Soffy's
church, and ast them would they like ter see me."
The buzzing had completely stopped and all hands were at attention.
"And they said?" asked Boss Holden.
Bud swelled with the importance of delivering town news.
"They ast me what kind o' Church it was. I says, 'Sure, the kind yer
pray in. What d' yer think?'"
"Good boy!" laughed Boss Holden, "And then?"
"They just laughed as though they had no sense, and guessed their kind
o' Church waren't in these parts. I up and ast them what kind o' Church
they wanted and they said 'Scientific.'"
"Bud, that thar waren't right nohow," spoke up John, colored chauffeur
to the two rich old maids on the hill. "I heard Pastor Soffy tell my
missus they war "Christian Scientissus."
"Christian Scientists!" exclaimed Mr. Allworth with dignified
disapproval. "What next will come into our little town!"
"Well, I'm going to take the letter up anyway," declared Bessie.
"Good-bye. I'll do my best for you, Mr. Allworth," and with this
parting shot she was gone.
Up the hill walked Bessie, round, fair and rosy, with her laughing blue
eyes vieing merriment with her dimpled cheeks.
Half way up the hill, she stopped at a large "homey" white house which
stood about fifty feet back from the road. Its broad piazzas were
simply furnished with chairs, tables, and plants, all arranged for
convenience and comfort.
Bessie tripped up the few steps leading to the front door and rang the
bell.
The object of her admiration, the young lady with the light brown
curls, opened the door.
"Here's a letter for a Mrs. Hadly," said Bessie in her most friendly
voice. "Will you please give it to her?"
"Thank you. _I_ am Mrs. Hadly. Won't you come in?"
Venna thought she would like to talk to this pretty young country girl.
Everything and everyone seemed so new and interesting--so different to
what she had been accustomed to in fashionable summer resorts.
Bessie was ready to accept the invitation.
"Yes, I would like to come in and get acquainted," she said frankly.
As she followed Venna into the large, cool living room, she felt a
little disappointed at the thought of this fascinating city girl being
married.
"It'll spoil all the fun," she decided.
"Do sit down," said Venna kindly as she seated herself. "So you are one
of the young ladies of the village? Do tell me a little about the life
here. It is all so new to me and my friend, too."
"Your friend? The lady with the baby?" asked Bessie.
"Yes, we are going to live here together. Mr. and Mrs. Halloway, baby,
and myself and maids, for six months."
"Oh, then you're just summer people," said Bessie, disappointed again.
"Yes, my home is in New York. But six months is a long, long time,"
she added, smiling. She was amused at the open, admiring gaze of her
visitor.
"I guess you'll have enough of it before six months is out. City people
don't care much for Ashfield--that is, unless they stay and get used to
it."
"Is it so very unpleasant here then?" asked Venna.
"Mercy, no!" exclaimed Bessie, ready to defend her own home town. "It's
a dandy place when you're right in with everything. The summer people
always stay on the outside--just look on, yer know, and of course it's
awful slow compared to city life, and just being on the outside makes
it slower."
"Yes, I understand. To like country life, one must know everyone for
miles around," remarked Venna.
"Exactly, I don't suppose you'll want to do that, though," Bessie
returned with hesitation.
"Not quite--as we don't expect to stay. But I won't remain on the
'outside' while I'm here. This life will be too interesting to me to
ignore it. Tell me, what is the most important diversion in Ashfield?"
"Going to Church, I guess--or, the movies over in Ellenville," replied
Bessie.
Venna laughed.
"Which do you like best?" she asked.
"Oh, I like both. The Church has lots of fun, though--always something
going on. Which Church do you think you will like?"
"I don't know. There are two, aren't there? How did there ever happen
to be more than one in this little place?"
"It was just this way," explained Bessie, pleased to give village
history: "At one time, there was only one, the Methodist. But some of
the members quarreled with the minister and left to start a church of
their own. Just for spite they built it right opposite to ours, and
they became Presbyterians. Kind o' mean, wasn't it? Of course, that was
long ago. Since then the people have become friendly and the ministers
exchange calls, but when anyone new comes to town, they both scramble
for a new member. Has Mr. Soffy called yet?"
"No, but I expect him this afternoon. He met Mr. Halloway and asked if
he might call today."
