The Kimball graphic. (Kimball, Brule County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1905, 1884-10-24
Naturally enough, rs you arrived
Alone" put in Deacon Simpson.

candidate, is OF a retiring disposition,
and desired me to see you first and give
him time to prepare for the interview. /"
"Where is he?" in chorus cried
Deacons Simpson, Simpson and
Grubb, looking with common impulse
toward the curtain.
The Stranger followed their glances.
"You are quite right" he calmly an
swered. my friend is there. Ex-
cuse me, gentlemen"
He dashed behind the curtain. A
low clicking noise was heard for a
moment, and her the drapery was
suddenly drawn aside.
An exclamation Of surprise broke
from tho thves dascons. They saw an
improvised reading-desk at the end OF
the apartment, behind which, in a
thoughtful attitude, sat distinguished
looking man.
"Gentlemen, " briskly cried Mr.. Rog-
ers, uncopsciously assuming the air of a
travelling Snowman, II have the distin-
guished pleasure of introducing to you
the Rev, Mr.. Dummeigh."
The deacons arose with much gravity
and bowed very stifiy.
Eve welcome you, sir, to Byesville, +"
said Deacon Simpson, with q dignifed
air.
"And extend, sir, the right hand of
fellowship" added Deacon Simpson.
Fright hand Of fellowship" echoed
Deacon Grub.
To this cordial greeting the distin-
guished-looking figure ut the table
vouchsafed no response; his attitude of
profound meditation renamed unchang-
ed. Somewhat taken aback by this
frigid reception, the worthy deacons,
after q moments hesitation, turned an
inquiring look upon Mr.. John Rogers.
"Ah," said that gentleman, in a reas-
surfing tone, II see 1 must explain. Let
me- do so as briefly as possible. Our
clerical friend here is not, as you sup
pose, a being of flesh and blood, but a
creature of my W invention"
This astounding revelation had a
startling effect upon the deacons. They
simultaneously arose, with the evident
intention OF inspecting the figure at
close quarters, but Mr.. Rogers checked
them.
Gone moment, gentlemen" he said.
After | have finished my explanation,
! shall be most happy to exhibit the
figure and its workings to you. You
may not be aware of it, but [ am an in
%ventor of considerable repute, although
this Is my first effort in this direction.
The idea, however of such a mechanical
figure has long possessed me. My
father was a Methodist minister, and in
my boyhood we were obliged to change
our residence so often that I grew to
look upon him us a sort of peripatetic
machine. And this gave me the notion
OF an automaton which would fulfill
most of the requirements of the average
clergyman. The idea grew upon me,
and | gradually enlarged it's scope until
you see before you now the perfected
fruit Of my imagining"
He paused, with a dramatic gesture
toward the figure. The three deacons
were listening with breathless attention.
Having thus, !" he continued, "briehy
touched upon the conception of the
clericomotor, l will now proceed to <
plain its merits and its workings. In
the first place, you are aware that the
popular church of to-day is the success
full one. And the successful church can
only be erected on a sound financial
basis. Look around you" he suddenly
cried, with q grandiose sweep of his
arm, lat the successful churches, where
the pews command gilt-edged premi-
ums, and the tinkling of the silver as it
falls into the contributions box browns
the loudest notes of the pealing organ ~
Carried away by his eloquence, Dea-
cons Simpson, Simpson, and Grubb
stared wildly abou. the room as if the
edifice alluded to were actually within
sight.
What constitutes their prime attrac-
tion?" he continued. us it the sound
ness of their theology or the breadth of
their Christianity? No, gentlemen no!
1t is the popular clergyman, with his
glittering platitudes and his resembling
rhetoric. But the demand for these
paving cards is so great that the mar
ket price has been raised far beyond
the reach of ordinary congregations,
until it lies within the power of only
the wealthiest churches to secure them.
It is here that the clericomoter comes
into play. By means OF it I place
within the reach of the humblest con-
gregat;on an attraction of the strongest
form"
He checked his voluble address, and
wiped the perspiration from his face.
The deacons took advantage of this mo-
mentary gap to gather their scattered
senses.
"Bnt how" queried Deacon Simpson,
"do you supply the brains? ?"
lf@fU AnI fha yosoa9U o5IoJ noo.n-
Simpson.
"An' the gesturin'?" concluded Deacon
Grub.
Nothing easier" said the inventor.
"You are, of course, familiar with the
principles Of the photograph. I will
frankly state that l have adopted this
idea-in an improved form, OF course
in constructing the clericomotor." He
approached the automaton. "Now,
gentlemen" he continued, IF you will
give me your close attention I will show
you how the figure is operated"
The deacons crowded around him in
open-mouthed expectancy. He went
on glibly:
"By pressing upon the right-hand
button at the back of the coat, a trap
door, you observe, flies open between
the shoulder blades. into this recepta-
Gle l slide this prepared electrotype
plate. By pressing upon the left-hand
button I close the trap-door. Nov, if
you will cast your eyes at the calf ofthe
left leg, you will see a s1nsll projecting
rod. To this I attach an ordinary
crank-thus."
Sulting the action to the word, he
placed the handle in position and
turned it vigorously. The result was
marvellous. The figure arose from its
sitting posture in q dignified and natur-
al manner, said in a powerful though