The Hillsborough recorder. [volume] (Hillsborough, N.C.) 1820-1879, 1870-03-02
A ministers courtesy.

Mr.. Ely used 10 tell q little story OF .
brother clergyman, Rev. Mr.. Gay Of Suf
field, which story was good illustration q
Yankee 'cuteness. Several similar anec-
dotos have appeared in print, but this is q
genuine s'simon-pure,' ! believe.
Among Mr.. Gays parishioners was q
well-to-do farmer, named, we will say,
Brown, who was especially generous in hi
free will tithes TO the good minister. This
farmer errand and schore'' boy, getting
big enough to take his place at the plough,
new bow was taken to seryicc--a rough,
sntained little fellow, I think from the
poor-house. 10 him the promoted boy
discoursed quite condescendingly You
have got into pretty nice place, | tell you
and if you behave they Il use you well, give
| you plenty of good yictuals, 9 suit of Sum
day clothes, winter clothes, winter schoolin"
and not work you tew hard. But one thing
You will haveto 60 onerrands to the min
ister's pretty often, and lug big baskets Of
things and the worst of it is that you Il
never get nothing but thanks from the par
son and his folks-not 50 much as shillin'
for your pains
johnny heard and pondered, and il hap
pene1 that the very next morning he was
sent to the minister's with a heavy quarter
Of veal, about az much as he could carry.
The way was long and the weather was
warm, and when lie reached the parsonage
lie was not ii the sweetest tempers. He
marched into tho breakfast room without
knocking. Of removing his hat. and setting
down his basket, he said grufiy: F
..Mr. Gay. Mr. Brown has sent you this
here quarter Of veal.
.sAh : Indeed, (" said the minister bland
| ly. II am obliged to him. Are you Mr..
Brown new boyf''
Yes
"Well, my lad, when you have been IN
his family while longer your manners viii
doubtless improve" !"
"Why, what's the matter with my man.
ners?" askca the boy with look Of stupid
astonishment.
"Why, my son, they are little abrupt
and discourteous. Now your way Of pre-
senting Mr.. Browns present was not Just
what il should have been. 4 think | can
show you. 10 that you will know Just how
10 az Il next time. l will personate yon,
/ and you may pretend tnar yvu are ms, q.
d few minutes"
i Saving this, the minister took up the bas
lket. went into the entry, and closed thl
door. Then he knocked gently.
The boy, having seated himself in tn
minister's chair, and pat on . grave an,
reverend aspect, called out, 'sCome in. :
Entering very quietly and deferentially
though with difficulty preserving bis gravi
ty. holding hat in one hand and the baske
|, in the other, the minister approached hi
small proxy, aud said, with low bow
..Mr. Brown sends his compliments. au'
begs that You will accept this quarter Q
, veal. Mr.. Gay"
II am very much obliged % Mr.. Brown
and 70 You too, my fine boy" aid johnny
, with an air Of the utmost seriousness; ''ba
Lit seems 70 me that its big load for !
, small a lad 70 carry. just take IT into tn
kitchen and AK Mrs. Gay to give you
, quarter u 4 collar
Nobody ever enjoyed this story moro thal
| Mr.. Gay, except, perhaps. Mrs. Gay, VII
promptly paid over the quarter 70 the cle
yer little actor.
He ought 70 have become great lawyer
/, Perhaps he did -Iadpeafeat.