The New Bloomfield, Pa. times. (New Bloomfield, Pa.) 1877-188?, 1880-01-13

dazed sort of lopk--'excuse me, sir, but
never said prayer In my life.n
"What Never said-Oh ! you're
joking
Upon my word, I've not, much as
am ashamed to own It,"
Sanscript stroked his chin, tried hard
to collect his scattered thoughts, and
mentally observed:
g Well here's a--of preacher
Never prayed Wonder what church he
belongs to p''
:" l thought maybe you'd like to SUBJ
SCRIBE" mildly continued the young
man.
Subscribe oh, yes to be sure.l
Why certainlyl" Then. to himself
The mercenary william He strikes me
for five before the dust settles.' Then
aloud. "This is for the heathen, sup
pose.'
" Beg pardon !"
"To send some one into Hottentot to
save souls that are probably lost !"
81 don't exactly catch your meaning"
6 For the missionary fund, suppose p'
" Which missionary fund ?"
4" How should Know ?" Any of 'em,
/ guess you ought to know"
Perhaps. But will you subscribe ?"
"Why, certainly How much is itY''
"Seven dollars"
Sanscript went down into his pocket,
produced the money, and passed 1t over
as he quoted, " Blessed is he that giveth
to the poor, for he shall have his re-
ward"
"Thank you - smiled the young man,
ramming the bills down into his pocket.
when shall deliver the book ?"
what book 2'' 1t was Sanscript's
turned now to be puzzled.
"Why, The Meandering Muleteers;
or the Mystery of the Murdered Man, in
three volumns."
A light seemed to be breaking in on
Sanscript's Mortified mind. He grasped
the poker, and hoarsly whispered:
"Young man, who are your What
are your"
The visitor took the precaution to arise
and slide toward the door before he an
swered (he was no doubt benefited by
the experience of busy life) " I'm agent
for this book under my arm-the"-
"And you're not preacher ~
"No, sir !"
"Well, durn my buttons !"
There was rush, scurry of feet, the
opening of the door, a dull thud, as. if
leather and flesh had come into violent
collision, and two men went tumbling
down the front steps to the pavement.
Sanscript wasn't one of them.
The book agents exit was so violent
and sudden that man coming up the
steps at that moment hadn't time to get
out of the way. Both went rafting and
rolling down together. The new visitor
picked up his 'stovepipe," busted his
breeches with his hands, and looked
wonderingly after the book agent, who
was limping away down the street as
fast as exhausted nature could carry
him. Finally visitor No. cautiously
ascended the steps, ducking and dodging
as III eApeCJlDR SOule lUleTudi nluCDlne 10
be sprung upon him at every step. He
rang the bell carefully, as if it were
house of mourning. Sanscript again
came to the door.
Well, sir Y'
The visitor fairly jumped loose from
bis skin in alright.
Is this where Mr.. Sanscript lives ?"
What if it isp What doe want ?"
Softly, softly, Brother Sanscript.-
The good Book says'-
"Oh! you're book agent, too--are
you? Well, III soon fix you -
Away went visitor No. 2, after the
manner of No. 1. AS he slid off the top
of Sanscript's right boot the Mortified
voice of his wife arose excitedly from the
doorway:
John! John what have you donep
Is that the way you treat my minister 7"
"Your minister! Well I'll be cussed
if didn't take him for another book
agent" And he shut the door.