Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1874-09-10
The Sturp Teller.
MARRYING THE MINISTER.
BY PRENTISS.

households connected with the society; ana
before Sunday came, it was generally known
throughout the parish that the minister con.
templated getting married. Now, it is we'll
known that there is no event in Il parish that
makes more of sensation, and gives more
occasion for talk, than the marriage Of the
minister; and as a natural consequence there
were many out to meeting, for the people
wanted to see how the minister looked, as well
as to hear the most recent news. The report
that Miss Terry started in regard to the names
of Mrs. Burton and Miss May, in connection
with the minister, had travelled with great rap
idity, and in its travels had assumed WON
drous proportions. 1t was something like the
"three black crows" for its complexion had
changed wonderfully since it was started out
on its msson-only three days before the
Sabbath. In fact, it was currently reported
by different parties that both Mrs. Burton
and Miss May were engaged to the minister.
Somewhere the report that Miss Terry had
started became slightly changed so that it was
inferred, or understood, that Mrs. Burton was
engaged to Mr.. Emery, and at another point
that Miss May was the happy party who was
soon to settle in the parsonage. And thus
these different rumors, starting from slight al
lusions to these ladies' names, had become
formidable and decisive in character. At the
close of the church service, quite number
remained waiting about the door of the church,
as is usual, for the purpose Of exchanging
congratulations with friends, as we'll as to get
the news. Mr. Emery had hardly reached
the street, before he was addressed by one of
his parishioners-an intimate friend.
"Rather sudden news, parson but still |
am glad to hear it. Let me congratulate you
upon your choice said the friend, graspiDg
the minister warmly by the hand.
"Upon my choice! am sure Mr.. Noyes, I
have not the remotest idea to what you al
lude," said the minister, with some considera-
BILE surprise.
"Don't know what mean? Well, that is
strange. Why, | heard that you were en-
gagged to Mrs. Burton
Engaged to Mrs Burton Why, this is
the first intimaton I have had upon the SUBJ
ject," said the parson, surprise and astonish-
ment being depicted upon his countenance.
"Why, this is strange" said Mr.. Noyes.
"Why, I heard it last evening, and presumed
that it was true You will please excuse me
for speaking of it. know that Mrs. Burton
is fine woman, and was quite pleased to hear
it. But good-day p and Mr. Noyes, as he
had reached his house, left the minister.
Mr.. Emery felt extremely embarrassed to
find such report was in circulation-that he
was engaged to be married-and he wondered
how it could have come about. He had in
fact, never called upon the lady; he had met
her, and that was all.
II have it" he exclaimed aloud. II guess
~ ho1, lool
for me, and they have suggested this lady,
and their suggestion that she would make me
good wife has magni6ed until it has become
an engagement"
Thus talking, the minister was nearing his
home. He had fully made up his mind how
the false report had come about, when Mr..
Stephens, his next neighbor, overlook him.
"Good-day, Mr.: Emery l was much
pleased with your sermon. 1t was quite prac-
tical, and pleased me-
"Thank you, Mr.. Stephens! Life is very
practical, and sermons ought to be-"
81 was very much surprised to hear that we
were about to lose you from our number" said
Mr.. Stephens, smiling.
"Lose me- DO not understand what you
mean ' said the minister, inquiringly.
Eyes, lose you from our circle of widowers
Being one of that number, [ am quite reluc
tant to lose my friends" said Mr.. Stephens,
laughing.
ooh, yes! | know what you mean now. |
heard Of it, for the first time, only few mo-
ments ago. Brother Noyes spoke to me about
it. l am sure cannot tell where the story
originated"
"You do not mean to say there is no truth
in the story?" said Mr.. Stephens, iuterrupting
the minister, and with some surprise
"Not particle Of truth. 1 was very much
surprised, and felt exceedingly sorry to hear
it-not so much on my own account as for the
lady, who certainly must feel extrelney y NOR
titled to know that such reports are being cir
cuated," said the minister, with great deal
Of feeling.
1T certainly is unpleasant Miss May is a
most excellent lady, and"
"Miss who?" asked the pastor, interrupting
his friend very suddenly.
"Why, Miss May. You certainly ought to
know the lady to whom they have you en-
gagged" said Mr.. Stephens, with considerable
surprise.
"Miss May! Well, this is too much. A
false rumor that 1 am to be married to one
lady is bad enough but two" said the min.
lister, talking to himself, II think this is too
much. Excuse me, Mr.. Stephens; but only
moment ago was engaged to Mrs. Burton,
Mr.. Noyes said, and now find I am also en-
gagged to Miss May. What shall do? I
see no other way of getting along than to enter
my house and barricadeit. It's shame that
such stories should be circulated, when there
is not the least foundation for such statements.
1t makes me feel very unpleasant, and l am
sure that my feelings upon the subject will be
triAing in comparison to the extreme embar-
rassment and modification these falsehoods
will occasion the ladies. But am at home.
Good-day, Mr. Stephens!" !" and the parson
went into his house in no pleasant or agreea-
bie frame of mind.
He began to think that the deacons were
about right for if this state of things was to
continue, he certainly would rather get mar
ried, or, better, leave the parish, even though
there was intimation Of increasing his salary.
Mr. Emery had prepared sermon for the af-
ternoon but he thought, under the peculiar
circumstances he would change his program
me, and he therefore selected sermon which
he had prepared some time before, but had
never delivered it. which he thought would be
appropriate for the occasion. The afternoon
usually, in the country and village churches,
brings out a much larger attendance than the
morning service. 1t was so at the Congrega
tional Church in D., and, in fact, it hap
pened to be the largest audience that the pas
tor had preached to for many months. The
announcement of the text, Proverbs, xii, IS,
"rhere is that speaketh like the piercings of a