The Florida agriculturist. [volume] (DeLand, Fla.) 1878-1911, 1884-12-17

straightway began caucausing, and it
was shortly apparent that there were
factions and factional disturbances. The
dispute ran high but was wholly unintel-
ligible to the parson, who was not a tiu-
ent scholar in gamblers slang. COM
nittees were appointed to confer, but no
agreement was reached, and the congre--
cation finally divided into three parties.
The dominic asked if they had made
a choice of hymn, to which man rose
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 sing, and 9TH
ers 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
Dinahu'
The staggered dominic was about to
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 "Nilkins
and his Dinah,' but he felt that they
could not satisfy the people, and there
fore he should vote against them. He
would place himself in the hands of his
friends and nominate 1.-The Son of
Gambolier"
II dawned on the preacher that the ex-
ercises 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, but
the time had come when he lvil no Ion
ger bound by party affiliations, and he
should show his manhood by breaking
loose from party ties and putting in nom
ination an independent candidate, that
touching and soul-inspiring hymn,
"Whoa, Emma! !" He admitted that
this faction was small, but he hoped to
draw enough votes from the other candi-
dates to defeat them and thereby elect
his hymn.
The polls were opened without delay,
and the balloting commenced. 1t was
an eXcing time, and there were one or
two fights, but otherwise everything was
pleasant, and when the votes were count
ed 1t was announced that "Whoa, En-
map had won by small majority. Then
the audience rose as one man and sang
the "hymn" with vigor that shook the
furniture. The parson did not join, but |
he 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 suggestion
Of posted man that he had not taken |
collection. But still more was he sur
prised when his hat had gone around
and he found it full of red, white and |
blue faro checks. But if that surprised
him, he was astounded when he learned
that the game would be.opened for him
and he might play in his checks, or cash
hem as he chose. Contrary to all adj
vice he cashed them, and when he left
ne saw the congregation focking around
The table ready for game. There are
churches in Bismarck now, and some
but old inhabitants still re-
the first sermon and its var
riegated professionally Huntley, IN
DrGke's Trdrelcrs' Magazine.