The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1878-12-04
HIRAM LINDE'S EXPERIMENT.
BY SARAH =. BRIGHAM.

Hull many Il bilull III IGlltAOm SCuV,
Finds mark the archer little meant.
If Hiram Lynde had been an Irish
man, or an African, he would have been
amply satisfied with his position as gar
dener and hostler for Mark Harrington,
ESQ.,, which yielded him good wages.
But he was stanch, northern Vermonter
who found it hard to realize there is
wide social distinction between the
employer and the employe
in the suburbs of New York. 10
be considered an upper servant, and be
forced to eat in the kitchen with Bridget
Malone and Ann McCarty, chated his
pride terribly.
Every Sunday Hiram harnessed q pair
Of superb black horses into costly, soft
cushioned carriage, and drove the Har-
rington family to church. While they
were worshiping within, he waited out
side, or rode slowly around the streets to
pass away the time, but was always
promptly back, when the congregation
disposed, to take them home.
Month after month went by. Bitter
feelings, in the meantime, had gained
mastery in Hiram LEnde's heart, and
angry mutterings were often on his lips,
which he found hard to suppress.
One fine morning he drove with the
Harringtons to church as usual. AS they
slowly assembled the steps, and disap-
peared within the sanctuary, a strange
light shone in his eyes, and, shaking his
hand fercely 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-
bution-box for the poor with their jew
eled hands; but nary farthing do they
care for the souls of one of them. Nearly
year I've brought them regularly to
church, but nobody has said word about
my going in. Ifpreaching is good for
them, why isn't it for me, too2 All, I'll
try an experiment. I1l'bring their fash
ionable religion out into a strong light,
or prove it all sham. Ha! ha! yes, I
will"
-Four days passed. A purpose had
ripened in Hiram's breast, and he longed
to put it into execution. .0
One morning as he was wedding in Mr.
Rarrington's garden, he saw Joe Phelps
iodAiLS5 eaSa1uSl iue SaCc.
"Holloa, Joe! come here,' lie called
pleasantly.
Joe skipped up the gravel walk to his
side. His mother was 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; hardly
lit for pauper," he remarked sneering-
"They are the best l have, replied Joe,
the hot blood mounting to his face from
wounded pride.
"Want chance to earn a new suit in
an easy wav, in one hour?" asked Hiram,
"Yes, indeed" answered Joe, joyfully.
"Joe, I'll make you fair, square Offer.
Next Sunday morning, if you'll wear
these same old clothes. and barefooted
just as you now are, and go into church
just after the Harringtons get in. and
take seat in their pew with them-it's
number 105-1W give you the best suit
of summer clothes in Darrows store"
ION, you are foolin'," laughed Joe.
"Never was more serious in nv life,"
said Hiram, earnestly. II want to morti-
~ these purse-proud Christians. Iwant
to see how these big feeling people will
act, to be in row with q poor boy, half
covered with patches and darns."
"Oh, l don't want to go into their pew. y
said Joe, quickly. "Tisn't using them
well; it's mean"
"As you please" replied Hiram, indif-
ferently. "There's plenty of other boys
who'd jump at my Offer"
Joe reflected moment. "Yes, I'll dc
it," he said, decidedly. "Mother would
have to do great deal of washing to get
me summer suit. I'll do it to save her;
but I hate to awfully."
When Sunday came, Joe waited till he
saw the elegant carriage of Mark Har.
rlngton go by, and then followed hard
after it. He reached the church Just
after the family had entered it. Hiram
was holding the horses in front of the
steps. Giving the reins to friend stand.
ing by, he and Joseph made their way
through the vestibule, up the stairs tc
the inner door. Here Hiram waited, and
watched, with chuckling heart, the boy
as he timorously went through the broad
aslle till he came to pew number 1O5
Mr.: Harrington was sitting at the foot,
and Joe slipped in by him, and sat down
between him and his daughter Helen
while the faces of both showed great sur.
prise.
"That was capitally done," thought
Hiram exultingly. Joe is trump any.
where. Now the rich and poor sit side
side, and in Gods eyes one is no bet
ter than the other"
On their way home, the odd inciden1
Of Joseph Phelps sitting unlimited il
their pew was glibly discussed by the
Harringtons.
"Poor boy" said Miss Helen, pityinglv
lit is plain his starved soul is reaching
out for something higher. We must er.
courage and help him."
but it was SO funny to see him por
down by you. thought / should laugh
outright said Miss Fannie.
Hiram listened in establishment. Nc
word of Indignation or modification
came from the lips Of these he had called
fashionable Christians. His plan te
humble their pride had failed.