The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1871-03-30
A Clerical Anecdote.

Dr. Elliott, a noted clergyman of an old
Connecticut town, being "well.to-do,"
and keeping neither locks nor bolts on his
possessions, was frequently visited by
burglars in 4 small way.
One dark night he went for his horse in
the barn, which was at some distance
from the parsonage. Just as he was
about to enter, he heard some one coming
out, and Immediately concealed himself
behind a large bush in the lane, hiding
his lantern with his cloak. Presently the
wide barndoor swung open, and a man
appeared, bending beneath an immense
load of hay bound by a rope. Through
loops of this rope he thrust his arms, and
carried the huge mass like a peddler's
pack The doctor suffered the thieving
Atlas to pass him; then, taking the cam
die from his lantern he crept softly for
ward and set fire to the hay, and again
concealed himself In q moment the
moving haycock was Il great, cracking
blaze, and the thief, with wild cries, was
trantically 11inging it from his head and
back. He succeeded in eNtricating him
self without help, and then ran as though
pursued by tends across the snowy fields.
Some months after this there came to
the doctors study, pale, thin, mclan-
choly looking man, who, after much hes
itation, expressed Il desire to make Il
confession of sin. With serious and
sympathetic manner, yet with, | suspect,
a sly twinkle in his eye. the minister set
himself to listen.
1--WE had dreadful load on my con-
science for constable SPELL and it does
seem, doctor, as eff 'twould kill me I'm
Almost dead now.n
'Ah is it possible? What can you
have done? You are Il respectable man,
and church members the old farmer
then Esinking his voice to an awesome,
confidential tone, he continued: But
I'm dreadful sinner for all that doctor:
and being church member, my sin, you
see, was oftoo much account to be winked
at, and Judgment followed close on after
it. q dear, Or
''To help yourselfto little of my sur
plus hay, eh ?"
"Yis, doctor ies so. But never got
home with that ar hay. The Lord would
not let me do it. | had load on my
back, an was carrying it way, when all
at once it burst into Il blaze about my
ears"
''struck by lightning?'
mo, doctor, it was a clear night. I've
Just made up my mind that fire dropped
down from heaven and kindled that ar
hay Twas a judgment an warnin, =
an Pm ateared Il sort of tOrerunner OF
the flames of hell. At last, | thought
might feel a little better if I'd just own
up to you, an ask your pardon an your
prayers"
70 the establishment of the poor peni
tent, the minister laughed out merrily
Then he said: sBe comforted neighbor;
your little thieving operation was hardly
of such consequence to heaven rs all that.
fire to the hay from my lantern and 1
must say you yelled Justify and ran brisk
ly for u man of your years. Why didn't
youstell. me if you wanted hay? Now go
home in peace, get well, and steal no
more"
''You, doctor! You2 Be you sartin sure
you set fire to that II hay?'
Eyes, quite sure; that was my own lit
tie bonfire. l noticed when you came to
meeting the next Sunday, that your hair
was 4 little singed. As for the flames of
hell, neighbor, that's your look out. |
trust there is time to escape them yet"
$50, SO, twas you that did it all The
Lord be praised !" exclaimed the farmer,
fervently ut really is amazin' relief an
my old woman was right, for she says ::
60 to the minister and confess, and that'll
lift the biggest hett of the sin off your con-
science, an be better than doctor stuff.
An you did it? Well, folks says you are a
master man for Joke; but this one was
more solemn than a sermon to me, an more
eff'ectual, doctor, do believe"
SO saying the farmer departed in peace
and the parson kept the secret of his name,
even in his own family, always, l think