Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1872-10-03

We were in disgrace. We boys. and
the reason OF it was this: wa had
laughed out in meeting time 10 be
sure. the occasion was trying one'
even to more disciplined nerves Par
son Lothrop had exchanged pulpits
with Parson Nammeral Of North Wear
ON. Now par>on >ummcral was q
man in the very outset likely 10 pro-
woke the ri-ihies Of un,piritualizci iu-
veniles. He was a thin. wiry. frisky lit
tie man. in powdered white wiz. black
tights and silk stockings. with bright
knee buckles and shoe buckles. with
round. dark, swapping eyes and Gu
rious. high, cracked, squcaking voice,
the very first tones Of which male all
children stare and giggle. The news
that Parson Summeral was going to
preach in our village spread abroad
among Us as a prelude to something
funny. 1t had 4 flavor Ike the charm
OF circus acting and on Sunday morn
ing of our story, we went TO the house
Of God in very hilarious state, al
ready to be set oif into laugh on the
slightest provocation.
The occasion was not long wanting.
Parson Lothrop had a favorite dog
yclept Trip, whose behaving in meet
ing was VIGOROUSLY far from that edi-
fying pattern which BELTS a minister's
dog on Sundays. Trip was a nervous
dog, and dog that could never be
taught to conceal his emotions OF 10
respect conventionalities. If anything
about the performance in the singers
seat did not please him. he was apt to
express himself in lugubrious howl.
If the sermon was longer than suited
him he would cape with such loud
creak Of his jaws rs would arouse
everybody's attention If the flies dis
turbed his afternoons nap. he would
give sudden snarls or snaps ; OF if any
thing troubled his dreams, ne would
bark out in his sleep in manner not
only to dispel his own slumbers. but
those of certain worthy deacons and
old ladies, whose sanctuary repose was
thereby sorely broken and troubled.
For all these reasons, Madam Lothrop
had been forced as a general thing, TO
deny Trip the usual sanctuary privi-
lege of good family dogs in that age,
and shut him up on sundays to pri-
vate meditation. Trip, of course was
only the more set on attendace. and
would hide behind doors, jump out Of
windows, sneak through by-wavs and
alleys. and lie hid till the the second
bell mad 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 qui
vive with excitement. at seeing Par
son Summeral frisk up into the pulpit
with all the viyacitv Of black grass
hopper. We looked at each other and
giggled very cautiously, with due re-
spect to Aunt Lois sharp observation.
At first, there was only mild, quiet
simmering of giggle, compressed de-
corously within the bounds of proprie-
| ty, and we pursed our muscles up with
stringent resolution, whenever we
caught the apprehensive eye Of our ell
ders.
But when directly after the closing
notes of the tolling second bell. Mas
ter Trip walked gravely up the iron
aisle, and, seating himself squarely in
front of the pulpit, raised his nose with
critical air toward the scene of the
forthcoming performance. 1t was too
much for us-the repression was al
most convulsive. Trip wore an alert,
atte ntive air, befitting sound, ortho'
dox dog, who smells possible heresy
and deems it his duty to watch the pro