Northern tribune. [volume] (Cheboygan, Mich.) 1875-1885, 1884-12-04

posed of men accustomed to hide their
emotions behind impassive vissages, and
they did not propose that the stranger
should find them prepared for any exhl-
bitiOn of surprise by any kind of show
that he might open. The faro table was
offered to him for pulpit; and spread
ing his notes on the Layout" he went
in spite of some
NATURAL NERVOUSNESS.
Parson Miller was a man who had
seen good deal Of the world. was good
judge of men, and had the peculiar fac
ulty of adapting himself to his surround
ings, All this enabled him to preach
sermon that applied Immediately to the
understanding and appreciation Of his
auditors. Whether it affected them or
not could not be gathered from their
looks but the frequency of the applause
testified that they knew what he was
talking about.
At the close his prayer the parson
announced that he wanted his cOngrega-
tiOn to select a hymn and sing it. Per
haps his object was to see If his prayer
had aroused any "reminiscences of early
youth and possible religious training.
But the effect On the audience was start
way began caucusing, and it was short
ly apparent that there were factions and
factiOnal disturbances. The dispute
ran high, but was wholly unintelligible
to tho parsOn, who was not q fluent
scholar In the gamblers slang. Com
mittees were appointed to confer but no
no agreement was reached and the con-
gregatlon finally divided into three par
| ties.
The dominic asked if they had made
choice of hymn, to which a man arose
and explained that they had not. He
had expostulated with his friends, but
to no purpose.
THERE WAS ONE HYMN
he would like very much to stag, and
others preferred to attempt other hymns
| to settle which they had agreed to hold
an election and accept the one chosen by
the majority. To that end he would put
in nomination one against which no
breath of scandal could be raised in his
presence. He had known it for years
and respected it. Now was the time for
his friends to stand by him, and he took
pleasure in nominating that standard
and grand old anthem Wilkins and
his Dinahw
|
protest when another man arose and
said he thought all enterprises were ben
Gifted by an infusion of young blood
He was not prepared to assault "Villi-
kins and his Dinah" but he felt sure
that they could not satisfy the people,
and, therefore. he should vote against
them. lie would place himself in the
hands of his friends and nominate 9Th Q
Son of Gambolierw
1t dawned on the preacher that the
exercises had passed Out of his hands,
and he concluded not to Interfere.
A third man took the floor and an
nOunced that never before had he bOlted
a nomination by the regular party aflllia-
tiOns, and he should show his manhood
by breaking loose from party ties and
putting in nomination an Independent
candidate, that touching and soul in
spring hymn.
''wHOA, EMMAw
He admitted that his faction was small
hut he hoped to draw enough votes from
the other candidates to defeat them and
thereby elect his hymn.
, The polls were opened without delay
, and the ballOting commenced. 1t was
an exciting time, and there were one Oh
bWO USl ibS, uuU ObUcl w loc cftly Wds
, pleasant, and when the votes were count.
! ed it was announced that "Whoa Emma
, had won by small majority. Then the
, audience arose as one man and sang the
"hymn" with vigor that shook the
| furniture. The parson did not join, but
} stood with them and pronounced the
: benedictiOn without any comment on
: the singing.
He thought his work was finished, and
was somewhat startled by the sugges.
, tion of posted man that he had not tax.
en- collection. But still more was he
surprised when his hat had gone around
and he found il full of red, white, and
blue faro checks. But if that surprised
7 him he was astOunded when he learned
} that the game would be opened for him
+ and he might play in his checks or cash
, them, as he chose. Contrary to all ad-
vice he cashed them, and when he left
, he saw the congregation flocking around
{ the table ready for the game. There are
churches in Bismarck now and some
civilization, but old Inhabitants still re-
member the FIRST sermon and its variega
/ ted aspects.
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