Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1856-12-06
THE OLD BLACK BULL.

vance sheets Of new work to Be published by
+. b. Peterson, PhlSdelpha, entitled, The
Humors Of Fsconbridge." The author was
the late ]. F, Kelley, better kncwn as "Fal-
conbridge.'l
It's poor human naiur', all out, to wraugle
and quarrel now and then, from the kitchen to
the paFlor, in church and state. Even the IA
theirs OF the holy tabernacle are not proof
against this little weakness for people will
have passions, will belung TO meeiin', and peo-
pie will let their passions rise, even under the
pulpit. But we have no distinct recollection
Of ever having known a msdirecied, bot prop
ery interpreted letter, to settle a chuckly ''plog
muse SO efficiently and happily as The case
we have in point.
Old John Bulkley (erandson Of the once "a
nous President Chaanocy) was minister Of
the gospel, and one Of the best edicafed men Of
his day in the wooden nutmeg State, when the
immortal (or ought TO be) Jonathan Trumbull
was around, and 10 his youth. Mr.. Bnlkley
was the first settled minister ia the town Of his
adoption, Colchester, Connecticut. il was
with him, as afterwards with good old brother
Jonathan (Goycrnor Trumbull, the bosom friend
Of General Washina,on,) good to confer on al
most any matter, scientific, political, or relig-
ious-any subject, in short, wherein common
sense and general good to all concerned was
the issue. As philosophical reasoner, casu-
ist, aSd good counsellor, he was looked up to,
and abided by.
II so fell out that congregation in Mr.
Bulkley's vicinity 60, To loegerheads, and were
uPon the apex Of raising the evil one, instead
Of spire to their church. as they proposed and
split upon. The very nearest they could come
to mutual cessation Of the hostiliies. was to
appoint committee Of three, 10. wait on Mr..
Bulkley, state their case, and get him to adju-
didate. They waited on the old gentleman,
and he listened with grave attention TO their
conflicting grievances.
1t appears 10 me- said the old gentleman,
that this is a very simple casa very irfing
thing TO cause you so much vexaton.'
so say, says one Of the oomnlaoe.
Il don't call IL tri(ling case. Mr.. Bulkley,
said another.
NO case at ALL responded the third
| III amt, ehp fercely answered the first
speaker.
No, il amt sir ! quite as ssvsseIy replied
the third
Its anything bu, ,riaing case, anyhow.
echoed number two, to expect TO raise The
minister's salary and thai new sieeple, too, ou,
OF our small congregation
There is no danger of raising much out Of
you, anyhow, Mr.. Johnson, spitefully returned
number one.
Gentlemen, il you please beseechinely
iu.erposed the sage.
4 haven, come here, Mr.. Bulkley, 10 quar-
rel, said one.
WHO started thisi' sa,cas,ically answered
Mr.. Johnson.
Not me, anyway number three replies.
You don't say did, do you says number
one.
Gentlemen ,--aentlemen -
MIR Bulkley, you see how it is there's
Johnson
Yes, Mr.. Bulkley, says Johnson, 'Bnd
there's old Wrinkles, too, and here's Deacon
Potter, also.
Il an here sliffiy replied the deacon, 'snd
am sorry the Reverend Mr.. Bulkley finds mt
in such company. sir =
Nov, gentlemen, brothers, il you please,
said Mr.. Bulkley, this is ridculous,-'
so say murmured Mr.. Wrinkles.
AS far as you are concerned, il is ridicu-
lous.' said the deacon.
This brought MI. Wrinkles up, standing.
SIR he shouted, sir =
i Bot ny dear ars-' beseechingly said the
philosopher.
Sir, continued Wrinkles, sir am toe
old man-too good Christian. Mr.. Bulkley
10 allow man, mean, despcable toad, like
Deacon Potter
DO you call meme a despicable toad
menacingly cried the deacon.
Brethren, said Mr.. Bulkley, III | am !,
counsel you 10 your difference, must have ne
more Of this unchris,an-like bickering.'
4 do moi wish 10 bicker sir said johnson
Nor don't want to, sir said the deacon
but when a man calls me toad, mean, des
picabe foad--'
We'll, we'll, never mind, said Mr.. Bulkley
you are all too excited now go home again
and wait patiently; on Saturday evening next
! will have prepared and sent 10 you written
opinion Of your case, with full and free avow-
al Of most wholesome advice for preserving
your church from desolaiion and yourselves
from despair And The committee left, to
await his issue.
Now il chanced that Mr.. Bulkley had small
farm, some distance from the town OF Colches.
ter, and found it necessary, The same day he
wIote his opinion and advice TO the brethren Of
the dsafected church, TO drop line to his far.
mer regarding the fixtures Of said estate. Hav-
ing written a long, and Of course, elaborate
essay 10 his brethren, he wound up the day,
/ liiararv aNarftana NTH Aaanatrh t., h. e..