The Opelousas journal. [volume] (Opelousas, La.) 1868-1878, 1875-02-19

was noticeable in Joe. On Sunday b
abiured the world, but on Monday b
made things uncomfortable for tn
Widow Macnilty, whose husband ha'
died in the debt of Tackey & Cater. /
customer bought some gingham, Of
Joe's assurance that the colors wer
fast, but the first wash-day failed t.
confirm Joe's statement. The proprieto
of the stage line between Bungfeld ant
Cleopas Valley traded horses with Joe
and was afterwards head mentioning
his new property in language far more
scriptural than proper.
Still, Joe was church member, anc
that was patent of responsibility. AND
as he gained years and building lots.
and horses, and commenced discountine
notes, his respectability grew and waxed
great in the minds of the practical peo
pie of Bungfeld. Even good women,
real mothers in Israel, could not help
thinking, as they sorrowed over the
sands in the bottoms of their coffee
cups, and grew wrathful at "runney''
-four bought for "a | Superfne" Of
Tackey & Gatter, that Joe would make
valuable husband. So thought some
of the young ladies of Bungfeld, and
as young ladies who can endure the idea
OF such man for a perpetual partner
can also signify their opinions, Joe be-
gan to comprehend that he was in active
demand. He regarded the matter as
he would sudden demand for any
commodity Of trade, and, by skillfully
manipulating the market, he was soon
enabled to choose from full supply.
Thenceforward Joe was as happy as a
man of his nature could be. All his in
vestments were paying we'll; the store
was prosperous, he was successful in
all his trading enterprises, he had pur-
chased, at fearful shaves, scores of per-
fectly good notes, he realized on loans
which would cause usury law to
shriyel and crack, his insurance policies
brought him fair dividends, and his
wife kept house with economy and
thrift. But the church-the church
seemed an unmitigated drag. Joe at
tended all the church meetings-deter-
mined to get the worth of the money he
was compelled to contribute to the cur.
rentexpenses-he had himself appointed
SO he could get the use Of the
church money, but the interest even at
the rate Joe generally obtained, did
not balance the amount of his contribu-
tion.
Joe worried over the matter until he
became very peevish, yet he came no
nearer business-like adjustment OF
receipts and expenditures. One day
when his venerable partner presented
him certificate of dividend from the
Patagonian Mutual, Joe remarked
Never got any dividends on that
other insurance you putme up to taking,
partner-that 'gainst fre-risks in the
next world, you know. Twill be tough
Il there's any mistake-church does
AXE sight of money"
"Joseph," said the Squire, in a sor-
:owful tone, "I've always been afeard
hey didn't look enough into your ev;-
iences when they took yon into that
,hurch. How can man expect to es-
,ape on the day of wrath if he's all the
lime grumbling at the cost of his saliva
ion? Mistake2 II you don't know in
7our heart the truth Of what you pro-
ess, there's mighty little hope for you,
,hurch Or no church.
"Know in my heart!" cried Joe.
That's rretsy kind of security. Is
hat what T have been paying church
lues for? Better have known il in my
leart in the first place, and saved the
money. What's the use of believing all
hose knotty points, il they don't make
sure thing for man ?"
"H your belief don't make you any
oetter or happier, Joseph, rtjoined the
squire, "you'd better look again and
ZEE il you've got good hold of it;
hose that's got clear title don't find
heir investment as slow in making re-
nrns, while those that find fault are
the ones thatmakea a mistake. =
Poor Joe He thought he had set
led this whole matter but now, if his
PARTNER was right, he was worse off than
T he hadn't begun. He believed in
justification BY faith now, wasn't his
aith stroug-frst class, he might say
70 be sure Of being safe, hadn't he be,
ieved every thing that all the ministers
lad insisted upon as essential And
vhat was faith, II it wasn't believing
lie would ask his partner the old man
lad got him into this scrape-noW he
must see him through.
Squire" said be. isn't faith the
anne thing as believing "
Well, said the Squire, adjusting his
tlasaes, and taking from his desk the
title Testament upon which he admin
stored oaths that depends on how you
'elieve. Here's verse On the subject
Thou believest in God thou dost
rell The devils also believe and trem.
lie. /"
Ughi Joe ahivered. He wasn't an