"There! I knew it!" exclaimed Bessie. "He always gets there first.
I guess anyway you'll like Mr. Soffy and his Church best. Most city
people do."
"Why so?"
"Well, you see Mr. Allworth is a plain country minister--never been
anything else. You'll find him helping his wife do the wash, or feeding
the chickens, or gossiping at the store, when he ought to be out making
calls. Mr. Soffy is a young man who has worked his way through college
and knows a lot about the new ideas that take well. And somehow he's
always there first, and gets the city folks."
"He must be quite an interesting young man," returned Venna, amused
at the queer little village and its doings. "I suppose he feels very
important and popular."
"Well, hardly either," returned Bessie. "He seems very humble,
considering how smart he is. And popular? Most of the people,
especially the men, don't like him at all. Some don't like the way
the old ladies on the hill fuss over him. They call him a 'molly' for
letting them. You know he lives with the two Miss Haskells, and they
fairly dote on him. It's 'Soffy here' and 'Soffy there' until one does
get rather tired of it. But _I_ like him. I think it's jealousy that
makes him disliked. You see people here don't take to those who know
a lot more than themselves. Mr. Allworth takes more with the country
people."
"It must be rather a hard position for Mr. Soffy," said Venna with
ready sympathy. "It's very discouraging to fight against prejudice."
"It certainly is," agreed Bessie. "But I hope you'll come to _our_
Church. We need a few up-to-date people to liven things up a bit."
"Well, my dear, I certainly will attend both Churches sometimes--then
no one will feel hurt."
"Oh, thank you. That's a fair, square deal."
"Of course, I won't join any; but while I'm here, I'm sure I would
enjoy a simple country church. I don't know about Mrs. Halloway,
however, she is a Christian Scientist."
"Then you are not?" asked Bessie delighted, vaguely imagining Christian
Scientists belonged to some queer species.
"No, not exactly," returned Venna quietly. "But Christian Science has
many beautiful beliefs that help one to live a better life."
"Is that so?" asked Bessie curiously. "Sometime will you tell me all
about it?"
"Mrs. Halloway can do that better than I can. I know she would like to.
You must call again when she is in."
There was a pause in the conversation and Bessie decided it wouldn't do
to stay too long the first time.
"I will call again, thank you," she replied, as she arose to go. "Thank
you very much for saying you'll come to our church."
As Venna stood on the porch watching Bessie go up the hill, the warmth
and glow of the beautiful May day seemed to thrill her whole being. The
air was laden with the scent of apple-blossoms, and the fresh green of
the trees and grass invited one to new thoughts and a new life.
When Bessie reached the top of the hill she turned and waved her hand.
Venna waved back.
"How friendly and primitive it all is!" was Venna's pleased thought.
"That bright, happy face--it seems it ought to be easy to live
Christian Science here."
Certainly Anna Halloway had done wonders for Venna. Whether Christian
Science or Anna's personal influence played the greater part in
taking Venna out of her depths, it would be hard to determine. Both,
however, played important parts. A few weeks had brought to Venna the
determination to think only of happy things and service to others.
She was learning the lesson of looking "up" and not "down," "out" and
not "in," and to a nature so naturally bright as hers, it was not a
very difficult task. Hadly did not annoy her at all. Since she came to
Ashfield one week ago, she received a formal letter from him, stating
his return to New York and asking her to write if she desired anything
at his hands. Nothing could be more cooly polite.
"Poor Hadly! He certainly is acting his very best under the
circumstances," she decided, and she gave him her "best thoughts," as
Anna entreated her to do.
Just before Bessie came, she had been wondering what she could do in
this little village to make more happiness for someone.
The whole six months in Anna's cheerful company would give her time to
recover herself and lay plans for a useful future, but busy she must be
wherever she was, or her despondency might return. Bessie's visit gave
her a sudden happy thought. Why not interest herself in the girls of
the village? The Church and the movies! Was that all they had?
She seated herself in a low wicker porch chair to read her letter from
Aunt Emily.
"Detroit, Wednesday.
"Venna Dearest:
"Just a line to let you know Dr. Hansom and I are both well and
enjoying our trip so very much. Detroit gave us a wonderful welcome.
