The Lancaster gazette. (Lancaster, Ohio) 1846-1852, 1849-09-21
Mistellnueous.
PAY YOUR MINISTER.


"Yes, sir, take it every time 90 dun
ming" answered the boy.
"Well, what does he say!"
He ha'nt the money; that's what he al
ways says"
"Well go again,-these ministers are sal
ared men, and they ought to pay wonder
what they do with their money,--practice
before precept, say,-I want no better re-
iigion than to pay my debts,"--a smirk Of
satisfaction played over his hard fsatures.--
"Here, take this bill, I'll drive him till
get it,--give him touch of the law ,--yes,
--no,--go, Bill"
"He won't pay, know" muttcred Bill,
walking off.
A knock at Mr.. Scott's door; Mary an
swered lis summons.
81 want to see Mr.. Scott" demanded the
boy Up few Mary to the study door; gen
ty opening it, and on tiptoe peeping in,--
"Papa, please come down, boy wants you;'
and as he put aside his pen and slowly arose,
Mary jumped in and nestled her little hand
lovingly in his,--''l'lI lead you father,--it
is Mr.. Cooks boy" All! Mary little dreamed
how drearily the information fell upon her
fathers ear.
"Is it!"--he aOps, --"perhups, then, you
had better go down and ask him to send up
his message, for am SO busy, ,"--he hesitates
--'no, Mary, stop, will GO myself These
are exigencies must meet" he added to
himself, pressing his lips firmly together,
lest an impatient or repining thought might
seek an utterance.
"Here's Mr.. Cooks bill, and he says he
wants the pay now" was the familiar greet
ing that Mr., Scott met at the door; alas,
too familiar had the poor man become with
messages of a similar character.
"Yes,--yes,--Mr. Cooks bilI," taking
the bill in one hand, and thrusting the other
into his pocket, more from habit than expec-
tation that it would come in contact with
anything else hut the two keys which con-
stantly resided there, and which he some
times jingled together, in the pleasing allu-
sion that they sounded like change,
al believe am quite out Of money now,
but tell Mr.. Cook will try and send it over
soon" ,.....
"How sooni" asked the boy impatiently,
"lhat is what you said before."
A deep flush passed over the min lister as
he mildly answered, "Just as soon as can'
and experience told him but too painfully
that his "soon" had no very definite boun-
daries. 7 he boy soon departed.
"Come my little girl, want you to go an
errand; ask your mother to pnt on your
things. said Mr.. Scott, trying to be mirtll-
ful.
"Mother's laid down little while; | can
dress me-" and away she skipped.
Mr.. Scott returned to his study and wrote
an urgent request 10 the treasurer of his So
ciety, soliciting some payment of the long
and unpaid arrears of his last years salary.
"Pm ready father said Mary at his ell.
Cow, Just as he had finished.
my dear, you will be cold; have you moth
ingto wear on your neck but this'' said the
father taking the corner Of a thia kerchef
in his hand; "~hy, it's Move nber, and It's
very cold out" ....
Mothers got the shawl; I've beea down
in the kitchen aud am warm. It's very cold
up here, father, why don't you have a fire
in your study, where you sit and study 50
much! Don't your fingers freeze, father"
81 should be very glad to have one" said
the minister with slight dependence in
his tone, ''but we cannot have everything
we want in this world, Mary"
"We shan't want fires in heaven, shall
we father!"
"Thank God, no Nary and he hastily
brushed away the starting tear. Garry
this note over to Mr. Goodwin and wait for
an answer; run and you will be warmer"
Away the child sped. The minister tuok
a few turns in the narrow precincts Of his
study, rubbed his hands, buttOneG up his
threadbare coat, aad then resumed his chair
and pen; bat with every gust that whirled
the dead leaves against the window, chill
and shver swept through his frame.
Halfan hour aud back came the little mos
senger; at the patting Of her little feet up
on the stairs, hope aud fear, fear and hope,
rose and fell in his bosom, and as he turned
round and beheld her happy, rosy face, a
bright vision ofbank bills, fitted before him.
80 you have got it," he said cheerily
and thankfully,
"No, father, he says he's uery sorry, hut
he has not got dollar for you yet, he says
he hopes he shall soon, and he's very sor-
ry." Who that has not been similarly sit
uated can describe the heart-sinking that
follows such an nnouncementl-"He says
he's very sorry added Mary again, as If
fearing her father needed consolation.
"Ob, very well, thank yon, my dea-i now
run down and help mother" ...
"I'm going to get dinner if mother isn't
we'll enough to get np,-she will let me-"
"See what fine dinner you can GET"
and the minister could not have restrained
sigh, had he suffered himself to count the
probabilities of future dinners; but then he
remembered the lilies Of the field and the
fowls of the air, and trusting love stole
into his bosom and he felt he was in a Faith
er's house, and undera Fathers care.
Undue time came the dinner hour. "MOth-
er don't feel well enough to get up, but she
wants you TO sit down with us children,
father" said Mary, again presenting herself
at the study
Mr.. Scott proceeded to the bedroom
"Are you no better; Sarah!" he asked,
teGderely taking the thin hand of his wife,
upon whose hand lay a siokly purple infant,
of ive weeks. You ought not so soon to
have tried to do the work; the weather is
cold, and you have exposed yourself too
much fear"
"Ough NOT are hard words" answered
the wife, family smiling, 81 hope shall
be better soon, for we cannot afford to hire.
live only had that flannel, dear, / could be
sitting up, making that, while am too fee
bic 10 do much about the house, lam afra id
you suffer foryour waistcoats; think fan.
mel would strengthen me. If.you could le,
me have little money" continued the