Indiana American., 1854-03-10
The Joking CIergymnn.

Rev. DIR. Byles was the most original
compound of religion and mirth, con-
spicuous ia the latter part of the last
century, in New England. With good
heart, mind of stable principles, and a
decent reverence for his holy office, he
nevertheless possessed buoyant and
genial flow Of spirits, constantly running
over with puns and witty conceits. He
maintained his connection with his (the
Hollis streeN church for forty-three
years. He was a hale yet aged man
when the Revolutionary war began, and
in his political predictions leaned to-
wards the royal side.
In May, l777, it was deemed neceA-
sary to arrest him as Tory. He was
condemned to be placed on board guard
ship and sent to England. Subsequently
the sentence was changed to confine-
ment in his house. A sentinel was kept
before his door day and night, whom he
was wont to call his observatory. At
the last the vigilance OF the board of war
relaxed, and the sentinel disappeared;
after a while he was replaced, and after
little removed altogether. The Doc
tor used pleasantly TO remark that he had
been guarded, regarded and disregarded.'
Once the Doctor tried to have the sem
tinel let him 70 after some milk for his
family; but he was firm, and would not;
he then argued the case with the honest
but simple fellow, and actually induced
him to go after the milk, while he, the
Doctor kept guard over himselG The
neighbors were filled with wonderment
to see their pastor walking in measured
strides before his own door with the sem
tinel's gun at his shoulder, and when
the story got abroad itiurnished food for
town gossip and meriment for several
days.
The Doctor had rather a shrewdish
wife, so one day he called at the old dis
tillery that used TO stand on Lincoln
street, and accosted the proprietor thus:
DO you still!'
THAT is my business replied Mr., Hill
the proprietor.
well, them said the Doctor, Il should
like TO have you go ard still my wife,
lie served rather an ungallant trick
upon this same good lady at another
time. He had some curiosities which
people occasionally called to see. One
day two ladies called. Mrs. b. was in
the suds, and begged her husband to
shut her in n closet while he exhibited
his curiosities. He did SO. After ex-
hibiting everything else he said. Now,
ladies', have rese ryed my greatest Curl
osty to the last aud opening the door,
he exhibited Mrs. b. TO the ladies'.
There was an unseemly slough Of de-
spond' before his door, in the shape OF a
quagmire, which he had repeatedly urg-
ed the town authorities to remove. At
lest TWO of the town officers in car
riage got fairly stuck in it. They whip
ded the horse, they hawed and geed. but
could not get out. DR.. Byles saw thsm
from his widow, He stepped out in the
'sueet-'I am delighted, gentlemen,' said
he rubbing his hands with glee, TO see
you stirring in this matter at lastP The
sore in the ground, was healed soon af-
ter.
Going along the street one day he
found hiinselfIn great crowd near the
old North Church.
what is the matter!' inquired he of a
bystander.
why, sir, there is a man going to fly
from the steeple.
'poh! pohl' said he, do you all come
here to see man fyi Why have
seen horse ily.'
A learned lady of Boston despatched a
note to him on the Great Dark Day (May
10, l7S0,) in the following style;
Dear Doctor-How do you account
for this darknessp
His Wy was
Dear Madam am as much in the
dark as you are.'