Somehow they found out we were here, and one of the Churches gave us a
big dinner. I wish you could have heard him speak! He was so earnest
and yet so witty at times! How proud I was of him! Dearie, how thankful
we ought both to be that we have such excellent husbands and are so
happy! How glad your dear father would be! I suppose your good Hadly
commutes to Ashfield. Or is he too busy? You must find it much pleasure
to be with Anna again, though I'm surprised you would choose a dead
little country place. Don't you think it may be very monotonous for
you? Surely you will find very few of your class there.
"Well, dearie, whatever makes you happy, of course, do. I suppose
you are beginning to realize Hadly is all that is necessary for your
happiness.
"Dr. Hansom has received so many earnest requests to preach in Western
cities, that we may spend the entire summer touring and satisfying the
demand for his preaching.
"In spite of all my new happiness, I miss you so, dearie. Do write
constantly. Give my love to Anna and Hadly.
"I am anxious to see that precious baby. Perhaps one day there will be
one more precious you can show me.
"By-bye, dear girlie.
"Your loving Aunt Emily."
As Venna finished the letter, her face saddened and she lost herself
in thoughts of the past and what might have been. But she quickly drew
herself together.
"This is not Christian Science!" she declared to herself. "Away with
such thoughts and enter sunshine, flowers, spring-time!"
"Good afternoon," said a pleasant, full-toned man's voice, and Venna
looked up to see Mr. Soffy enter her gate. She knew him because
Halloway had pointed him out as one of the main objects of interest.
"Good afternoon," she returned, rising and taking in his pleasant
personality at a glance.
Mr. Soffy was medium height, rather fleshy, with dark, wavy hair above
a broad, large-featured face, from which looked out dreamy, dark eyes.
His smile was particularly frank and broad, showing white, even teeth
between full, sensuous lips.
A few pleasantries were exchanged as they entered the house and the
living room.
"It is a great pleasure for me to meet you," began Mr. Soffy, taking in
with delight the beauty and brightness of this new comer. "Every little
while, some city people will wander out here and it is so refreshing to
meet them."
"How strange!" said Venna, smiling. "I find the country people so
refreshing. Such a bright, rosy, blue-eyed girl has just called. She
seemed to bring a breath of spring with her."
"Yes? Oh, I've no doubt that was Bessie, a winsome Methodist girl.
Pretty, isn't she? All the country boys are wild over her, but she
declares she'll marry a city chap or none."
"She might do better right here," said Venna seriously.
"Yes, that's very true. I'm a city man myself, and I think the men
of the simple life compare very favorably with the men of the city's
whirl. But if you like country people, you'll meet all your heart can
desire. As soon as they know you've settled, and Bessie will quickly
report--all the ladies in the village will call, so prepare for a
siege!"
"Will they?" asked Venna, smiling. "Mrs. Halloway and I must be
prepared."
"No preparation necessary," replied Mr. Soffy, laughing. "They would
rather take you unaware, and if anyone calls when you're washing,
they would like nothing better than to come in the back way, seating
themselves in the kitchen with a 'Never mind, my dear, go right on. We
can get just as well acquainted, and you getting your work done.'"
Venna laughed with real amusement.
"Are they really so informal?"
"Yes, indeed; Primitive with a capital P. But I don't suppose you ever
do such a thing as wash?"
"I must confess my ignorance in that line," returned Venna.
Mr. Soffy smiled understandingly. "I hope you will come out to our
little Church sometimes?"
"Yes, I told Bessie I would divide my attentions between the two
Churches."
"You have no choice then between the Methodist and the Presbyterian?"
"Hardly; I can't honestly say I have found any Church to satisfy me
yet. Every denomination has so many inconsistencies. I love my Bible,
and it doesn't seem to me that any of you fully follow Christ's
teachings."
"To be frank with you," returned Mr. Soffy, contracting his brows
thoughtfully, "I don't think any of us do. The Churches have
accumulated the errors of ages. I wish personally we could throw off a
lot of waste material. But the people have to be dealt with gradually.
It's like operating on a diseased body. One part must be cut at a time
or the patient would lose his life from shock."
"I can't agree with you," returned Venna earnestly. "Why should you
preach error and intensify the disease?"
