The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1873-11-22
dait and Aamor.
The Joking Clergyman.

Rev. DR.. Byles was the most original
compound Of religion aud mirth, conspicu-
Gus in the latter part Of the last century in
New England. With good heart, a
mind Of stable principles, and a decent
reverence for his holy Office, he neyerthe-
less possessed buoyant and genial aow
Of spirits, constantly running over with
puns or witty conceits. He maintained
his connection with the Hollis street church
for fOrty-three years He was hale yet
aged man when the Revolutionary war
began, and in his political predictions
leaned towards the royal side.
In May, l777, it was deemed necessary
to arrest him as Tory. He was con-
demned to be placed on board a guard
ship and sent to England. Subsequently
the sentence was changed to confinement
in bis house. A sentinel was kept before
his door day and night, whom he was wont
to call his observatory. At the last, the
vigilance Of the board Of war relaxed, and
the sentinel disappeared after while he
was replaced, and after little removed
altogether The Doctor used pleasantly to
remark that he had been guarded, regard
ed and disregarded" Once the Doctor
tried to have the sentinel let him 90 after
some milk for his family but he was firm,
and would not he then argued the ease
with the honest but simple fellow, and
actually induced him to go after the milk
while he, the Doctor, kept guard over
himself! The neighbors were filed with
wonderment to see their pastor walking in
measured strides before his own door with
the sentinefs gun at his shoulder, and
when the story got abroad, it furnished
food for town gossip and merriment for
several days.
The Doctor had rather shrewish wife
SO one day he called at the old distillery
that used to stand on Lincoln street. and
aecosted the proprietor thus
ado you still?'
THAT is my business" replied Mr.
Hill, the proprietor
Well, then" said che Doctor, 81
should like to have you go and still my
wife"
He served rather an ungallant trick
upon this same good lady at another time.
He had some curiosities, which people oc.
casionally called to see. One day two
ladies called. Mrs. B. was ''in the suds, y
and begged her husband to shut her in a
closet while he exhibited his curiosities.
He did SO. After exhibiting everything
else he said, "Now, ladies, have reserved
my greatest curiosity to the last" and
opening the door he exhibited Mrs. B. 70
the ladies.
There was an unseemly aslough Of
despond" before his door, in the shape Of
a quagmire, which he had repeatedly urged
the town authorities to remove. At last
two of the town officers in a carriage got
fairly stuck in it. They whipped the
horse, they hawed and geed, but they could
not get out DR. Bylcs saw them from his
window. He stepped out in the street.
II am delighted, gentlemen" ," said he rub
bind his hands with glee, ''to see you
stirring IA this matter at lastI' The sore
in the ground was healed soon after.
Going along the street one day he found
himself in great crowd near the old
North Church.
"What is the natter" inquired he Of a
bystander.
"Why, sir, there is man going to fly
from the steeple."
"Poh poh~ said he, ''do you oil come
here to see man fly? Why, Ihave seen
n horse-fy."
A learned lady of Boston despatched a
note to him on the Great Dark Day, MAY
ls,l7sO,) in the following style:
"Dear Doctor,-How do you account
for this darknesss' His reply was
"Dear Madam,--I am as much IN The
dark as you arer
Reader, study now, to have hcalthful
old age, and then, if good, you can afford
TO be mirthful, like the brave old Dominic.