National opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1865-1874, 1872-08-02
LAUGHING IN MEETIN'.
BY MRS II u. STOWE

We were in disgrace, we boys, and the rea
.on Of it was this We had laughed out il
meet ting time To be sure the occ sion wa
irving one. even to more disciplined nerves
Pir.cn lothrop had exchanged pulpits witt
parson SummeIal, of North Wearem. Now
lhSon Summeral was man in the very out
set likely to provoke the rishles of unspirit
ualized juveniles He was a thin, wiry, frisk '
ljttle man. in powdered white wig black
tights and silk stockings with bright knee
buckles and hoe-buckles, with round, dark
swapping eyes, and a curious, high, cracked,
sQueaking voice. the very first tones of which
made all the children stare and giggle The
news that Parson Sunmeral was going to
preach in our village, spread abroad among
rs as prelude TO something funny. 1t had
flavor like the charm of circus acting and
ol the SUNDAY morning of our story we went
TO the house OF God in very hilarious state
all ready to set off in a laugh on the slightest
provocation.
The occasion was not long wanting. Par
son Lothrop had a favorte dog yclept Trip
whose behavior in meeting was notoriouslv
Tar from that elifying pattern which hetits
minister's dog on Sundays, Trip was a
nervous dog and dog that never could he
taught to conceal his emotions or to respect
conyentionalties | anything about the per-
tormance in the singers -cat did not please
him lie was apt to express himself in a lugu
hrious howl If the sermon was longer than
suitel him he would cape with such loud
crea. Of his Jaws as would arouse everybody S
attention. If the flies disturbed his after
noon nap he would give sudden snarls or
snaps or if anything troubled his dreams he
V.uli bark out in his sleep in u manner not
only to dispe his own slumbers, but those OF
certain worthy deacons and old ladies, whose
sanctuary rcpoSe was thereby sore.y broken
and troubled. For all these reasons Madam
Lothrop had been forced as general thing to
deny Trip the usua. sanctuary privileges OF
good family dogs in that age and shut him
up on Sundays to private meditation. Trip,
of course. was only the more set on attend
ance, and would hide behind doors, lump out
of windows, sneak through byways and
alley. an lie hid till the second bell had
done tOlling, when suddenly he would appear
IN the broad aisle, innocent and happy, and
take his seat as composedly as any member OF
the congregation
Imagine us Youngsters on the ga UiH With
excitement al seeing Parson Summera trisk
mp into the pulpit with all the vivacity OF
black srasshopper We looked at each other
aud giggIed very cautiously, with due respect
to Aunt Lois sharp observation
Al first there was only mild, quiet sim
mering of a giggle compressed decorouslv
within the bounds OF propriety, and we pursed
opr muscles up with stringent resolution
whenever we caught the apprehensve eye of
our elders.
But when directly after the closing notes
OF the tolling front bell Master Trip walked
gravely up the centre aisle, and seating him-
self squarely in front of the pulpit raised his
most with critical air towards the sceue of
the forthcoming performance il was toe much
Tor ns-the repression was almost convulsve
Trip wore an alert, attentive ear, hetittiug a
sound. orthodox dog, who smelsa possibility
Of heresy and deems it his duty to watch the
icIfOfmanoes narrowly.
Evidently he felt called upon to see who
and what were to occupy the pulpit in his
master $ absence
Ur rose Parson Summeral, and up went
Trips nose vibrating with intense attention.
The parson began in his high cracked voice,
to intone the hymn
"Sing to the Lord aloud
when Trip broke into dismal howl
The parson went on to give direct ons to
the deacon in the same voice in which he
had been reading, So that the whole effect of
the performance was as follows =:
"a. Sing to the Lord aloud "
d" Please to tuln ont that dog
''' And make joyful noise.
The dog was turned out. and the choir did
their best to make JOYFUL noise, but we
boys were upset for the day, delivered over to
the temptations of Satan. ana plunged in
waves and lillows Of hysterical gigpie. {. ON
which neither winks nor frowns from Aunt
I tI -t,,1 f.a, r,.f hu bt,atf ma
nor the comforting bits of fenne and orange
peel passed us by grandmother, could recover
everybody telt To he sure that here was a
trial that called for some indulgence. Hard
faces even among the stoniest saints, betray-
ed a transient culver Of the risible muscles,
Old ladies' put mp their fans. youths and maid
ems IN the singers seat laughed outright, and
.ar the moment "A general snickei among the
Children was pardoned But ! was one OF
tuat luckless kind whose nerves. once set IN
vibration could not be composed. When
The reign of gravity and decorum had re-
TUNED, Harry and | sat by each other, shak-
Ing with suppressed laughter. Everything III
the subsequent exercises took funny turn
and in the long PRAYER when everybody else
was still and decorous, the whole scene CAME
over me with such overpowerinp force that /
exploded with laughter and had to he taken
GU OF meeting and marched home by Aunt
Lois. as a convicted criminal. What especial
!, moved her Indignation was the more she
rebuked snd upbraided the more laughed.
Til the tears rolled down my checks. Which
Apf Lois construed into willfnl dsrespect to
her authority, and resented accordingly.
BY Sunday evening, as we gathered around
the fire. the reaction from undue gayety tc
gpbrilty bad takau rlace and We were in q
pen-ive and penitent state Grandmother
was gracious and forgiving bnt Aunt Loi'
still preserved that frosty air of reprobation
which she held to te n salutary means Of
luickening our consciences for the future. II
was, therefore. with unusual delight that We
saw our friend Sam come in and sit himself
quietly down on the block in the chimney
corner. With Sam we felt assured OF indul