Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1856-12-05
From the "Humors of Falconbridge ;
THE OLD BLACK BULL.


It's poor human natur', all out, to
wrangle and quarrel now and then, from
the kitchen TO the parlor, in church and
state. Even the fathers Of the holy tab
ernacle are not proef against this little
weakness; for people will have passions,
people will belong to meetin', and peo-
pie will let their passions rise, even un-
der the pulpit. But we have no distinct
recollection of ever having known a mis-
directed, but properly interpreted letter,
to settle chuckly "plug muss," SO eff
GENTLY and happily as the case we have
in point.
Old John Bulkley (grandson of the
once famous President Chauncy) was a
minister of the gospel, and one of the
best edicated men of his day in the wood
EN- nutmeg State, when the immortal Tor
ought to be) Jonathan Trumbull was
" around" and in his youth. Mr.. Bulk
ley was the first settled minister in the
town of his adoption, Colchester, Con-
necticut. 1t was with him, as after
wards with good old brother Jonathan
Governor Trumbull, the bosom friend
of General Wasbington,) good TO confer
on almost any matter, scientific, political,
or religious-any subject, in short, where
in common sense and general good to all
concerned was the issue. As philoso-
phical reasoner, casuist, and good coun'
selor, he was g looked up to- and abided
by.
1t so fell out that congregation in
Mr.. Bulkley's vicinity got to logger
heads, and were upon the apex of rails
ing " the evil one" instead of spi-e to
their church, as they proposed and spill
upon. The very nearest they could
come to a mutual cessation of the hostil
tiles, was TO appoint a committee of three
to wait on Mr.. Bulkley, state their case
and get him to adjudicate. They waited
on the old gentleman, and he listened
with grave attention to their conflicting
grievances.
1t appears to me-" said the old gen.
tleman, that this is very simple case
"a very trifing thing to cause you SC
much vexation."
So l say" says one of the committee
Il don't call it trihing case, Mr.
Bulkley," said another.
No case at all" responded the third.
" 1t amt, eh?" fercely answered tn,
first speaker.
"No, it amt sirl' quite as savegely
replied the third.
Its anything but trifing case, any
how" echoed number two, " to expec
to raise the minister's salary and tha
new steeple, too, out of our small con-
gregation.''
"There is no danger of raising much
out of yoa, anyhow, Mr.. Johnson" spite.
fully returned number one.
" Gentlemen, if you please" be-
seechingly interposed the sage.
" i haven't come here, Mr.. Bulkley
to quarrel" said one.
"Who started this ?" sarcastically
answered Mr.. johnson.
Z" Not me, anyway" number three re
plies.
You don't say 1 did, do you2" say
number one.
Gentlemen gentlemen -"
/" Mr. Bulkley, you see how it is
there's Johnson"
eyes, Mr.. BuIkley," says johnson
and there's old Wrinkles, too, and here
Deacon Potter, also"
| am here" stiffiy replied the dea
con, and | am sorry the Reverend Mr.
Bulkley finds me in such company, sir!7
"Now, gentlemen, brothers, if yot
please" said Mr.. Bulkley, this is ridi
culous,-"
" So I say" mumured Mr.. Wrinkles.
AS far as you are concerned, it is ri
diculous," said the deacon.
This brought Mr. Wrinkles up, stand
ing.
Sir p he shouted, sir p
Z" But my dear sirs-" beseechingl,
said the philosopher.
Sir = continued Wrinkles, sir!
am too old lnan--too good Christian
Mr.. Bulkley, TO allow a man, near
despicable toad, like Deacon Potter"
"Do you call meme a despicabl
toad! 7" menaeingly cried the deacon.
J Brethren" said Dir. Bulkley, if
! am TO counsel you in your difference,
: must have no more Of this uuchristisH
; like pickering"