The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1869-09-16
A Minister'S Courtesy.

Mr.. Ely used to tell a. little story Of a
brother clergyman, Rev Mr., Gay, of Sufield
which story was good Illustration of Yam
kee "cuteness." Several similar anecdotes
have appeared in print, but this is genuine
"Simon pure, we believe 3 81 aeW Hais,
| Among Mr.. Gays parishioners was q we'll
TODD farmer, named, we will say Brown, who
was especially generous in his free-wll tithes
to the good minister This farmers GRAND
and "chore' boy, getting big enough to take
his place at the pillow, new boy was taken
into scrvice--a rough, unframed little fellow.
To him the promoted boy disoourscd quite
condescendingly: "You hev got into pretty
, nice place, tell you; and if you behave,
they will use you well, give you plenty Of
good victuals, a suit of Sunday clothes, win
ter clothes, winter schoolin', and not work
you tew hard. But one thing-you'll have
to go on errands to the minister's pretty often,
and lusHbig baskets of things; andth worst
of it is, you'll never get nothing but thanks
from the parsdn and his folks-not SO much
as shilin' for your pains"
| Johnny heard and pondercd, and it happen
| ed that the very next morning he was sent to
| the minister's with heavy quarter of veal
about as much as he could carry The way
was long and the weather was warm, and when
he reached tie parsonage he was not in. the
sweetest Of tempers. He marched into tho
breakfast room without knocking or removing
his hat; and setting down his basket, said
gruf1y -. ..s,2., IN
"Nlr Gay, Mr.. Brown has sent you this
here quarter Of veal -
.'Ah indeed, said the miaister blandly.
II am Obliged to him. Are you Mr. Browns
new boy ?"
"Yes"r az,Yi IN sBaE sG f&I
"Well, my lad, when you have been in the
family while longer, your manners will
doubtless improve"
"Why, what's the matter with nv man
ners ?"askedi the boy, with a look Of stupid
establishment. a.s4 N il8goS y
"Why, my son, they, are a little abrupt and
discourteous. Now, your way of presenting
MIR. Browns present was not just what it
should have been. Ithink I can show you,
so that you will know just how to do next
time. | will personate you, and you may
pretend you are me for few minutes"
Saying this, the minister took up the bas-
ket, wentinto the entry and closed the door.
Then he knocked gently. eg ,sas'teg ri ~
stf5f
minister's chair, and put on grave and
reverend aspect, called out, "Come in"
Entering very quietly and deferentialIy,
though with difficulty preserving his gravity,
holding bis hat in one hand and the basket
in the other, the minister approached his
small proxy, and said with low bow, 'sNIr.
Brown sends his compliments, and begs- that
you will accept this quarter of veal, Mr..
Gay" ,seo.'
II am very much obliged TO Mr.. Brown,
and to you, too, my fine boy" with an air of
utmost seriousness; 'but it seems to me
that it's big load for so small a lad to car
ry. Just take it into the kitchen and ask
Mrs. Gay to give you quarter Of a dollar"
Nobody ever enjoyed this story more than
Mr. Gay himself, except, perhaps, Mrs. Gay,
who promptly paid over the quarter to the
cleveractor.
/ He ought to have been great lawyer Per-
haps he was, and ended his days on the
bench.