The Palatka daily news. (Palatka, Fla.) 1884-1888, 1885-12-25

Harper's for January.
4 clergyman in a southern state was
on bis way to preach 4 funeral sermon.
As he was passing the house of q widow
lady, u member Of his congregation, she
ran out and stopped linn, saying, as they
had just slaughtered their hogs, she had
put up a few pounds Of sausage as a
present, adding that, as she had put it
in double paper packets, she thought it
would not soil bis clothes He thanked
her earnestly for her kindness, and rode
on, having put the parcel in his pocket.
Al the time he was officiating at the
/ crave q large, half-starved hound kept
snufffng around him, sometimes APP
preaching alarmingly near, attracted by
/ the scent OF the fresh meat. AS the de-
/ ceased was a man Of some prominence
there was a considerable crowd collected
and great mourning and lamentation
came from the family group, 50 no one
! paid any attention to the movements Of
the animal, but all noticed with con-
cern-for he was beloved by his congro-
gation-the great pallor Of the clergy
man and the beads of perspiration stand
/ ing upon his brow, and they began to
whisper to each other that Mr.. Il
must be ILL.,
After the interment they all proceeded
| TO the church, where the funeral sermon
was to be preached. Just before enter
/ ing. Mr.. H. turned around 10 ascer-
tain the whereabouts Of his tornentor,
Wien 10? there he was, not far from
him, but the crowd prevented him from
approaching too closely. Just at this
moment some one gave the poo: creature
a cruel kick, which sent him off howl
ing, When the minister reached his
/ pUlDIt-one Of those Old fashioned af-
fairs assembled by a short, steep nigh, Of
steps-he breathcd more freely. He was
/ just about to commence his duties when
the sexton, good old man, came noise
lessly up the steps with 4 slip paper
in his hand, which he wished to give to
! to the minister, bat who was unnoticad
by that gentleman. lie gently twitchel
his coat to attract his attention 4 thrill
Of horror passed over the unhappy
preacher at the dreadful thought tuat
the dog had entered unseen in the crowd,
and was now about to take forcibie pos
session of the sausage before the whole
assembly; SO, hoping to drive him away.
he kicked back cautiously but vigorous
" and struck the old man in the breast.
who rolled down The steps.
Seeing the look OF surprise and alarm
on the faces Of the audience, lac staln-
mered out, with crimson face: i must
explain to you, my brethren, what must
seem my Incorporate conduct. \ friend
came QUITO me, as was passing her
house, with a small package Of sausage
for NE to carry home in my pocket; but
ever since I dismounted from my horse
tins old dog''-pointing behind him 10
the PROSTATE sexton, but without look
/ ing round-'has been following me, and
at length came into the pulpit, and has
been tugging at my coat, determined 10
get the sausage from nay pocket"
At this moment the sexton, little
stunned aud little hurt, arose from the
floor, and the minister IT a glance took
it all in, stared wildly at him, took q
drink Of water, turned very pale, and
sat down, overwhelmed with constTna-
ton.
Ex-senator Tabor, who is at the Fifth
Avenue Hotel, New York, wears dia-
/ monds enough to make Il kings crown.
His shirt front blazes with big stones.
He has ring mounted with Jewel as
big as q chestnut. His cuff buttons are
about an inch square. Of gold, studded
with small gems. He must wear. all
told, $50, 600 worth OF jewels. He al
ways takes them off and puts them in
the hotel safe before going out at night.