Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1874-01-10
A MIDNIGHT MEETING.
nv xARY eEcrr HAY. IN THE "AEsOsr.'

no reason for 10. Mine were not exactly hi
ways YOU see, for mine were not the ways
pIeasantness and his the paths Of peace.
But could help IL that was not born par
son. like solomon? Everybody isn't born
laTsOn. indeed, don't find that, as rule, it
runs much in families; and even If it did, you
could'ut expect that twOsuch parsons as solomon
cOuld lie born and reared in the bosom of one
homestead
\ long while ago, when we were boys together
IN tight bre jackets, with gilt buttons and
deep fIilled collars, | used TO try with all my
nj ht to initiate Solomon, and when We were
exhibited in society always echoed verbatim
every remark heard him make 20 that might
share has fame. But that was, as I said, long
ago. and gradually such close following in Solo
mons steps grew tedious. 50 chose a wider
way. was warned great deal against this
wiJer way, but somehow lOunged easily into
IL when found how ditticult IL was 10 be Away,
After any particularly jovial evening at the
Squire's OF at Io Fleming's at Blagly (the
Squire bred the best fighting cocks in the coun-
try except JOS and JOS whisky was the primest
that ever escaped duty, you may guess that my
heart didn't bound with JOY At the sight of Solo
mons long figure and long face; still, on ordI-
nary occasions, Solomon and l were good
friends, and looked forward to the day when
he should convert me TO his own ways, and we
should read the book of sermons along by turns
through our Old age. Bat then knew there
was plenty OF time for that.
Well, we had marked the night OF the season,
and backed JOS bird heavily. The little affair
was to come of on Sunday afternoon, and for
all the week before we were so excited (JO and
and our chUms and the Squire and his chums,l
that we spent every evening together, discuss
ing our birds and our BETS not TO mention the
dispatching of a good deal of the Sgure's home
brewed, and of my old port aud OF JOS Scotch
You see we didn't read so much in those days
as you do now, and so spent more time over
those lighter duties. We didn't talk very much
ether-One Of Solomon sermons divided among
us would have lasted us for week; but We
smOked-weN. pretty steadily.
The Sunday came at last, and in the morning
] sat in my corner of Solomon pew, paving the
greatest attention TO him; for ] wouldn't for
-. w1Hga
in the afternoon, or that had the slightest in
teTest in either Jos bird or the Sguires. What
was my horror then when Solomon in the very
middle OF his discourse II always knew Il was
the middle when Ne began TO say "lastly,') al
iUded darkly 20 a ''bsSetting sin of the age as
sort Which only Satan could laugh. And
he concluded solomon, and ! felt his eye
upon me, "cEuCEles With glee to see men 50 de-
grade themselves" J broke out into a damp
heat. Could any one have turned traitor and
told solomon i kept NV ewes down mon me
carpet and tried TO make resolution that this
should be my last cOckhght, but somehow the
resOiUfion Iurnblsd itself up with speculatiOns as
to how the Squire would feel tonight when he
was beaten, and how ] should feel when ]
POcketed my ~lJ0 winnings.
IL shau certainly buy that colt of JOS and
now 1 think Of 10, may as well get solomon
new umbrella daresay he didn't mean any
thing about coektghting after all He always
had wbIms Tor attacking our sports, and OF
course that Innocent diversion must take its
turn, like bowls and billiards"
had forgiven solomon by the time he had
dotted his long gown and joined me in the
church-yard, and only said, am ably, "YOu
were rather hard upon u all to-day usual,
Sol
.'was Ia' he questioned, ia his slow WAY
s'Hard OF soft, it does but little gOoi. jacob"
turned the conversation gingerly. could
not easily prove his wOris untrue, auI il
wouldn't be polite il did-sO dida't.
"Good-by, Sol, said with great relief, when
we reached the parsonage gate.
''Shall see yOu al service this evening was
SOlOmon's most unfortunate inquiry, a. he slow
ly removed his umbrella to his left hand pre-
ParatOTy to giving me his right.
81 hope ., but ] Cannot say ! gqjis
sure lansweTed in that WAY Tor the purpose
Of breaking il 70 him a. gently as could.
knew solomon felt this sort Ofthing as sharply
as felt a razor scratch in shaving, SO put II
that way, that hgl ed 30, but could not say that
was quite sure.
said he; 81 should like very much TO see you at
church to- night. 1 don't feel very well to-day,
20 will YOU come in now and stay with me-"
81 wish could, Sol" said 1 as jauntily as
possible. 'but the fact is I've promised an old
friend at Luekheaton" (LuckheatOn lay in the
direction exactly opposite to Blagly) to go over
and have a quiet chat with him. He is not able
To 90 about much himself"
IsuppOse 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" remarked /,
neatly pre- pasing the way for the gift had in
store for him; and, as 1 thought, turning the
conversation with consummate tact.
"D0 >" asked solomon, looking down upon
4
his life. 'We both of US want a good many
new things Jacob new habits, new aims,
new"
"Ah!yes, indeed we do, sighed /, cheerfully,
a. felt the grip of his fingers relaxing. "You
are looking all right, I'm glad to see. Don't
go and fancy yourself ailing, Sol, it's woman
1sh trick, and not at ali like you"
"NO, am not fanciful," he said tuckinv his
book tenderly under his long arm. '.Goodoby,
tnen, Jacob, ! shall see you again some time
Awkward, that query at the end, bit |
nodded yes TO him just as II had known. Let
me see-where was 4? Well, solomon and 1
parted very good friends. He looked back at me
me with smile as waited; and afterward 1
looked back at him-with a imle too, Tor at the
moment turned, branch OF his old pear tree
caught his hat (which he always wore at the
back of his head) and kept it; and he walked on
to the parsonage door without an idea that his
head was bare ] hurried on cheerfuiIy then
feeling pretty sure was safe. solomon would
be in his study ali the afternoon, and in his pull
pit most OF tie evening. Then he would drink
his cup OF strong tea, and sleep the sleep of
paIson till morning, with his lattice window
wide open, and sal are Of the night sky exact
~ before his eyes.
MY sleep IL calm" he used to say, 'sif my
last look has been on heaven"
And calm believe it Away was, though his
bed was narrow and short, and he-thOugh mar
row too, was long. Sol never could be induced
TO spend on himself any money which he could
spare to give away, and 30 he persisted in use
ing still the bed he had had as a bow. As for
mine, had been glad enough TO discard it for q
better.
Well, we had rare sport on that sunday after
noon, and our bird came of the winner, though
the Squire's was a. plucky a little cock as ever
got beaten There be lay when the tussle was
over, with his comb up and his mouth little
open, as If he was only taking in breath for a
fresh attack, yet as dead a. If he were roasted
with stuffDg.
10 gave Us q supper after the fight; then We
dispatched a bottle OF port apiece over settling
our bets; then we gave our minds 70 pleasure.
and enjoyed a good brew of JOS punch, and the
Squire. though he had been beaten, was one of
the cheerfulest of US all.
As il was Sunday we determined TO separate
in good time; 80 when IL got toward IL, We set
out, while 10 stood in his lighted doorwsy
shouting hearty good nights after Us. | had
waited to make an appointment with him tor
the next day, that we might conclude the bar
gain for the colt, 90 was little behind the
others in starting.
take care OF yourself called 10, you have
the most money and the furtherest TO 90. Mind
The notes. Five txenties. and I've copied the
numbers that we may be safe. Tell the Squire
30. he wsylays you in the dark"
This was JOS parting joke, and when l an
sseIed II gave kindly touch to my pocket