The Ouachita telegraph. [volume] (Monroe, La.) 1865-1889, 1880-01-30
0nafhita Tt1egraph.
MONROE, La. JANUARY 80. 1880.
The TORTURED DRUAnER.


THE TORTURED DRUMMER. ;,
The WAS sweet, shy, Innocent little
village maiden, and she seemed some
what Hurried as she stepped into the
grocery store where our city drummer
was lounging. -
The clerk knew her, and while he
did up her parcel Of tea, he asked If
she wasn't afraid to walk home 30 late
at night. She asked the clerk rerv-
ously II It was SO very late. When he
assured her It was but nine O'Clock,
she took up the parcel and hurried
q TIE city drummer,s looking up,
Thought TO himself: ssIt is really too
bad. for such a pretty little girl to walk
home alone" So throwing his cigar
away, he skipped out and overlook
her Just as she was turning a dark
corner. 500 -
sWouldn't you like some company 81
he asked, graciously Offering his arm.
MBut 1 don't know YOU" she said
hesitatingly.
"Don't you? Why, Pm an old friend
of your father" sass
HIndeed !" she replied but she did
not take his arm. a5.. Il
They chatted pleasantly along, ne
asking many questions about her home,
etc. He learned that her father was an
invalid confined to his room, and that
her brother was absent from town.
They soon came to o neat and some
what pretentious cottage, and paustng
at the gate, she timidly asked him to
come in.
Charmed with her shyness and be-
lievinR the coast entirely clear, the
unsuspicious drummer accepted the
Invitation. She showed him into
tasty little parlor then she asked to be
excused for few minutes. AS she
passed out of the door a smile lowered
about her lips, the drummer did not
see 1t. tu
Passing down little hall, she tapped
lightly at another door, which was
opened by a gentleman of a decidedly
ministerial aspect.
.sMr. c." she said, sthere's gentle
man in the parlor who seems to be a
very anxious inquirer; won't you go
and talk to him?''
"CertainIy, my DEAR" answered her
pastor, who was rs prompt to improve
an opportunity to attend to his business
of saving souls as men of different cal
lings are to drive sharp bargains. He
hastened to the parlor, glasses and all,
and grasping the drummer warmly by
the hands, exclaimed heartily:
"Glad to see you, my friend, very
glad to see you.'
The drummer stared at the old gentle
man in establishment, and wondered
vainly who he was, and why he was
so glad to see him.
side him, and laying one hand on his
knno houan
"Our young friend tells me that you
are an anxious inquirer. I am always
glad to talk with one who is interested
in matters relating to the welfare of
the SOUL"
The minister paused for a moment,
and the drummer began to turn hot
and cold.
"Have you ever made any confession
of religion? Do you belong to any
church p the minister asked encourage
ingly.
0N-no," stammered the drummer
out loud. sCOnfound that girl - he
muttered under his breath.
The minister began to see that he
was not getting on, and noticing the
drummer's disturbed manner, re-
marked: ,.......-. .... ..st....
ssSomething troubles you, my friend.
Can you not confide in me? Perhaps
can relieve your doubts and fears"
ell think I'd better co." the drum
mer said, rising and vainly trying to
remember which door he came in
ut.
"I4et US have season of prayer to-
gether," said the minister, and suiting
the action to the word he kneeled down
by his chair. Not having decided
which door he came In at, and not
daring to risk meeting that ssconfounded
grip by opening another, the drum
mer had nothing better to do than to
submit to the novel experience of hear
ing himself prayed for.
AS soon as the prayer was ended, he
again essayed to go, but Mr.. G. be-
thought himself of the "girl," and
stepping to the dining-room door, call
ed:
"Wife, has Nettie gone
sOh yes, she did not stay. Willie
went with her, and he's been gone long
enough to get back"
At last the minister showed the dis