Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1874-05-01

the Rockrest depot, with cordial wei!
come and invitation to make his house his
home during his stAyin the village.
He was Q pleasant spoken, easy man.
nered man, with that unmistakable air Of
self confidence so natural to one who has.
by his own shrewdness and energy, forced
his way into position where other men
looked up to him, until he naturally learns
to look up to himself, and to consider him.
self an authority not to be disputed on all
matters, secular or religious, that he
honcrs with his attention.
Like many another well meaning but
unrefned person, Mr.. Blodgett was pro-
fuse with his compliments upon the talent,
"smartness" he called it. of his compan-
ion. whom he had listened to at denomi-
national convention some few weeks be-
fore, and whom, he then there. as he now
unreservedly declared, "made up his mind
was Just the man for Rockrest."
The Baptist preacher here, is a poor,
worn out old hack" he remarked irrever-
emily, "and the Methodist is nothing but
smooth-faced boy that can't read a hymn
without blushing. By George y he added
warming up with his subject, and giving
the nigh horse q smart tap with his whip
ny way Vi eLupHosiS, A<Se no o..Sc S,S' ""
into our pulpit. and in months time, III
bet nv Crews against that old cart horse
overthe way, we'll have our church crowd
ed with the droppers-off from theirs
Mr.. Bryce tried to express his disappro-
baton Of this prosslyting spirit, but his
host interrupted him with good natured
laugh and a knowing wink.
'"Oh yes, yes understand all about
Al - L,,A, lcx~r ,1,tx-
LEGGED to speak the truth, you know. Ha
ha! ha!
Mr.. Bryce was silent, more from dis
gust than policy.
Nor was it much better when once fair
~ installed in the bosom of the Blodgett
family. Flattered and feared by Mrs B.
and the girls, who found it no arduous du-
ty to entertain and amuse the handsome
young man, whose natural courtlincss.
tinged by quiet reserve, both tlattered
and piqued their feminine vanity he found
no time for the solitary hours of thought
and prayer that formed the usual prepare
ton for the Sabbath, while in Miss Ella s
lively gossip. and her sisters more lively
music, there was nothing either restiul or
strengthening for the duties of the NOR
row.
1t was in the midst OF rafting gallo.
pade that the host, noticing look which
:he mistook for one of bodily WEAKNESS up
on his guests face, interrupted his daugh-
ser's playing with:
s"There Cad, you've played long enough
for this time. Mr.. Bryce is tired and
wants 10 go to bed; so bring the big Bible
along, and wei have the customary be-
fore we turn in"
The young lady obeyed, and as the min
lister turned over the satin smooth gilt
edged leavesof the sacred volume, whose
elegant immaculateness stamped it as q
parlor ornament merely, his heart sunk
heavily in his bosom as he remembered
that to this man he was indebted for his
present prospects, and his pride as a man
no less than his conscience as Christian
cried out Indignantly against the humilia-
ton and hypocrisy of catering to the opin-
ions and tastes of one essentially gross
and worldly in heart and life.
TCONTINuED TOMORROW,