The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1876-01-29

stranger, not TO Mr.. Bcecher, but as II In So
lioquy.
Do you reside In Brooklyn, sir2" persisted
the pastor.
How beautifully IL the intellectual balanced
by the animal !" went on the stranger, still in
soliloquy
81 should be pleased to call upon you, MIR.
- p said Beecher
Ana should be happy TO serve you with le-
gal advice ~ any time. Terms reasonable and
business conducted with despatch and almost
insariable success, MIR. -2 Z" said Sherman,
handing his professional card to tho new
parishioner.
And tho massive, leoniue features" con
tinued the stranger, rubbing his hands with
Rlee. And the true pioty of the lines about
the lips and under the eyes. o, this Is a manly
fellow this Is rare game"
who the devil Is he p thought MFR. Beeoher,
but he did not say IL.
who the devil is he 2" thought Shearman
also.
Precisely, gentlemen, precisely ~ exclaimed
the stranger answering the thoughts that had
not been expressed In words.
Then tho stranger slowly unbuttoned his
ulster and stood up, leaving the overcoat fast
ened to the bench by the willy shearmans two
screws. Then he tapped the noor ttiumphantly
with his coven foot ami whisked about tail
nearly as long as Mr.. Evartss speech Then he
took OF his queer shaped skull cap and revealed
two horns "a appalling to Mr.. Beecher as the horns
OF his own dilemma. Then he smiled serenely
upon the astonished pastor and tho confounded
weeper.
"Gentlemen," began the no longer nameless
parishioner, at II a long time since have been
a regular attendant before at church and prayer
meetings. haven't exactly liked the style OF
pulpit talk. you know, and Martin Luther aud
md I al oh
ton have used me pretty roughly in their time.
Hut since I read the report OF the Great rrial In
the Tttbune-a paper, by the way, which have
perused with infinite pleasure ever since jay
Gould bought it, have taken a strong fancy to
you, Mr.. Beecher, and to the Plymouth style Of
religion. You are manly fellow, sir man
after my own heart, air. Your adultery was a
nne stroke, an artistic stroke, egad. I can't
show anything prettier on my books. Your per-
jury, too, was delicious. Couldn't have done
better on the witness stand myself. l assure
you IL made great sensation in hell. It revived
interest there In church matters to an amazing
degree. In fact, Mr.. Beecher, we got up a little
church of our own aud voted unanimously to
give you a call. No UNCONVENTIONAL connec-
tons; work light and agreeable total free
dom In your personal relations no iliberal the
ology TO hamper you climate warm, and salary
$4,000 every year. I've nxed up a nice little
parsonage tunmortgaged) for you In the cellar I'M
der the bottomless pitt" And the devil stood
patiently awaiting an answer, and scratching his
left ear with the sharp end OF his tail.
But" cried Mr.. Dsecher, this Is very sud
deni This Is very
Gomez said the delegate from below, In a
louder and more authoritative tone. The
leOnine facs was very sheepllke now.
Brother Sherman threw up window sash,
jumped out, and rushed away In brsathless
haste.
81 am afraid must Decline, said Mr.. Beeoher.
81 fear the climate isn't good for the hay
fever"
"Come" shouted the devil third time.
You i"isht well try to row up Niagara In a
peanut shell as to pull against my wishes"
Meanwhile Shearman had returned, aud was
1ourishing documents under the DEVILS nose.
Hold onl" yelled the lawyer, you mustn't
take him. I've got an injunction here"
mot good" said Satan. your courts have
no jurisdiction in my cases."
And I've got quo warranto writ" con-
tinued Sherman, waving q second document.
"No jurisdiction, l repeat" said the devil,
calmly. II assure you, upon my professional
honor, your quo warranto won't hold water.
Come Henry Ward Beecher."
"'rhen take me tool exclaimed the highly
pious lawyer, his eyes trimming with brine.
"You will not part me from my pastor7 l love
him better than auRht OF earth beside. Better
than my own wife-yea, than many wives.
Whittier he goest there eoest also. Take me
along with Henry Ward Beecherl'
pardon me-" said the devil politely, but
nrmly. ~ mean no offence for l regard you as
very valuable person-on earth. But you are
altogether too watery for our latitude.
wouldn't have you In hell at any price You
could put out all my fires with half an eve.
| Really, now, you'll have to excuse me for the
present by and by you will be better prepared"
" Take mel take mel" pleaded Snearman,
| bursting into tears "You take Henry Ward
Beecher, why not take me Z"
Excuse me-, said the devil again, with low
bow and sardonic grin. "You remember
what Sir Joseph Banks remarked just after his
| famous experiment with the HOLSTERS and heas
| in the kettler'
"No;' said Shearman, "What was IT."
"'Fleas are not Holsters, d-n their souls ="
| whispered the devil in a low, sweet voice, as no
vanished In cloud OF sulphurous smoke with
Henry Ward Beecher under his arm.