The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1884-09-03
The Old Pastor.

"Yes, things in the church is dull-all
at standstill, 30 to speak. Parson Miles
ought to spur up little"
Me and John was sitting on the front
porch Sunday afternoon. He smoking
his pipe and looking over the Sunday
paper, sometimes reading bit to me
which most always put me half asleep,
as is natural enough when there's nothing
to do to keep one awake. But | always
get wide awake when he begins to talk,
so when he said that, says to him:
"Well, must say I'm getting tired of
the same old thing. Now, when was
over to Spencerville, where they've just
got new minister, there was so much
going on and everything so lively. There
was all the ladies fixing up the parsonage,
and everybody calling there, and presents,
and then the house.warming, dear me it
all seemed to make so much good feel
ing"
"That's it," said John. "There's no
feeling at all here. Parson Miles is good
enough man but he's slow-yes rather
slow. 1t sometimes comes over me,
Maria" land then John spoke lower,
though whether it was in fear of being
heard by the leaves that whispered in the
apple tree that shades the porch, or by
the birds building their nest there, or by
old Carlo that lay on the mat, is more
than can say, but there WANT nothing
else to hear) "that p'raps we need a
change, though 1 wouldn't be the one to
start the idea"
"No, indeed" says "but still he's
been here long time"
Yes, and getting little old. A
younger man, now, would 'liven things
up. We could pay him better salary,
and give him good setting out. The
church is well able to do it."
There's no fault to be found with
Brother Miles, thought" says /, for 1
couldn't find it in my heart to run him
down.
"Not bit. It's only well-only
that, p'raps-his usefulness here is at an
end. What do you say, Maria, to us riding
over to hear Parson futile this evening
just fora variety? He's more my style
beats and whacks away and wakes folks
up"
What |" says l. "Clear over to Rad
nor |" 1t was ten miles and more.
eyes," says he. "I'll hitch up Prancer
and we can make it in an hour"
see he was little restless, and rather
| liked the idea of ride after the colt, 80 !
made no objection. As we got near Rad
nor there were lots of folks on the way to
church.
"Great many out for evening worship
says |. "Our folks don't turn out this
WE'LL"
"Parson Tuttle's man that draws"
says John. "Keeps up the interest, you
see"
There was quite crowd in the entry
and, as We were waiting for some one to
show US seat, we overheard man say
you'll hear some thing worth hearing
tonight. Mr.. Il couldn't get hold of the
name though 1 tried), is going to
Preach
was afraid John had set his heart on
hearing Mr.. Tuttle, but IS far as | was
concerned, l didn't mind hearing a
stranger, specially if he was like they
said, for they was keeping right on:
"-He's strong speaker, yes, strong
that's just the word. We're always glad
when we get him on an EXCHANGE. Wen
der is, man like him's let stay so long in
the country living. None of your hop
and jump sort-don't waste no force ham
mering out sparks, but goes at it and
drives in the truth square and solid, and
then he clinches it-yes, sir, he just
clinches it that's the very word"
l could see the folks were expecting
something a little more than common by
the way they looked as they settled into
their seats. | was looking about little
trying to see if anybody knew was there
for | know a few of the Radnor folks
| (though what with running to Eliza James
or to Susan's, now that they're married
and something or other always siling with
one or other of the children, and the work
at home, it's wonder ever keep track
of any thing else) and didn't look toward.
the pulpit at all till heard the ministers
voice, and then | almost jumped from
my seat as | stared at him. Then
turned and stared at John, and he stared
at me.
1t was Parson Miles as sure as you live
If it hadn't a. been in church should a
laughed right out to see Johns blank look
But sobered down, and then | couldn'i
help seeing how those people listened
1t was very lain they considered Parson
Miles no small doings. And it set me To
noticing him myself good deal sharper
than I'd been doing of late. l tried tc
look at him and to listen to him as if I'd
been somebody else besides myself.
couldn't feel to say he was very hand.
some man, but made up my mind you
don't often see more earnest, scholarly
face than his.
Then l noticed the sprinkling of gray
| m his hair and beard and somehow the