The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1853-12-21

strange as it may appear, have come tc
accept your proposal; but can do it only
on one condition; and il is that your reques
for change of weather must be unan
imous." =.
This appeared very able, since
every member of the parish had been in
Iterested in the farming business. and ere
long it was arranged that Mr.. Surely
should become the pastor of Fallowdale
and that he should give the people rain
whenever they asked Tor it.
When Mr.. Surely returned to his lodg.
ings, his wife was utterly astounded upon
learning the nature of the contract her
husband had entered into, but the pastor
only smiled, and bade her wait for the re-
suit.
..But you know you cannot make rain,' -
persisted Mrs. Surely" "and you know, too,
that the farmers here will be wanting rain
very often when there is none for them.-
You will be disgraced." .
II will teach them a lesson" quietly re.
turned the pastor. @ .' -
GAY, that you cannot be as good as
your word; and when you have taught it to
them. they will turn you off,
"We shall see." was Mr.. Surely's re-
ply, as he took up book and commenced
reading.
This was signal for his wife 10 desist
from further conversation on the subject,
and she at once obeyed.
Time flew on. and at length the hot days
OF midsummer were at hand. For three
weeks it had not ,rained. and the young
corn was beginning to curl up beneath the
effects OF the drought. In this extremity,
the people bethought themselves Of the
promise, and some OF them fastened TO his
dwelling.
Come" said Sharp. whose hilly farm
was suffering severely, tive want some
rain. You remember your PROMISE
..Cer,ainly." returned Mr.. Surely. sit
you callsfor meeting Of the members Of
the parish. will be with you this evening
With this the applicants were perfectly
and forthwith they FASTENED to
call the flock together.
Now. you1l see the hour Of your dis
grace said Mrs. Surely. after the visitors
had gone. "Oh. am sorry you under
took to deceive them so.''
Il did not deceive them."
Yes. you surely did"
I'VE shall see," responded the pastor.
$50 we shall see," added the lady.
The hour for the meeting came around.
and Parson Surely met'his people at the
church. They were all there; most ofthem
anxious and the remainder curious.
ssNow, nv friends.s' said the pastor,
arising upon the platform, 81 have come
to hear your request. What is iil"
I'VE want rain,'' blun,ly spoke Farmer
Sharp; "and you know you promised to
give it to US.
"Ay. rain! rain!' repeated half doz-
en- voices.
s.Very we'll. Now, when will you have
it?"
"This very night long," said Sharp, to
which several others Immediately assented.
a'No, no; not tonight cried Deacon
Smith; 81 have six or seven ton of well
made hay in the field, and would not
have il wet for anything"
$50 | have hay out." added MIR. Peck.
We won't have it to rain tonight"
.,Then let it be tomorrow" said anoih-
er.
FfsFiI Will tdko tI6 oil uhy bO-iuOiiOW W
getimy hay in, said Smith.
Thus the objections came up for the two
succeeding days. and at length. by way Of
compromise, MIR. Sharp proposed that they
should have rain in just fourd days. "For,"
said he, ssby that time. all the hay which
is7now out can be got in, and we need not
any .Hea .ss
',Stop, .stop!" uttered Mrs. Sharp. pull
ing her worthy husband smarily by the
sleeve. THAT is the day we have set to
20 10 Snow hill. 1t mustn't rain then!'
This was the law for Mr.. Sharp, so he
proposed the rain should come in one
week, and then resumed his seat But
this would not do; many Of the people
would not have ii put off so long. ''lf we
can't have it rain before then. we'd better
not have il at ALL" said they. -.
In short the meeting resulted in just no
conclusion at all, for. the good people
found it utterly impossible to agree upon
time when i, should rain.
s'Un,il you can make up your minds up.
on this point" said the pastor, as he was
about leaving the church. I've must all
trust in the Lord" And after this the
people followed him from the place.
Both Deacon Smith and Mr.. Peck got
their hay safely in, but on the very day
thai Mr.. Sharp and his wife were TO have
started for Snow hill, it began to rain in
right good earnest. Sharp lost his visit,
bui he met the disappointment with good
grace, for his crops smiled at the rain.
Ere another month had rolled by an
other meeting was called for petition for
rain, but this time the result was the same
as before. Many of the people had their
muck to dig, and rain would prevent them;
some in one, some in two, and some in
three days, while others wanted tito be put
off longer. So Mr.. Surely had notyet oc-
casion to call for rain.
One year rolled by, and up to that time
the people Of Fallowdale had never been
able to agree upon what kind Of weather
they would have, and the result was that
they were beginning to open their eyes to
the fact that the world would be strange
place if its inhabitants could govern it,
While they had been longing for a power
they did not possess. they had not seen its
absurdity, but now they had, in good faith,
tried to apply that power under the belief
thot II xhax, oo,,, o1o rlx, fh Of