Elizabeth Avery Meriwether
Published: 2013-09
Total Pages: 36
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This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1879 edition. Excerpt: ... chapter xiii. Emily's Story. When I left father's house, had any one predicted I would become the thing I am, I would have pronounced such prophet crazy. At that time my only thought was to earn a decent support by honest labour. You know, Hester, I was neither lazy or luxurious. I found work in a distant village in a minister's house. I had met this minister when at my aunt's going to school. He evinced much interest in my studies, and in other respects manifested much kindness. He was the first person in the world who discovered anything in me worthy of interest, worthy of commendation. My first feeling toward him was heart-felt gratitude. If you remember, Hester, father never praised, he always found fault, he disparaged every effort we might make, whatever the direction. I had grown up with a secret belief that I was uncouth and altogether unlovely. This minister, Mr. Jermym, was the first to give me the idea that I was even passably good-looking, or that it was even possible I might win love as more gifted women do. You must also remember, Hester, coming from a minister, this had not only double but quadruple weight with me. We had been brought up to look on preachers as on the Lord's anointed; as the best and truest of men, as but little lower than the angels; as standing between the great and awful God and sinning people to make known His will. Educated thus, is it any wonder so many women make themselves fools about preachers? Mrs. Jermym was a patient, sweetly-disposed woman, an invalid, far gone in consumption. My business was to take care of Mrs. Jermym and superintend the house. The labour was light and not disagreeable, the pay a trifle. I vol. ii. L was contented. In a hundred little ways Mr. Jermym made my stay in his...