Publisher's Synopsis
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. 1916 edition. Excerpt: ... XI IN CHURCH In church I generally pushed by my mother in order to sit at the "head of the pew." Adjoining ours a maiden lady sat, old to me, but not much over forty. She brought sprigs of dill and fennel seeds, one or two of which she invariably passed over to me. The nibbling of these spicy seeds would while away the dreary hour of the sermon, before I was old enough to take an interest in the discourse. If she had not the fennel that delightful old lady would unroll a corner of her big, red handkerchief, and disclose two or three red peppermints which she fed to me, one at a time, with long intervals between. She took snuff, tapping a shell box which I thought exceedingly pretty. Once I reached my hand over the separating partition and she allowed me to gratify my unspoken wish. I took a pretty fair pinch which made me sneeze terribly, upsetting mother's and Miss Ely's gravity for several minutes. For a few Sundays after that, I was denied my favorite seat. The choir was located in a gallery at the back of the church. When they sang, the congregation arose, turned around, faced the choir, and leaned comfortably against the backs of the front pews. After a time, it was suggested that it was treating the minister with disrespect to turn our backs upon him, and it was determined to stand facing front. Well I remember what a stir this innovation against a long-established custom made, and how, for many Sundays, the congregation was divided, some turning to face the choir, others facing the minister. And after the custom to face forward became well established, one man, noted for his independence of thought and action, continued to turn towards the choir and sing a heavy bass, while everyone looked on with mingled amusement and...
