The New Bloomfield, Pa. times. (New Bloomfield, Pa.) 1877-188?, 1878-10-08
Testing their Christianity.
/" Full many q shaft at random sent. !.
Finds mark the archer little meant"

Il
i Irishman, he would have been amply
satisfied with his position as gardener
and hostler for Mark Harrington, Esq,
which yielded him good wages. But he
was stauncb Northern Vermonter, who
found 1t hard to realize there is wide
social distinction between the employer
and employee in the suburbs of New
York. To be considered an upper ser
want, and to be forced to eat in the
kitchen with Bridget Malone and Ann
McCarty chafed his pride terrible.
Every Sunday Hiram harnesseda pair
of superb black horses in a costly, soft
cushioned carriage, and drove the Har-
rington family to church. While they
were worshipping within he waited out
side or rode slowly around the streets to
pass away the time, but was always
promptly back when the congregation
dispersed, to take them home.
Month after month went by. Bitter
feelings in the meantime had gained
mastery In Hiram Lynde's heart, and
dHSTy uluIJSIllSS WoIC OllSl VII his hpS1
which he found hard to suppress.
One fine morning he drove with the
Harringtons to church as usual. AS
they slowly ascended the steps, and
disappeared within the sanctuary, a
strange light shone in his eyes, and
shaking his hand fiercely after them, he
exclaimed
"Proud hypocrites There they go
to worship God and advertise their fine
fortune, through their velvets, silks and
laces. They put money into the contri-
button box for the poor with jeweled
hands: but nary farthing do they care
for the souls of one of them. Nearly q
year brought them regularly to church,
but nobody has said word about my
going it. If preaching is good for
them, why isn't it for me, toop Ah, III
try an experiment. I'll bring their FASH
ionable religion out in a strong light, or
prove it all sham. Ha, ha yes, 1
will"
Four days passed. A purpose had
ripened in Hiram's breast, and belonged
to put it into execution.
One morning as he was wedding in
Mr.. Harrington's garden, he saw Joe
Phelps leaning against the gate.
Hello, Joe! come here," he called
pleasantly.
Joe skipped up the gravel walk to his
side. His mother was a hard-toiling
widow, who earned scanty livelihood
for herself and six children by washing.
Joe's clothes were so worn that great
patches covered his knees and elbows,
and only great skill in mending and
darning held them together. Hiram
surveyed him closely.
"Pretty poor clothes you wear hard
ly fit for pauper," he remarked sneer-
ingly.
They are the best 1 have" replied
Joe, the hot blood mounting to his face
from wounded pride.
"Want chance to earn a new suit
in an easy way, in one hourY asked
Hiram.
eyes, indeed,' answered Joe, joy
fully.
Joe, I'll make you a fair, square
offer. Next Sunday morning, if you'll
wear these same old clothes and be bare
footed just as you are now, and go into
the church just after the Harringtons
get in, and take seat in their pew
with them-its number is 105-I'll give
you the best suit of summer clothes in
Darrow's store.''
oh, you are fooling me-" laughed
Joe.
"Never was more serious in my life,'
said, Hiram, earnestly, Il want to NOR
tify these purse-proud Christians. L
want to see how these big feeling people
will act, to be in row with poor
boy, half covered with patches and
darns."
Oh, don't want to so into their
pew" said Joe,quickly. "'Tisn It using
them well it's mean"
AS you please,' replied Hiram, in
differently. "There's plenty of other
boys who'd jump at the chance"
Joe reflected moment and said:
Yes, I'll do it. Mother would have
to do great deal of washing to get me
a summer suit I'll do it to save her I;
but hate to awfully."
When Sunday came, Joe waited till
he saw the elegant carriage of Mark
Harrington go by, and then followed
hard after it. He reached the church
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