Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1874-02-18
A MIDNIGHT MEETING.

A MIDNIGHT MEETING.
| always did think my brother Solomon
a little hard on me, though | confess there
was reason for it. Mine were not his ways
exactly, you see for mine were more the
ways of pleasantness and his the paths Of
peace.
But could help it that was not born a
parson. like Solomon? Everybody isn't
born parson. Indeed, don't find that,
as a rule, it runs much in families and
even if it did, you couldn't expect that two
such parsons as Solomon could be born and
reared in the bosom of one homestead.
A long time ago, when we were boys to-
gether in tight blue jackets, with gilt but
tons and deep frilled collars, [ used to try
with all my might and main to initiate Solo
mon, and when we were exhibited in
society [ always echoed verbatim every re-
mark I heard him make so that [ might
share his fame. But that was, as [ said,
long ago, and gradually such close following
IN Solomons steps grew tedious, so [ chose
a wider way. | was warned a great deal
against this wider way, but somehow |
lounged easily into it when | found how
difficult it was to be always as good as Sol
ONION.
After any particularly jovial evening at
the Squirrels or 10 Fleming's at Blagly (the
Squire bred the best fighting cocks In the
country except JOS, and JOS whiskey was
the primest that ever ESCAPED duty), you
NAV guess that my heart didn't bound with
ioy at the sight of Solomon's long figure and
long face still, on ordinary occasions, Solo
mon and | were good friends, and l looked
forw I'd to the day when he should convert
me to his own ways, and we should read the
book of sermons aloud by turus through our
old age But then knew there was plenty
of time for that
Well we had marked the fight of the sea-
aon, ard had backed JOS bird heavily.
The lit,Ae ,,1fair was to come off on Sunday
were SO excited 10 and I and our chums,
and the Squire and his chums) that we spent
every evening together, discussing our birds
and our pets, not to mention the disp atch-
ing of good deal of the Squirrels home
brewed, and of my old port, and of JOS
Scotch. You see we didn't read so much in
those days as you do now, and so spent
more time over these lighter duties We
didn't talk much either One of Solomon 8
sermons divided among us would have last
ed us all for week; but we smoked-well,
pretty steadily.
The Sunday came at last, and in the
morning sat In my corner of Solomon 8
pew, paying the greatest attention to him !;
for wouldn't for the world he should know
where was going in the afternoon, or that
| had the slightest interest in JOS bird or
the Squire's. What was my horror, then,
when Solomon, in the very middle of his
discourse 4 always knew it was in the mid
die when he began TO say s'lastly' y, alluded
darkly to ''besetting sin of the age" as a
sport at which only Satan could laugh.
And he," concluded Solomon, and I felt
his eye upon me, "chuckles with glee to see
men so degrade themselves." [ broke out
into damp heat. Could any one have
turned traitor and told Solomon? I kept
my eyes down upon the carp t, and tired to
make a resolution that this should be my
last cock-fght; but somehow the resolution
jumbled itself up with speculations as to
how he Squire should feel when pocketed
my 800 winnings
81 should certainly buy that colt of JOS !;
and now think of it, may as we'll get
Solomon an umbrella. dare say he didn't
mean anything about cock-fghting after all.
He always had whims for attacking our
sports, and of course that innocent diversion
must take its turn, like bowls and billiards."
had dotted his gown and joined me in the
church-yard, and [ only said amiably, you
were rather hard upon US all to-day, as
usual, Sol'
"Was [ ?'' he questioned in his slow way.
Hard or soft, it does but little good, ia
cob
| turned the conversation gingerly. I
could not prove his words to be untrue, and
it wouldn't be polite if I did-so didn't
"Good-bye, Sol,n said with great re-
Lief, when we reached the parsonage gate
Shall see you at the service this even
ing 2" was Solomon's most unfortunate in
quiry, as he slowly removed his umbrella to
his left hand, preparatory to giving me his
right - ~
g. hope SO, but | cannot say I am quite
sure" | answered in that way for the pur
pose of breaking it to him as gently as
could. | knew Solomon felt this sort of
thing as sharply as [ felt razor scratch in
shaving. So put In that way that hoped
SO, but could not say that was quite sure.
I'm sorry you are not sure, jacob said
he, should have liked to have seen you
at church tonight. don't feel very well
to-day, so will you come in now and stay
the afternoon with me ~
g wish could, SOL said l as jauntily
as possible, I" but the fact is I've promised
an old friend at Luckheaton Luckheaton
lay IN the direction exactly opposite to
Blagly) ito go over and have quiet chat
with him. He is not able to 60 much about
himselfn
L suppose Solomon was shaking hands in
his ordinary manner, but his long fingers
seemed TO me to have tied themselves about
mine to hold me back
You want new umbrella, SOL" re-
marked |, neatly preparing the way as /
thought, turning the conversation with
tact !