Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1879-08-18
AN ANXIOUS INQUIRER.

A western paper tells the story of how
city drummer met his match in little
country girl: ~
She was sweet, shy, innocent little
village maiden, and she seemed some
what furried as she stepped into the
grocery store where our city drummer
The clerk knew her, and when he did
up her parcel of tea he asked her if she
wasn't afraid to walk home so late at
night She asked the clerk nervously if
it was so very late.
When he assured her that it was but
just nine o'clock, she took up the parcel
and hurried away.
The city drummer, looked on, thought
to himself, lit really is too bad for
such pretty little girl to walk home
alone"
So, throwing away his cigar, he skip
ped out and overlook her just as she was
turning dark corner.
Wouldn't you like some company 2"
he asked graciously offering her his
arm.
"But l don't know you?" she said.
hesitatingly.
Don't you? why, I'm an old friend
Of your fathers -
"Indeed p she replied, but she did
net take his arm.
They chatted pleasantly along, he
asking many questions about her home,
etc. He learned that her father was an
invalid confined to his room, and her
brother was absent from town.
They soon came to neat and some
what pretentious cottage, and pausing at
tie gate she timidly asked his to come
in.
Charmed with hen shyness and be-
lieving the coast entirely clear. the
unsuspicious drummer accepted the in
vitation.
She showed him into tasty little par
lor, then asked to be excused for few
minutes. As she passed out of the door
smile hovered about her lips, but the
drummer did not see it.
assing down little hall she tapped
lightly at another door, which was op-
ened by gentleman of decidedly min
isterial aspect.
"Mr. c." she said, "there's gentle
man in the parlor who seems to be a
very anxious inquirer; won't you 60 and
talk to him p
Certainly, my DEAR" answered her
pastor, who was prompt to improve an
opportunity to attend to his business of
saving souls as men of different callings
are to drive sharp bargains.
He hastened to the parlor, glasses and
all, and grasped the drummer warmly by
the hand, exclaiming heartily;
"Glad to see you, nay friend, very glad
to see you"
The drummer stared at the old gentle
man in astonishment, and wondered
valnly who he was and why he was SO
very glad to see him.
The minister drew chair close beside
him, and laying one hand on his knee,
began very earnestly "Our young
friend tells me that you are an anxious
inquirer. | am always glad to talk with
any one who is interested in matters re.
lating to the welfare to the soul.'
The minister paused for moment
and the drummer began to turn hot and
cold.
"Have you ever made any profession
of religion, do you belong to any church,
the minister asked, encouragingly.
"N-no," stammered the drummer .out
loud. "Confound the girl r. he mutter
ed under his brath.
! The minister began to see that ht
was not getting on, and noticing the
ldrnmmer's disturbed manner, re
marked:
| Something troubles you, my friend.
Can you not confde in me? Perhaps
Tan relieve your doubts and fears"
Ill think I had better CO." th'
drummer said, rising and vainly tryin!
70 guess which door he came in at.
"Let us have season of prayer to
gether," and. suiting the action to tn
word, he kneeled down by his chair
Not having decided which door he cam
in at. and not daring to risk meeting
that .'confounded girl" by opening an.
other, the drummer had nothing bette
to do than to submit to the move
experience of hearing himself praye
for.
AS soon as the. prayer was ended b
again essayed to 60. but Mr.. G. be
thought himself of the girl, and steE
ping to the dining-room door called:
"Wife, has Lettie gone ?"
"Oh. yes, she did not stay. Will
went with her. and he's been gone lon
enough to get back =
At last the minister showed the dii
comftted drummer to the door. shoe
him warmly by the hand, hoped to met
him in heaven, and let him out into tt
free air once more.
AS he passed out of the gate he hear
a subdued giggle. saw two figures diml
outlined against the sky, and a boy