Little Falls transcript. [volume] (Little Falls, Morrison County, Minn.) 1876-1894, 1884-10-17
Naturally enough, as you arrived

I &
Where Is he?o 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 then the drapery was
suddenly drawn aside. r ne
An exclamation Of surprise broke
from the three deacons. They saw an
improyised reading-desk at the end OF
the apartment. behind which, in q
thoughtful attitude, sat a distinguished
looking man. 45s2- &&7@s
Gentlemen" briskly cried Mr.. Rog-
ers, unconsciously assuming the air of a
travelling Snowman, " have the distin~
guished pleasure of introducing to you
the Rev, Mr.. Dummeigh." ~
The deacons arose with much gravity
and bowed very stiffiy. ~ +
"We welcome you, sir, to Byesville, I"
said Deacon Simpson, with digniied
air.
"And extend, sir, the right hand of
fellowship" added Deacon Simpson.
"Right hand OF fellowship" echoed
Deacon Grubb. =.
To this cordial greeting the distin-
guished- looking figure at the table
vouchsafed no response; his attitude Of
profound meditation renamed unchang-
ed. Somewhat taken aback by this
frigid reception, the worthy deacons,
after moments hesitation, turned an
inquiring look upon Mr.. John Rogers.
"Ah," said that gentleman, in a reas
suring tone, II see must explain. Let
me do SO as briefly as possible. Our
clerical friend here is not, as you sup
pose, q being of flesh and blood, but
creature Of my own invention"
This astounding revelation had a
startling etfectupon the deacons. They
simultaneously arose, with the evident
intention of inspecting the figure at
close quarters, but Mr.. Rogers checked
them. ,,
"One moment, gentlemen" he said.
After T. have finished my explanation,
shall be most happy to exhibit the
figure and it's 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 mechanical
figure has long possessed me. My
father was a Methodist minister. and in
my boyhood we We're obliged to change
our residence so often that / grew to
look upon him us a sort Of peripatetic
machine. And this gave me the notion
Of an autonlaton which would fulfill
most of the requirements of the average
clergyman. The idea grew. upon me.
and gradually enlarged its scope until
you see before you now the perfected
fruit Of my imagining"
He paused, with q dramatic gesture
toward the figure. The three ,deacons
| were listening with breathless attention.
Having thus" he continued, "briefy
| touched upon the conception of the
clericomotor, I will now proceed to ex.
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 sound financial
basis. Look around you," be suddenly
cried, with grandiose sweep of his
arm, cat the successful churches, where
the pews command gilt-edged premi-
ums, and the tinkling of the silver as it
falls into the contribution box browns
the loudest notes of the pealing organ ?"
Carried away by his eloquence, Dea-
cons Simpson, Simpson, and Grubb
| J., 4,
edihce alluded to were actually within
sight: gEs
"What constitutes their prime attrac-
tion ?" he continued. lis it the sound
ness of their theology or the breadth of
their Christianity? No, gentlemen; no
It is the popular clergyman, with his
glittering platitudes and his resounding
| rhetoric. But the demand for thes g
paying 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-
gregation an attraction Of the strongest
form" *~.. o.
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. r. 49,
"Bnt how" queried Deacon Simpson,
edo you supply the brains ?"
"And j., the ! voice? 2" added Deacon
Simpson. ~ ..~,t+
can the gesturin' ?" concluded Deacon
Grubb. e, Il IA. 3; a. $..@.> i, "a
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---irl 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: s.5 ii =. s.-x !.
"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 slide this prepared electrotype
plate. By pressing upon the left-hand
button ] close the trap-door. Now, il
you will cast your eyes at the calf Of the
left leg; You will see small protesting
rod. To this I attach an rdinary
crank thus. = .5 t.s:
Suiting the action to the word, he
placed the handle in position and
turned it vigorously. The result was
rs arvalor1a S THE fip1,ra arose from IFS