Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1881-05-07
The New Minister.
fss0hA Aft 1l

thing" Indeed, his fine complexion, silky hair
and handsome eyes made the ewes and the
to lead them by the green pastures and the still
waters. The male species who paid the bills
began to grumble-nOt because the clergyman's
conduct was not wholly exemplary, put De
him made their husbands, fathers and brothers
think that II they were In his place they would
not behave themselves. Therefore it was In
possible to imagine that he would.
But In spite Of this philosophy his deport-
ment was without flaw. The sweet adora.
ton that was poured out upon him by the
female d members OF the congregation ran OF
seemed to shun them-shuttiny himself I'D
with his booksand sermons. and devocing hts
whole attention to the male sinners OF the con-
gregation, who, to tell the truth, needed 1t bad
enough. The women were piqued at the re-
ception he gave to their warm and hearty wor-
ship OF him, and when the pretty widow Mac
lumber once limited that she thought the sim
the kiss Of peace, ought to be encouraged the
mixed smile OF superiority and disgust which
he showed at the suggestion made her his
enemy ever after.
But SO far from yielding to these destinations
the Rev: MI. Seasongood continued to SOW the
SEED OF the gospel among the masculine portion
OF his congregation, and so effectively that Sun.
day by Sunday the usual church attendance be-
gan to change to graver and darker hue. In
the flower garden OF bonnets and bright dresses
there came up gradually the dark foliage plants
duQ Rldy VI UIUdUCiOLu anu C3SSlmef0,
Even the prayer meetings we're better attended
and there was every evidence OF revival OF
interest in the church among the men. The
feminine zeal, on the contrary, abaJed. Neither
certain that the men became attracted, the wo-
men Indifferent to the new preacher.
Amor the prominent converts was Mr.. c.
Plus C. COBB good looking young lawyer
liberal. who knew "Bob' I1gersoli's lectures
by heart, and took delight in repeating them to
the deacoLS and old ladies. Although his Wife
was the p, esident of the Dorcas Society and the
life OF all the donation parties, she had never
during all her married life been able to interest
her husband In religion as much as the new
minister had done in less than two months. He
now gave literally TO foreign missions, Sat on
conversations With the pastor wnen ne ought
to have been interviewing his clients took long
wa ks with him. and had even been known to
visit widow Macumber's, where the Rev. Mr.
SeasOngood boarded.
Mrs. Cobb had known Cephus too long and
too well not. to wonder and even suspect her
husband Of something not wholly unexplained.
But she held her peace and went on as usual
with her parish work. She had vainly invited
the pastor to attend the meetings OF the Dorcas
Society and lead In prayer, or even come In the
"Copenhagen," "Fox and Geese" and other
exciting games. AT last, when the sisters began
to complain so loudly OF his neglect Of them
that 1t threatened to be serious matter, he
After prayer. Mrs. Cobb, taking up piece
OF work, said In loud tOLe to Mrs. Deacon
Bromley, my dear, hadn't we better cut it bias
and make gore the whole length Of this
p1ece?" The other woman looked up aSton15hed
at such nonsense, while the Rev. Mr.. Season.
good exclaimed, why you Old fool, what do
you want to spoil whole breadth for by slash
Mrs. Cobb turned sharply upon him, while
the company were more astonished at his COM
ment that at Mrs. Cobb's remark. ''Wny, you
m mr. hyyroh fnrp AT
remember, when little boy, hearing my sister
say that to the dressmaker, and It suddenly
came into my mind. | beg your pardon for
By Nc BY the sa Mhsn
after supper of hot biscuit, peach preserves,
honey and dried beef, the game OF "ForfeiGs'
was proposed. Mr.. Seasongood had to "bow to
one he loved best" He and Mr.. Cobb had been
talking together nearly all the evening In the
corLer, and the clergyman very reluctantly
cane forward TO engage in the game.
just as he reached the center OF the room
ing her skirts about her, jumped into chair,
crying .Oh! oh! oh! see the horrtd little crea-
ture! Where did that mouse come from?" OF
course all the rest OF the women followed her
example, and the sofas and chairs were covered
with screaming females. They were so en-
gagged with their own safety that they did not
descending from her perch, marched up to the
Rev. MI. Seasongo0d. who was standing on q
chair, screaming like the others and holding
on to that portion OF his pantaloons which he
would have seized had he worn skirts instead
OF his masculine garments.
"Ah, you bold-faced huZZy!" cried Mrs. Cobb.
"COme down from that! I've found you at
last. have long suspected 1T. How dare you!
How dare you!"
Every body but Mr.. Cobb looked surprised,
but Mrs. Cobb hustled them all out Of the
room with the exception OF Mrs. Deacon Brom-
ley. just what happened will never be exactly
known. Rtlf a female firm clad N nj
Dorcas Society's new calico gowns, was seen
Hitting from the house; the Rev. Mr.. Season
good was never seen again; and Mr.. Cephus C.
Cobb Is as great an admirer Of Bob Ingersoll
as ever, much to the detriment OF the contri-
button DOX.