Crawford avalanche. (Grayling, Mich.) 1879-19??, 1885-06-04
A PIcAYuNE IN PERIL.
BY MEMO.

my bride is the church," compass
sionatalv nnnnnnaad tha- -Rav..N .Narcis-
sus Picayune, looking with fatherly
tenderness upon the upturned faces OF
his audience.
The scene was in the lecture-room
of the church of Hillsburg, to which
the reverend gentleman had been re-
Gently called by the almost unanimous
vote of the congregation. 1t is true, q
few old fogies were contented with the
management and ways of his predeces-
sor, kind old Mr.. Bonnspuer, but they
were decided minority.
The women, dear creatures, who, al
though commanded to keep silent in
the church, have no such embargo laid
upon their speech at home and abroad,
discussed all the pros and cons of the
subject. The young ladies especially
insisted that Hillsburg needed an ener-
getlc person, full of vim; in short, q
young man.
"For," they argued, "if in politics
and the state young blood and ideas
march of progress, why not also in re-
ligion?"
For once the middle-aged spinsters
and widows did not ebuke the forward
ness of those whom they usually called
"chits of girls"
So the matter was decided. Old Mr..
Bonnspuer was snubbed so persever'
ingly that even his eyes, slow to see
evil, awakened to the fact that he had
worn his welcome in Hillsburg thread
bare. Wounded to the heart that those
whom he had loved and served through
evil report and good report should
now in his old age desire to be rid OF
him, he rendered his resignation, which
having been Immediately accepted he
departed, sincerely mourned by few
friends, who would have been perfectly
willing to jog along the narrow way
following his sure if not rapid guild
ance.
Being thus rid of the old love, the
congregation naturally lost no time il
desiring a man young in years but ole
| in wisdom, who could hate SIN but love
o sinner, himself an embodiment o.
every virtue, the good people of Hills
burg were unconsciously seeking {
Solon and Solomon combined.
Naturally, some time elapsed before
such a one could be found. At length
however, Rev. Narcissus Picayune wai
invited to occupy the pulpit so Ions
| filed by Mr.. Bonnspuer.
Youth, at least, he possessed. /
other scarcely less important qualifica
tions were lacking, this was not ap
parent to the partial eyes of his judges
since to sanctimonious air and q gill
tongue he united unbounded assurance
and a thorough conviction of his owl
superiority, mental and moral, to tn,
common herd, which placed him com
fortably beyond the arrows of advers
Having accepted the call, in a fe,
weeks he was domiciled at Hillsburg
Like the great Cesar, he came, he saw
he conquered. Never had there beel
such stir in the parish. Truly,
great awakening" said the sober head
Of families, as their daughters forsool
the allurements of the dance and tn
roller-rink to drink from the Pierial
spring of the Rev. Narcissus' elc
quence.
The young men were not quite so en-
thusiastic; but, as they speedily dis
covered that depreciatory hint of th
newcomer was sure to provoke storr
of indignation from his fair adherents
they also went over to the MAJORITY
all appearances, at least.
Many were the innovations made b
the new parson. All were eagerly aC
cepted. Mr.. Bonnspuer had been cor
tent with Sunday and semi-weekl
services. This ardent young neophyt
insisted upon having q service twic
daily. AS heating the main buildin
proved rather expensive, he decided I
hold forth in the lecture-room adjoir
ing the church. 1t was here that b
made the remark which opens tn
veracious chronicle.
Quite often lately it had fiashe
across the empty vastness of his min
that the femaleeIement IN his congr'
cation largely predominated.
Could it be that devotion TO the ma
and not the cause of religion inspire
them? Perish the thought What
misfortune to be endowed with sue
powers Of fascinationl What, shoul
any earthly love usurp the heart d
voted TO 0 spiritual bride?
In the still hours of the night he r
solved to state his intentions gently b'
: firmly on the morrow.
disappointment will be better tbs
. suspense for the poor creatures" sa