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SHEER GOSSIP 15never have truck or trade with Methodists, and Mr.Meredith will find that he'd better steer clear of them,too. He is entirely too sociable with them, believe me.Why, he went to the Jacob Drew's silver wedding supperand got into a nice scrape as a result.""What was it?""Mrs. Drew asked him to carve the roast goosefor Jacob Drew never did or could carve.Meredith tackled it,Well, Mr.and in the process he knocked itclean off the platter into Mrs. Reese's lap, who wassitting next him. And he just said dreamily, 'Mrs.Reese, will you kindly return me that goose?' Mrs.Reese 'returned' it, as meek as Moses, but she musthave been furious, for she had on her new silk dress.The worst of it is,she was a Methodist.""If she had been a Presbyterianshe would most likely have left the church andwe cannot afford to lose our members. And Mrs."But I think that is better than if she was a Presbyterian,"interjected Susan.Reese is not liked in her own church, because she givesherself such great airs, so that the Methodists wouldbe rather pleased that Mr. Meredith spoiled her dress.""The point is, he made himself ridiculous, and I,for one, do not like to see my minister made ridiculousin the eyes of the Methodists," said Miss Corneliastiffly."If he had had a wife it would not have happened.""I do not see if he had a dozen wives how theycould have prevented Mrs. Drew from using up her