Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1878-10-10
Hiram Lynde's Experiment.
"Full many shaft at random sent
Finds mark the archer little meant"

Finds mark the archer little meant"
IF Hiram Lynde had been an Irish
man, he would have been amply satis-
fed with his position as gardener and
hostler for Mark Harrington, Esq,
which yielded him good wages. But
he was a staunch Northern VermOnter,
who found it hard to realize there is
wide social distinction between the
employer and employee in the suburbs
of New York. To be considered an up
per servant, and to be forced to eat in
the kitchen with Bridget Malone and
Ann McCarty chafed his pride terri
bly,. ,,
pair of superb black horses into cost
iy. soft-cushioned carriage, and drove
the Harrington family to church.
While they were wOrshipping within,
he waited outside, or rode slowly
around the streets 10 pass away the
time, but was always promptly back
when the congregation dispersed, to
take them home.
I Month after month went by. Bitter
feelings in the meantime gained mas
terry in Hiram Lynde's heart, and
angry mutterings were often ON his
lips. which he found hard to suppr, 81.
One fine morning he drove with the
Harringtons to church, as usual. As
they slowly asrended the steps, and
disappeared within the sanctuary, q
strange light shone in his eyes, and
al king his hand tierccly after them,
nt. exclaimed:
Proud hypocritee! There they go to
worship God aud advertise their fine
fortune, through their velvets, silks
and laces. They put money into the
contribution box for the poor with
ieweled hands, tut nary ii faTthing do
thew care for the souls Uf one Of them.
Nearly year brought them regular
" to church, but nobody has said a
word ui,Dut my going in. Ii preach
ing il good for them " ny ism for me,
too? An! I'll try an experiment. Pll
bring their fashionable religion out in
strong light, or prove 1t all sham.
Ha, hs! yes, will
Four days passed. A purpose had
ripened in HiTam's breast and he
longed to put it into execution.
q 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
hi. side, His mother was hard-toil-
ing widow, who earned a scanty lIveli-
hood 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 to-
pether. Hiram surveyed him closely. |
Pretty poor clothes you wear; hard
ly fit for a pauper,' he remarked
sChey are the best 1 have replied
Joe, the hot blood mounting to his
face from wounded pride.
want chance to earn new suit In |
an easy way, in an hOurT asked Hi
ram.
Yes, indeed,' answered Joe. joyful
Joe, Tll make fair, square offer.
Next Sunday morning, if you'll wear
these same clothes and be barefooted,
ust as you are now, and go into the
:hurch Just after the Harringtons get
n, and take a seat with them-it's No.
give you the best suit OF sum-
ner clothes in Darrow's store.
sOh, you are foolin', laughed Joe.
Never was more serious in my life,'
aid Hiram, earnestly. L want to
nortify these purse-proud Christians.
want to rec how these big-feeling
people will act, to be in row with
Door boy, half covered with patches
md darns.'
oh, don't want togo into their
lew,' said Joe quickly. "Tisn't using
hem well; it's mean
AS you please replied Hiram, in
differently. There's plenty of other
'oy5 who'd jump at my offor.'
Joe reflected momenl. Yes, Pll
10 it, he said, decidedly. Mother
you'd have to do Il great deal OF wash
ng to get me summer suit. I'll do
t to save her; but hate to, awfully.'
When Sunday came, Joe waited till
10 saw the elegant carriage of Mark
harrington go by, and then followed :
ard after it. He reached the church 8
ist after the family had entered it.
Iiram was holding the horses in front 8
the steps. Giving the reins to u
-lend standing by, he and Joseph made 9
heir way through the veStibule,up the i
tairs 10 the inner door. Here Hiram .
,aited and watched, with a chuckling :
cart, the boy ss he timOr0usly went I
trough the broad ai,le till he came to /
ew 1O5. Mr.. Harrington was sitting /
the foot, and Joe slipped In by him, I
nd sat down between him and his :
aughter Helen, while the face OF both a
bowed great surprise. t
srI,l IL