The Pulaski citizen. [volume] (Pulaski, Tenn.) 1866-current, 1882-02-16

SS2S he made a great impression
on his hearers, and in the ''reviVals'
that followed his arrival there a
great many very singular things
were reported of him amongst
others, that he had driven the devil
out of old James Barrow, the notori-
GUS drunkard of the place; and that
people had seen him-the deVil-run
down the street and jump into the
lake. The truth of the matter was
that Robin was a sensational young
preacher and had set the people to
thinking. But talking and ex-
aggeration went on. and the rumor
grew, and the church was filed as
it had not been for years.
Walking home in the evening
after one of the brightest meetings
of the course, arm-in-arm with his
old college friend Silas Weld, Robin
heard more of what was reported of
him than he had heard before.
81 am sorry" he said. 81 believe
such things hurt religion, and also
hurt the preacher of whom they are
said"
"You are not hurt by it yet, any
how" said Silas. "Margoric does
not believe this nonsense, but she
calls you the best preacher she ever
heard"
She's very kind, ] am sure" said
the young minister. "Who is sheY
"She's the girl am engaged to,
Robin" said Silas. "You must
have noticed her. She's the pret-
tiest girl in the place. She sits in
the third pew on the right, and
wears a purple velvet hat with tea
roses in it,
"Oh, yes, I've seen her." said
Robin, "and she's a Vely pretty girl,
indeed; and SO that is Margoris2'
"We are very fond Of each other,
said Silas, "but her father and 1
are not so fond. I'm going to call
there this evening. Will you go
with meY'
"It's too late-half past nine" !"
said Robin.
"No doubt" replied Silas; "but 1
have to go when I can, Her father
is away tonight. There's meet
ing of the Agricultural Association
at the hotel. They generally stay
until midnight; so this is my time"
"You are responsible for the hour"
said Robin. ''I shall not say any
thing more about it. Take me if
you think best, or leave me, if you
think better, when we get to the
door; we have been friends too long
not to be frank with each other"
"Oh, 1 want you to know Margo-
rie," said Silas; and so, with much
more talk, he led his friend, by
certain roads and lanes, to the door
of substantial farm house, through
the windows of which cheerful lights
were visible.
"I think it's likely that she's in
the sitting-room," said Silas open
ing a gate which led through the
orchard, and making his way to a
low door, shaded by a porch, at
which he knocked in a peculiar
manner; and in an instant the door
flew open and there stood Margorie
herself, a pretty picture, with the
glintsring on her golden
hair.
"Margorie," said the young man,
'Pve brought Robin Sperry to see
you, Miss Garnet, Mr.. Sperry,"
avery glad" said Margorie. fWalk
in, please. Silas, I'm glad to see
you, you know; but pa will not
be late to night: he said so. Pa is
a little particular, Mr.. Sperry. He
was sea captain once, and / think
that makes him so; and he isn't
very friendly yet to Silas."
'PVe explained that to Robin"
said Silas.
"Theh he'll not think me rude if
1 say, don't stay long," said Margo
rie. "Pa would be glad to have
you call on him Mr.. Sperry," she
continued. "He admires to hear
you preach; and SO do l."
"Thank you," said Robin, 81 think
it is very kind of you to tell me-"
''It's such pleasant change from
Mr.. Graham, poor old gentleman |!
who had lost all of his teeth and
never had any ideas. It's wicked
not to go to church, you know, but
what trial it used to be. I've en-
joyed it so much since you came,
Mr.. Sperry."
Robin said, "Thank you' again,
and they sat together around the
fire-the first of the season-and
talked very pleasantly. Margorie
was hospitable, and cider and dough
nuts, which neither of the young
men were fastidious enough yet to
dispise, were brought from the
store-room. Robin told Margorie
that should he permanently settle
in the place his mother would come
to keep house for him. And Mar
goFie declared that she would be
very glad.
''I love elderly ladies'" she said
sand you know / haven't any one,
mother, aunt or grandmother. l
hope your mother viii like me-"
4, Robin said that he knew she
would, and he thought also that it
would be well for Aargorie if she
had such a wise counselor; and over
the cider and cakes they fell to talk
ing very pleasantly and merrily. In
the midst of this 8 slow dumping
on the path became audible. Sud
denly the pleasant chat was inter
rupted. Margorie clasped her
plump hands and Silas turned red.
at is pa" whispered Margorie.
'Oh, / told you he'd be early, Silas.
Hide yourself. Run into the store
closet-run. Pa has been taking
too much hard cider-I know it by
his walk. He always does at the
agricultural meeting. He viii stop
at nothing. Hide yourseli-hide
yourself in the store closet"
"You see, Robin said Silas
doubtfully, "he promised to kill me
if he found me in his house again
and Margorie is nervous about il
come"
"Thank you, said Robin, "gC
yourself if you like"
And Margorie who had neyei