The Placer herald., 1874-03-14

large piece, and remarking that Washington
beats the world for cherry stones.
| 81 think III try small piece very small
piece Of the chicken pie, answered the Rev.
Mr.. Oilyjohn, with captivating smile.
81 beg your pardon, did you say oyster p
almost rudely. If oH
Mrs. Brownsmiih, Etzrobinson's mother
BY marriage, whispered in the reverend
genttesuan's ear that FitHobinson was a
little deaf n ail .st.....l
"Ah!" he calculated, chow uufortunater p
and It the top of bis voice. to Fitzrobinson
81 said chicken" -,.t
Il wonder who that can be making such
a racket?" observed Ftzrobinaon, sarcastic
ally, to his wife, pretending to listen, and
thinking fercely all the while; 81 reckon
the bla ned old chicken slayer thinks am
deaf and dumb wish wac blind, too, !"
Fitzrobinson thought in bis desperation.
While Ftz: obinson was helping the Rev.
Mr.. Oiyjohn, that gentleman enquired, in
low tone, of Mrs. BrownsmitL, "Has he
given lis heart to Jesus?" referring to Fitz-
robinson. .4l -IIft@ f...
Mrs. Brownsmith was forced to admit
she feared he hadn't, as she recalled the
cycle of nights she had shiveringly admitted
him at two and even four in the morning
IN. B.-Fitzrobnson is jolly old dog, and
belongs to chapter that meets FIVE or six
nights in the week.
Fitzrobnson surveyed the situation, and
mentally calculated bis chances. "Only
two pieces left, he ruminated mourfully.
Then he looked, ruefnlly, at the two re-
naming guests. eff they amt got chicken
pie unmistakably written all over their fea-
lures, I'm 40 judge of human nature" was
his muttered conclusion. The Rev. M.
Ives was the next guest. Fitzrobinson felt
he woald willingly part with the last piece
of chick -n-pie if he could only slip button,
or something, into it. to avenge the wrongs
he had suffered at his hands on dedication
night Fitzrobinson was too mad to trust
himself to say much. so be merely pointed
to the oyster-pie, saying, in whitening
manner:
"Oyster ?"
lord bless your soul! No, brother;
c icken by all means" replied the Rev. Mr..
Ives, fervently. "Sster Fitzrobinson's
chcken-pie is too famous to"
''Peleg, dearest, brother Ives raid he
would take chicken-pie," interrupted Mrs.
F., seeing Fitzrobinson was about to load
the reverend gentleman's plate with oyster
pie. Fitzrobinson paid not the slightest at
ten'ion to her, pretending rot to hear. He
was playing desperate game. The Rev.
Mr.. Onyjohn, taking in the situation, came
to the front As he was sitting near Fitz-
robinson, he shouted, on high key, at the
host
"Brotber Ives said chicken pie!"
Oh the look that Fitzrobil son gave that
mani I'm sure it would have withered
bronze statue Ct the ndomitable jackson.
He was driven to the wall, however, and
doggedly p' rted with the last but one
Now for the last chance. 1t was evident
that the deaf dodge was failure. What
forlorn hope should he try? Alas What =?
No one can ever know the vicious resolves
he made in his heart as lie contemplated the
last piece of chicken-pie 1t is not enough
that they should peon him to the church for
life, but now they must needs taking the
last loaf in the house, so to speak, in the
Lord He'd see who was master in that
house. He inwardly swore he would stand
it no longer He was thoroughly reused.
He fairly hissed at the Rev. Mr. Ferguson,
who was reciting to Mrs. Brownsmith a
thrilling tale of his experience, which began
81 remember, some 20 years ago, ETC."
eff don't think you'll take cbcken-pie,
too, hope | may be d"
"Peleg," warned Mrs. F.
"Mr Fitzrobinson p groaned Mrs.
Brownsmith in the same breath.
"Yes do, and don't care who knows
it-no, don't"
Fiizrobnson stood in threatening atti-
tude, with uplifted carving knife, as though
about to brain the Rev. Mr.. Ferguson.
"Say it," be thundered at the gentleman,
as though the saying of it was to be the
signal for the fray. CONSERVATION sat upon
the Methodist brow. Silence reigned for
time The spirit of chicken-pie was striving
with the Rev. Mr.. Ferguson. He cried in
loud voice, "Amenl''
Fitzrobinson understood this to be a con-
frmation to bis suspicion that the reverend
gentleman would lake chicken-pie, and be
understood Alright. Up to this Fitzrobinson
had been brave, but now be broke down
completely. He spooned out the last piece
Of his favorite Wand, and withdrew in 81
lence. He went out and borrowed ten dol
lars from Belden acrose the way, and hurried
down Ninth Street. About six o'clock in
the evening he might have been seen con-
6dentially imparting his plans for the con-
quest of his own household to a tobacco
sign on Seventh Street. Later. he appeared
at the church, where be had been the object
of many earnest prayers that night. lmag-
iue, then, the joy of that congregation when
he made his way to the altar. weeping like
child. "Our prayers have been answered! +!
shouted DR.. Ives, ardently. "Ob, brother.
we lovingly welcome thee to our midst,
sobbed brother Ferguson. tearfully. Broth
er Little rubbed bis hands. and seemed too
full for utterance. Brother Langly advanced
to embrace the contrite Fi.zrobinson, who
leceived him with open arms, and fell upon
b;s breast-no. "pitcbed" is the better word