Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1874-03-20
SaIes aopo ghetrbrs.
DIGBY'S REFORM CLUB.

HOW PAESON MEEKLY WAS "sHUT UP. "
There was quartette of free and joyial
spirits in BurvilIe. aud John Digby was
the acknowledged leader thereof. Peter
Slade and Tom Lowry and Sam Pepper
were his associates. They four were young
men, free-healted and generous, with
great capacity for enjoyment. On GER
tain Monday evening they were assembled
in the small parlor of Luston's tavern, for
the purpose of having a good time, as they
were won't to assemble often. The season
was winter, and !he beverage they were
indulging in was compound Of rum, su-
gar, milk and eggs, familiarly known
among the initiated as Tom anu jerry"
AT an early stage Of the wassail, before
sense had been submerged, Peter Slade
suggested that he had u complaint to make
against one Of the diguitares of the town,
and thereupon he opened his vialO Of de-
nunciation upon PaIson Mcekly, the old
clergyman Of the place.
AS near as can find out, he said, the
parson Just about the same as called US by
name, and held us up as q set of graceless
scamps.'
Not quite so bad as that said John
Digby. He did certainly allude TO US We
ry plainly; but the worst he brought
against US was that we were prostituting
noble powers and opportunities to base and
sinful purposes. Rather flattering,
thought, especially the noble powers
'Flattering with a vengeance growled
Tom Lowden. What business is it of
his 2
Aye chimed sam Pepper, what busi-
ness is it of his And then look at the
hullabaloo they're making over this TO-
reign mission business. 1t was in connec-
ton with that Parson Meekly attacked US.
They'd better look at home l think
we've suffering enough under our very
noses that had better be looked out first
That's So cried Slade. L say charity
begins at home. What do you say, Johu%
John Digby had listened attentively, and
during the conversation he had turned his
glass bottom upward upon the table.
There may be truth in what you say, he
slowly and thoughtfully replied ; but pcO-
pie who live in glass houses shouldn't
throw stones. We may object to furnish
ing our money for the foreign missions up
on the plea that charity begins at home,
and all that but the question may come
what have we done for this charity at
home What have we done towards ale
WAITING the distresses Of the poor Of our
thing in that direction--if we don't open
our hands in charity al all-what right
have we to say in what direction others
shall aim their good works 2
blank were the looks that greeted this
speech The trio Of listeners were taken
aback They hadn't expected this from
their leader.
Now look here, boys, continued John
Digby, pushing his inverted glass away to
the center of the table, and leaving it there,
Il don't like this overhauling that Parson
Meekly gave US, any better than you do,
and propose to shut him up
'Hi-yah = shouted Sam Pepper. That's
the talk. I'm with you
Are yoa sure you've got the courage,
Sam?'
Yes, sir! =
Count me in, said Tom.
And me, added Peter. Let's shut the
old fellow up. What's the programme,
Jack y
Well, answered Digby, slowly, Il have
planned that we will take the wind out OF
Parson Meekly's sails by establishing re-
form club of our own, and starting mis-
siouary society on the same basis.
'Eh ?
Look ye, boys, people besides the par
son are talking pretty hard about us. and
wen shut them all up in a lump--1'd like
to astOnish 'em. I'd like to hit back in
the most effective way. I'd like to make
'em take the back track here IN Burkville,
in their own business
His hearers were interested aud listened
eagerly.