The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1870-11-09
n The sChest OF StIyer.


by Pastor Herman, who, like most oftthe
.preaohersl of That wealthy sect, had
anassed considerable fortune, and was
much esteemed and beloved by his con
gregation. Not day passed without
numerous applications to him for assist
ance of various kinds, and none were
sent away without word of consolation
or q more substantial gift.
One day, rs he was compelled by in
disposition to keep his room, n woman
came in and crared his interference.
She had lately removed to st. Peters
burg with her husband, who was gold
smith, and who had succeeded in cstab-
fishing himself so we'll that he earned an
ample support for both Of them; but he
made her wretched by his persistent and
outrageous ill-trectment, without the
slightest provocation or retort on her
part, all of which she had until now pa
tiently endured.
The pastor expressed his regret that
indisposition prevented him from leav.
ing tho house.
bring your husband to me-" said he.
THAT will be no easy matter" re-
turned the woman; 'for if he suspects
that rebukc is in waiting for him he
will not come. No; he must know no.
him that you wish to buy something
from him, he'll not fail to wait on your
reverence"
'That is lucky thought" said the
pastor, ;:ior am about to purchase a
complete tea-service of silver"
''And lie has just finished very
beautiful one" exclaimed the woman.
The next day the goldsmith came
with his chest, accompanied by the wo-
man.
Tho pastor was secretly surprised to
see her with him, but advanced to meet
him, saying:
''Ah! the silver tea-set?'
eyes, your reverence, have brought
the service as you desired"
Very we'll, said the pastor. ''Be
so good as to come with me into my
study"
When they were alone, the good
clergyman began to speak urgently upon
the duty of husband. and dwelt with
impressive eloquence upon the sacred
ness Of the vow which married part-
ners make before the altar to each
other.
His listener seemed very much as
tonished, and several times attempted
to interrupt his discourse; but Pastor
Herman begged him to hear him to the
end.
what excuse can you make for your
conduct" asked he, in conclusion.
"What is the cause of it? You look SO
mild and good-tempered, my friend.
How comes it that you are such bad
husband?"
II know what you mean to say. You
are usually rs meek us lamb, apd only
impetuous ut certain times; but to 60 SO
far rs to beat your wife,"
''lou have mistaken the person, re-
vercnd sir; have never beaten my
wife"
"How? Do you deny il? Fic"'
Because continued the man. Il am
not married.
''Why, your wife is at this moment
waiting in the next room.''
"Why? My wife? Your reverence is
mistaken. have no wife. That wo-
man is your own housckccper. She
came to me with commission from yon
to bring service Of silver for your in
spcction.'
The pastor began to look uneasy
"Shc must be mad woman" said he.
COR thief" said the goldsmith.
They went hastily into the next room
but it was empty! Jho woman had
disappeared with the chest of silver, and
all the efforts Of the police to recover it
wero in vain.
Tho trick was SO we'll devised and
planned that it would have succeeded
with the most prudent and circnmspect
The goldsmith left the silver III the outer
room, in charge of the supposed house
keeper, ut the express desire of the pas
tor, while the latter confded it to the
keeping OF the supposed wife OF the
former. Had the matter been brought
into litigation, whose would have been
the loss? Unfortunately the pastor had
no thought for such an alternative. He
felt compassion for tho poor man, who
gained precarious living by his labor;
and as he, on the contrary, was rich
enough to bear the injury, he bore it
alone.
MATRIMoNY.-Dontb be alarmed, ladies,
it is not our province on the present
occasion to enter the list as defender or
opposer of this ancient institution, which
has n charm about it that delights all
who have not tried it, and some who