The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1869-06-18

sion, and he cheerfuly II accepts II. sP
point the occasion Of your visit to New Yori
next month, aud the day that on which you OK
TO preach for DR.. Whats-his-name. No backing
out They tell me you are rather tender on the
] Doctors daughter, eh By-by. old boy. San
sends bis love.
Your old friend and clasmatc.
GEoR6E GRAvD.
We must remember that ministers especially
young oncs-are. but mortal, and excuse the
carnal wrath which Dunning felt on receipt Of
tbi, letter. do not believe language adequate
to express his feelings. As Graves had suggest
q, he was very tenderly disposed to the Doctors
daughter, and had hoped to improve this op-
portunity very much to his advancement. An
imated by this desire, he was already glowing
With inspiration on the efficacy Of sacrrmental
grace-one Of the old gentleman's hobbies-and
nightly spouted well-turned sentences to imag-
mary auditors in the silence Of his room. But
here was o ruthless invader who smotc oil his
fine air-castlcs to smith-rceps This sermon
which might mnke his fortune must be thrust
aside for dsh-water production, that would
be an insult to the audience aud iain him for
ever with the critical and exacting divine. With
all his worldliness, however, Dunning was too
conscientious to break his word and though he
felt as ifhe was signing his owe death-warrant,
he wrote Tickler that he would keep his pledge.
Although he had no personal interest at stake
Sam was as much disconcertcl at the turn Of
Affairs a, Frank Dunn'ng h,mselt
what shall dor he asked himself, argu-
mentatively. Show shall begini I am not
posted in doctrine. don't know anything Of
theology. I wish could think Of some way to
solve the question
But while he tried to think, tune passed and
the month Of May came. Next week Dunning
would be in town. But one Sunday intervencd
before the fatal day. A cold chill ran all over
Sam. It was Saturday night The shades Of q
dull May evening were settling over the city,
but he still sat in his Office, brooding over his
skeleton, as he called 1t, and fairly getting des-
pente. Something must DO done, and that
forthwith. A thought flashed upon him. He
had partially learned shOri. hand in college, and
aiserward, finding Il vc;y uscir', had perfected
himself therein. In many tight pinch pho
noyraphy had helped him afOretime, aud II
could aid him now.
Why not' With the suggestion came the 30
luton Of tue difficulty. He was out Of the
woods Sho, ,-hand forever With wonder
ful change of feeling. Sam jumped up and went
home; first, however, carefully slowing away
in one pocket box Of pencils and In the other
his notebook.
The next morning Sam sailed 70. III to pur~
loin sermon. may as well confess the truth
at once that his pretty intimate knowledge Of
New York did not extend to Its churches. He
had q vague idea of the vorious denominations.
but, 70 questioned very clocely, would have
been compelled "to give It up" Without
knowing where to 60, he s.rOlled down Broad
way, aud, unconsciously turning into Twenty
third street, passed before the brown stone sanc-
tity Of St. Vitus.
This Is as good a1 any, he said to h'mself,
end entered the sumptuous portals. Modc5tly
s king the gallery, he found quiet corner near
to the pulpit, and, in due time, he transferred
to his notebook the sermon which the venerable
pastor pronounced. 1t was fla; burglary, no
doubt, aud should be classsl among ofenscs
punishable without benefit OF Clergy; but sue
cess, like the mantle Of charity, covers null
titude Of sins in our days, and nobody Is o
criminal till he Is found out.
BY the next morning he had II copied of. On
Wednesday, Dunning made his appearance, to
demand Sans sermon, hoping dcvoutly In his
g ,ret heart that he would bo justified In declin-
ing to preach 1t. Sam handed him the manu-
script With triumphant smile. Dunning sat
down aud read It through attcntively. When
he had finished, he drew deep breath and
lookCl his companion straight in the eyes.
SAM he said, did you wl.te that sermonl'
Idid,' replied Sam. promptly, every word
Of it, adding aside to himself, That's only q
white lie; he didn't ask II composcdit'
'wcll,' said Dunniug, honestlv, Il own up.
It's better sermon than can write, and have
devoted five years to studying theology exclu-
sively.,
There's just where you fail, my dear boy,
said Sam, with dignity. 'lf you would study
something elsc-human nature, for instance
you would gain far more cathOlicity in your
ideas, and be able to preach better Sermon
Dunning shook bis head with dubious look,
and took the sermon and his leave. Tcklcr
was quite elatcd at the success Of his rdse. aud
anxiously looked forward for the 6uale. While
dressing for church Sunday morning. he sud-
denly stopped and exclaimed:
.Now that's funny! don't know where
Frank Is going to preach. never heard the
doctors name. wonder who can tell met /
guess Gibson c-n.'
lie met Gibson ON his doorstep. Certainly,
1 fnow,' sad he Il am going there now. Come
slong-wc're late
They walked rapidly doNn town, In animated
conversation, Sam paying no attention to their
route, till Gibson said, 'Here we sie,' aud Sam
looked up and beheld with horror tho eIoteric
magni6cencc Of St. Vitus.
Not here he exclaimed, catching Gibson
6crcely by the arm.
YES, hsrer said Gibson, shas'ng him OF.
why notr
Tictler sprang up the steps three at time
and rushed into the church. He must see Dun
ming before the services BEGIN. Alas, 1t was toe
late Frank stood in the desk, reading the
lesson for the day. The benevolent doctor sat
beaming on i,Om behind, while bis blush'ns
daughter bcamei on him in i.ont. Sam felt as
II there were beams in both Of h's eyes.
is yOr- f.crd i'',' wh'spcnl the sexton to
Gibson. as he gave them seat.
Something seems to be the matter with him,
repl'cl Gibson, 'snd I should say he's got II