Says she mournfully, “A little of both.”
“Wall,” says I in a cautious way, “I don’t know as it would do any hurt, Betsey.”
Says she, “I will begin to prey to-night. But that is not all I wished to crave your advise about. Folks must work as well as prey. Heaven helps them that help themselves. I am goin’ to take a decided stand.” Then she broke off kinder sudden, and says she, “Be you a goin’ to the Faih and Donation to the Methodist church to-morrow night?”
“Yes,” says I, “I am a layin’ out to go.”
“Well, Josiah Allen’s wife, will you stand by me? There is not another female woman in Jonesville that I have the firm unwaverin’ confidence in, that I have in you. You always bring about whateveh you set youh hands to do—and I want to know, will you stand by me to-morrow night?”
Says I in a still more cautious tone “what undertakin’ have you got into your head now, Betsey Bobbet?”
“I am going to encourage the Editah of the Augah. That man needs a companion. Men are bashful and offish, and do not always know what is the best for them. I have seen horses hang back on the harness before now, I have seen geese that would not walk up to be picked. I have seen children hang back from pikery. The horses ought to be made to go! The geese ought to be held and picked! The children ought to take the pikery if you have to hold thieh noses to make them. The Editah of the Augah needs a companion, I am going to encourage that man to-morrer night and I want to know Josiah Allen’s wife if you will stand by me.”
I answered her in reasonable tones. “You know Betsey that I can’t run, I am too fat, and then I am gettin’ too old. Mebby I might walk up and help you corner him, but you know I can’t run for anybody.”
Jest then Josiah came in and the conversation dropped down viz: on the fare. Says Josiah, says he, “Brother Wesley Minkley is a honest, pure minded man and I shall go, and shall give accordin’ to my ability, but I don’t believe in ’em, I don’t believe in doin’ so much for ministers. The bible says let them live on the gospel; why don’t they? The old ’postles wasn’t always havin’ donations and fares to get up money for ’em, and big sallerys. Why don’t they live like the ’postles?”