"Well--no--maybe not," returned Mr. Soffy with hesitation. "I never
thought of it in just that light. It's very hard to know how to handle
a congregation of church-goers today. They are full of prejudice,
'mother told me so' doctrines, and unless something new is startlingly
attractive, out goes the preacher if he dares to introduce it. What
would _you_ do?" he asked with a look of open admiration.
Venna answered without hesitation.
"What would _I_ do? If I were a preacher, I would study and pray hard
to find the truth. And whatever I found, I would preach to my people,
regardless of anyone's opinions or the keeping of my position. _You_
regard truth as a knife that cuts away diseased parts one at a time. So
you use it carefully. _I_ regard truth as a healing stream that should
flow freely at all times to heal the diseases of our minds."
Mr. Soffy's dark eyes reflected her enthusiasm.
"Wonderfully said!" he exclaimed. "If I had a few like you in my
church, I would have the courage to do as you say."
"Courage comes from God, Mr. Soffy, not from man," returned Venna
softly.
There was a moment's silence in which Mr. Soffy eyed Venna keenly as if
to read her very soul.
"Are you a Christian Scientist?" he asked.
"Not exactly," replied Venna. "Mrs. Halloway is trying to make me one.
I live by many of their principles. There is so much beauty in some
of their ideas. But I must believe in the Personality of God. I can't
see how they do away with it. When Stephen was being stoned to death,
the heavens opened before him, and he saw the Christ sitting on the
right hand of God. Now, if we believe in the inspiration of the Bible,
how can we accept this vision without the belief in God's personality?
There are many more verses in scripture which declare that truth also.
I must believe all the Bible or none. There is no logic in accepting
just those parts that we desire to accept. That is why all the Churches
differ. They don't really accept the Bible as God's word. They often
say they do, but if they really did, beliefs would be founded on the
fullness of its teachings and not on man's opinions. Not only this, but
when I have been in my greatest sorrows, I have longed for a personal
God who understands. Religion wouldn't mean anything to me without the
Personality of a Divine Father."
"I think you'd better take my pulpit, Mrs. Hadly," said Mr. Soffy
smiling. "You have more decision of thought than myself."
"Oh, don't say that!" replied Venna. "I don't want to give the
impression of sureness. Indeed, a few points I have decided, but the
greater truths I am still seeking and praying for. I am very much at
sea."
"Then keep on praying and remember the verse in the Bible you are so
sure is inspired. 'If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that
giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given
him.'"
Venna's eyes shone. "How often I have repeated that verse! Yes, I
believe it, too. I am waiting for greater light on many things. I'm
sure God will give it."
"But you must let go of prejudice to be in a condition to receive new
ideas," returned Mr. Soffy. "I have thrown tradition to the winds, and
find it easy to broaden out, but my congregation would be more than
astounded if I told them all my ideas."
"I hope you will tell me many of them, Mr. Soffy. I like to hear new
thoughts, but I always sift them well before I give them precedence
over the old."
"Indeed, it will be a pleasure to discuss with a mind like yours,"
returned he with his broadest smile. "I hope you will permit me to
call often. I must go now, however, for I promised to address the
woman's club this afternoon. Perhaps next time I come, it will be in
the evening, that I might meet Mr. Hadly, too. He commutes with Mr.
Halloway?"
Venna dropped her eyes and colored noticeably.
"No, Mr. Hadly will not be in Ashfield--for a time. He is very busy in
the city."
Mr. Soffy was quick to detect her confusion, but, making no further
remark concerning her husband, he said good-bye with a firm pressure of
her hand in his.
"Remember, Mrs. Hadly, I am always at your service. Do not hesitate to
call upon me."
After he had gone, Venna attempted to read without success. The words
before her seemed meaningless. Against her will she was comparing Hadly
and this young minister. The comparison was unfavorable to her husband.
"What a personality!" she said to herself, thinking of the young
minister and letting her imagination build a character for him that was
exceptional. "Why did not my life bring me to a man like him when I was
free? Yet probably I could never have loved him. I can't really imagine
myself being in love and why?"
But her self analysis always ended in a question, and was left to
future answering.
Venna was an enigma to herself to be solved only by truths gained by
experience.