Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1879-05-08

light blazed upon the scene. The buzz o
tongues now grew even louder than before
Everybody was in high good-humor, and witt
this element prevailing, stiffness was impossl
BILE. The minister thoroughly enjoyed it all
His handsome face beamed with smiles, anc
his pleasant, cheerful talk contributed large
ly to the general mirth. Rebecca Carey
whispered to Lucy Melton that he wasn't
bit like minister-his manners were so gay
and Lucy whispered back that if all minis
ters were like him, she thought people woule
"get religion" quicker than great many die
now.
The supper was over, and Mr.. Towzleham
in his selfimportant way, remarked that nj
reckoned it was about time for everybody t
90 home, as the parson and his sister would
most likely be glad of chance to rest.
ats early yet," said Mr.. Wade. "1f oul
rooms we're little larger, I should propose te
the young people to wind up the evening
with a social dance" s@gf.",
"If a thunderbolt had fallen among the as
sembled company, the effect could not have
been more startling. Everybody paused
open-eyed, to gaze, with amazement, at th'
minister, who ventured to propose dancing
Or, who candidly admitted, at least, that hi
rould have proposed it, had the rooms beer
large enough! Not only was amazement de
picted on their countenances, but emotions O.
a more serious kind were plainly expressed OF
some. Mr.. Towzleham, especially, looked
ominously grave, and a sort of agitated hut
ter went around among the older female mem
bers of the throng. ....5
Harry Wade was quick to perceive the eff
feet of his words; but he was quite ready fol
the emergency.
"My friends" he said, quietly, but with 6
sparkle of fun in his eyes, "you seem to be
good deal taken by surprise by what l said
just now. Perhaps you think it sin in one
of my profession to countenance the cheerful
art of dancing-a recreation which, consider
healthful to the body, enlivening to the mind
and entertaining to the beholder. I am but
beholder myself, for though the pastime is
in my estimation, a purely innocent one,
don't think it digni6ed for minister to par
take of it. But.for others, who have not this
drawback use the term simply in connec
ton with this subject can see no objection
in the world to their joining in il"
"These are, presume, modern views" re
Joined Mr. Towzleham. "We have not been
accustomed to them"
perhaps not" said Harry, in his easy way
eff they are Objectionable ones, l am heartily
sorry for it. Nobody is bound to accept
them against their convictions, of course; but
I have fashion of speaking my mind with
out reserve from the beginning, because ]
think it's always the best plan. Your young
folks here, I presume, play games sometimes
blind-man's buff, fox and goose, and:so on. ]
can't see any more harm in moving their feet
and hands to the accompaniment of fiddle
or piano, than in moving them great deal
more energetically, in exercise of this des
cription. Those being my sentiments, had
no scruples in saying what I did,"
"Oh, no ofence-no offence, of course,
said Mr.. Towzleham, rather doubtfully. He
cleared his throat, looked reflective, and was
apparently on the point Of adding some far
ther remarks, but after some hesitation
changed his mind, and turning to his wife
bade her get ready to 60. The general leave
taking which ensued had sort of hush and
constraint about it. No one seemed to fee
quite as much at ease as they had little
while previous. The minister's manner, how
ever, was unchanged He shook hands frank
ly and cordially all round, saying pleasantly
how much obliged he felt for the fatterine
welcome he had received and when the dooI
was closed after the last departure, threw
himself at full length on sofa and gave ven
to clear, hearty, boyish laugh.
"Poor, good souls! they think me an ex
FOUNDER of dangerous doctrines, / am afraid,
he exclaimed. II shouldn't wonder, Kate, i
I received notice to quit, and then l am sure
I don't know what we would do with all thest
supplies" J.,
"But seriously, Harry" said his sister, will
lust shade of trouble in her voice, 81 dt
not think there was any occasion for you tt
thrust your views on them in that startling
manner. I did want their first impression O.
you to be a good one"
"Their first impression was capital" re
piled Harry; "it was the last that was so ter
rible. Never mind, I'll work my way int
their good graces again, Notwithstanding my
temerity in opposing their sober old opinions
1t would be fun to import dancing master
here, and get up class for the express pur
pose of illustrating my views"
Kate shook her head. She could not re
gard the matter in quite the same humorou
light. But no one would have thought th'
minister unclerical or unthinking, could they
have penetrated that night into the retire
nient of the little chamber that he had Sc
lected for his private study, and seen the ear
nestness aud ardor with which, notwithstand
ing his bodily weariness, he set himself t'
work to gather materials for his discourse OF
the following Sunday.
And such discourse as it was His tex
was "Charity thinketh no evil" and the ole
Meeting-house, which was crowded to its ut
most capacity, had never, within the memor!
of any of those assembled under its roof
echoed to such soul.stirring and eloquently
spoken words, as the words Of the new minis