Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1879-04-24
2L 17D NO i
NO. 1Ol.
Calls ano sksttI]ss.
HOW ABEL MiPRIL PREACHED FOR
MR.. SMITH.

NIX. SMITH.
Come here. please, Helen. want to
see what yOu can make of this letter that
| have just received from John Smith"
She arose. and crossing the room. look
ed over his shoulder at the paper which
he held in his hand.
Il cannot read it in this dim light she
said.
So she struck a match, and lighted the
gas over the round table. Then she pulled
down the window-shades and drawing
chair close to his. sat down.
II believe you are making me very in
dolent, Helen; but You are so deft. and I,
with my crutch, ann so clumsy, that pre-
| fer to sit here and watch YOU. But here is
the letter.
She took it and studied it for some time.
At length she said, well, ! can make
nothing of it. How can you answer such
a letter ~
'Oh, | can read it," he said. "I only
wanted to see what You could do with it.
He does write such a shocking hand.'
''ls it written in cipher?' she asked.
Not exactly, but it is really quite y
puzzle. Now let me read it to you, and
see what an ineligible thing can make
of it.
lie took it and began to read:
DEAR ABEL,-It is some time now
since we met, but have heard from YOU
occasionally through friends; for, while
you We're so sick, inquired whenever |
had an opportunity. Now that hear YOU
are so much better-qnte well, | suppose,
by this time am going to ask favor of
you. ! want you to preach for me next
Sunday. 1t is rather short notice, so YOU
may have some other engagement: but
you have heen i'll so long thought. YOU
might be at liberty. | was depending on
Mr.. Adams; but just as | was coming
away. | received a letter saying that he
was obliged to disappont me. SO here
| am, with no one to supply my pulpit,
and on my way to my own wedding, which
engagement, of course, cannot break,
Do not try to 20 if you are not well
enough; but | hope you will be, for |
want YOU to see the place and the people.
| suppose YOU know that am settled in
Parole.
Yours in great haste,
'JOHN SMITH'n
You will not think of going.n said
Helen, when the letter was finished.
"Oh yes, indeed. feel quite able.
You know | am going back to my studies
next week. have already written word
that will accommodate him.
Il am afraid You are hardly well
enough said his sister. but there is
the tea,bell calling u.s.
Somewhat back from the pleasant High
street in the quiet little town of Parole
stands the old-fashioned farm house now
owned and occupied by Deacon Varley.
1t has gambrel roof. dormer windows,
and all sorts of hooks and corners. Part
OF it was built IA long time ago, and the
rest was added piece by piece as it hap
pened to suit the whm of the owner. In
summer there is a pretty green ward in
front. with Il border of flowers on each
side of the gravel walk. Here YOU might
see in their season, sweet peas, asters,
marigolds, and other old fashioned flow
ers. while here and there Il tall hollvhock.
stiff and stately. stands alone against the
fence, like Il picket-guard. In winter the
place wears quite different aspect: but
still the house has an inviting. home like
look, in spite of the barren fields and gar
den.
On the same evening when Helen and
Abel Nj April, in the city of Exburr. were
reading the letter from Rev Mr.. Smith.
Deacon Narley and his wife were seated
room, while their daughter Ruth was fit
ting about the house Presently there
came knock at the door, and Ruth
ushered in II tall middle-aged man whom
they greeted as Mr.. Smith. As soon as
the usual salutations were over he began
his errand, speaking slowly as if address
ing larger audience;
circumstances have arisen which make
it necessary for me to depart from town
to morrow morning by the first train. |
deplore the eXi@ency. as it involves the
uncertainty of my being able to furnish a
substitute for the Sabbath; but the tele-
gram have received calls me Immediate
ly. | shall, however, endeavor to obtain
in the city some one who will be willing
for slight remuneration to take nv place
in dispensing to you the Gospel | take
the liberty of calling this evening to re-
quest you to do me the favor of asking Mr..
llolley, the stage driver, to observe the
passengers who arrive tomorrow night
by the train, and to try to discover if
among them there is one whom have de-
puted to fill my office for the time being,
and, il so. to convey him to Mrs. Wards
residence
There is no need to speak to Mr.. Hol-
ley said Mr.. Narey. Il will drive up
to the depot myself, and take the minister
to Mrs Wards. But don't trouble YOUR
self too much for, in an emergency. we
could shut up the church. although am
not one in favor of these long vacations
they have nowadays. We could get along
for one Sunday, after what we had last
week. That was a good, strong sermon
YOU gave MS in the morning, Mr.. Smith.
like to hear something of the kind once
in while. if only to know that nv minis
ter is sound in the doctrines -
"Thank you, sir. feel tits quite doubt
ful il | have time to procure any one but
| shall be happy to know that you will at
tend to him should | succeed. Now l
must bid YOU all good evening"" and Mr..
Smith took his leave.
The train came putting and screeching
into the station the next afternoon just as
the good deacon drove up, and he sprang
out of the sleigh and hurried along the
platform to watch the passengers as they
Ihprn hr.