The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1870-02-19
A Minister'S Courtesy.

Mr.. Ely used to tell little story of a
brother clergyman, Rev. Mr. Gay, of Suf
field, which story was good illustration
of Yankee "cuteness. Several similar
anecdotes have appeared in print, but this
is genuine g simon pure l believe.
! Among Mr. Gays parishioners was a
well-to-do farmer, named, we will say,
Brown, who was especially generous in his
free will tithes to the good minister. This
| farmers errand and "chore" boy, getting
| big enough to take his place at the pillow, a
new boy was taken into service-a rough,
unframed little fellow, I think from the
| poer-house. To him the promoted boy dis
coursed quite condescendingly You hev
got into pretty nice place, tell you and
! if you behave they'll use you well, give
you plenty of good victuals, winter clothes,
winter schoolin', and not work you tew
hard. But one thing-yeu'll have to so on
errantls to the minister's pretty often, and
lug big baskets of things; and the worst
of it is that you'll never get nothing but
thanks from the parson and his folks-not
so much as a shillin for your pains"
Johnny heard and pendered, and it hap
pened 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 the parsonage
he was not in the sweetest temper. He
lol ,,,to h, If,
knocking, or removing his hat and setting
down his basket, said gruf1iy:
"Mr Gay, Mr.. Brown has sent you this
here quarter of veal.''
"Ah, Indeed" said the minister bland
ly. az am obliged to him. Are you Mr..
Browns new boy ?"
eyes,
"Well, my lad, when you have been in
his family while longer, your manners
will doubtless improve
"Why, what $ the matter with my man
ners?'' asked the boy with look of stupid
establishment.
"Why, my son, they are little abrupt
and disceurteous. Now your way of pre-
senting Mr. Browns present was not just
what it should have been. think can
show you, SO that you will know just how
to do it next time. I will personats you,
and you may pretend that you are ME, for
few minutes
Saying this, the minister took up the
basket, went into the entry and closed tie
door. Then he knocked gently.
The boy, having seated himself in the
minister's chair, and put on grave and
reverend aspect, called out, "Come in
Entering very quietly and deferentially,
though with difficulty preserving his gray
ity, holding his hat in enc hand and the
basket in the other, the minister approach
ed his small proxy, and said, with a low
bow, Mr.. Brown sends his compliments
and begs that you will accept this quarter
of veal, Mr.. Gay"
60 am very much obliged to Mr.. Brown,
and to you, too, my fine boy said Johnny,
with an heir of the utmost seriousness
"but it seems to me that it's big load for
so small lad to carry. Just take it into
the kitchen and ask Mrs. Gay to give you
a quarter of dollar"
Nobody ever enjoyed this story more
than Mr.. Gay; except, perhaps, Mrs. Gay,
who promptly paid over the quarter to the
clever little actor.
He ought to have become a great lawyer.
Perhaps he did, and ended his days on the
bench.-Independent