Litchfield enquirer., 1879-08-28
MY FIRST SERMON.
BY MRS. M. s. HOLLISTER.

BY MRS. M. s. HOLLISTER.
 MY DEAR SAM.-Here;n find the history of my first sermon. Yours, Z.Q.] had been ordained and sent out, half min- ister, half colporteur to raise funds for little church too poor even to beg for itself. l star ted with the zeal of Loyola, and handbag containing a change of linen and my one ser mon. This precious MS had nearly as many heads as Hydra and felt sure that more than one of them was immortal. It was sewed in- | to gorgeous velvet cover given me by the lady teachers of our Sabbath school. My ini- tlals, z. o., glittering upon it in gold thread, were tortured as only the cunning hand of woman can torture embroidery letters when designed for young ministers. Cadmus never would have recognized his symbols; but, by tine way, he did not get down so far as z, and l wish that mother had not. Father could not help being named Quinby suppose, but she needn't have chosen Zaccheus for me. It's we'll enough when spoken with resonance, but whom toothless ladies try it,it will hiss. When l was intent upon exegesis, one time with my class, Deacon Stanley's daughter would lisp so when she called me Zack, felt sure she coll ed those yellow snakes about by initials The pretty doves cooing to each other in the inner most fold of the Q, were made by dear little Sarah Jones. However, that's of little weight now compared with my sermon. was to in- augurate my labors at Hilltown, village perched upon granite rocks, inaccessible by rail- but one of the deacons was to meet me, and his empty milk cansat the nearest station. While in the cars took out my sermon, fold ing two of the blank pages over the cover to protect and conceal it, as feared it was too conspicuous, remembering Edward Eggleston's advice not to parade ones cloth too ostenta- tiously though my stiff white tie would ob- trude itself from under my chin. @I read my heads over carefully, felt their dlstinctlveness, and that the begging passages must draw tears from the rocks of HilltoWn. ... When I reached the station, pleasant look ing old man was sitting on his buck board and hailed me, at once recognizing me as the young minister who was to preach next day. While he was selecting and tying his cans, I walked the platform between the whispering, staring crowd who were intent on studying me before they faced me tomorrow. I heard a woman say (she was as dark and salient as silhouette), that I "looked fresh" Now, if there is one expression more than another that l hate, as applied to me, an ordained minister, it is this. Of course got used to the word ''Fresh" in college, but you know there we forgot our ignorance when we go into higher class, and can revenge ourselves on lower. A buxom, elderly dame took my part, saying, 'I like his looks, Mss Price, and he can't help being young any more than we can being old" could have taken her into my arms (she must have weighed two hundred) for her voice sounded just like mothers when she told Uncle Lewis that was set on being a minister intead of going into his grocery. Just 1 Deacon Jessup said he was ready, and l.. Jed to get into his wagon, when low pha- eton and beautiful horse dashed past us The driver, lady. had nearly lost control of the animal, but she kept him off from the posts and trees, trying to stop in front of the depot. At this moment the engine gave puff which set the horse rearing, and over went the phe- ton and lady. Two of the platform trampers seized the horse, others righted the carriage and the stout lady and l, lifted the poor girl upon the steps. She was not much hurt, but her hand was cut and bleeding, and her pretty gray dress covered W th mud
 ooh Mrs Kaap In oa;d tsp,,, ,fr,;1 papa will never let me drive Rory again. But where is papa2"
 ''He sent word he would be out in later train," fellow passenger of mine replied.
 ''fhen 1 must get some one to drive me home after I've brushed off this mud, and got some plaster for my hand, see it has bled through your handkerchief, Mrs. Keep" look ing at her hand which we had bound up
 Mot mine, Miss Annie This gentleman who suspect is the young minister, lent me his, as l couldn't just then get at yours or mine." The young lady turned frankly to me saying, "Mr. Quimby, we know your name, you see, please take mine," pulling fimsy piece of muslin out of her pocket with her left hard r
 ''Ihis is more than an equivalent for mine," l said, holding the dainty thing she gave me-
 ''It is for yours in it's present condition" laughingly looking at the bandage no longer white, but deeply dyed. ..-...
 Come with me, Miss Annie, into the depot and let me help You," urged Mrs. Keep.
 ''Is Rory hurt ?" the girl asked of the man holding his bridle
 ''Not bit, Miss Gray" said the old fellow. "He only wants trainin' and a good latherin' to take him down some." "o ' r
 Perhaps so, but boy with kite frighten- ed him at the top of the hill and couldn't quite stop him. He wouldn't hurt me for the world, any more than would him." ~
 'Td hurt hlm eff he done SO with me, and I hope Mir. Array won't let you drive him for awhile" -. 1,. -,.
 'Not till my hand gets we'll" .'
 She turned to me. "You were allotted to us, but aunty is away, and papa is afraid of my housekeeping or something, 30 Deacon Jessup said you must stay with him. What you lose in company you galninstead by going with Mir. Jessup instead of me and Rory. But goodbye until hear you tomorrow, unless I overtake you."a E-@ .sa-i-47t s ss''t2 P
 The old gentleman was waiting for me, but good-naturedly said, ''Yo ou are getting acquaint- ed with your congregation fast. Miss Gray is the prettiest girl in town, but perhaps you haven't noticed that 2" g r
 ''How can judge, sir, till I've seen the oth- CTS. " .c.sE ss escitez.E - O. a.3fGL teas z - ''Well, she is, and the richest too-perhaps she isn't the best, for her father spells her. He lost his wife. years ago. and this girl twirls him round ker thumb, and his sister too. He is away from home good deal, and she does just what she likes
 Nothing very bad hope,"I answered, thinking that l should add sentence to my r. |