The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1885-06-04

ana 1Oremost among those VINO crieu
with one accord: "Great is Rev. Mar
cissus Picayune?"
AS to choosing between himself and
sisterhood About this time the
ladies OF Hillsburg, always on ~hospit-
able thoughts intent" conceived the
idea of having grand picnic. Accord
ingly arrangements were all made.
Many who had become somewhat
faint hearted in the race for the parson
with renewed hope prepared their
toilets for the occasion, resolving to do
or die. Rev. Narcissus formed like
resolve, and so did Matilda Ann. Thus
are entangled the threads of the warp
of life.
Upon arriving at the picnic grounds
the parson found himself. as usual, the
center of attraction. Did he appear
fatigued, dozen fair hands proffered
him refreshment; did he attempt rally
of wit, delighted smiles and musical
laughter testified the appreciation of his
audience.
Yet, ungrateful man, he was not sat-
isfied.
Matilda Ann, on this occasion, had
not Joined the crowd Of worshipers.
She sat apart, conversing languidly but
sweetly with strange young man.
Rev. Narcissus felt his hands clinch,
while q regular John l.. Sullivan spirit
pervaded his being. Not even the din
ner, although. according to the custom
of preachers, he consumed q Beniamin's
mess thereof, restored his equanimity.
Matilda Ann and the stranger were still
hob-nobbing.
Escaping from his admirers, he start
ed for a stroll. The natty little gentle
man was decidedly out of humor.
Scarcely conscious of his surroundings,
he walked on quite briskly. In short
appreciation came to the rescue, and he
quite blamed himself for leaving his be-
loved to the tender mercics Of the
| stranger
Filled with this idea he turned to re-
trace his steps, observing for the first
time, as he did so, bull and his family
grazing near by. Now the parson had
a hatred for bulls, papal or quadruped,
and at once manifested his dislike by
shaking his cane and vociferating
"shoo" at the height of his voice.
Attracted by the noise, the cattle
lifted their heads. The bull, after a
brief survey, trotted leisurely toward
| the little parson, who, although some
what alarmed, manfully stood his
ground.
Thus they confronted each other.
Rev. Narcissus had great faith in the
power of the human eye, especially
| his eye. He now knit his brows upon
the bull in a frown calculated to ami
hilate his bovine majesty. But the bull
did not mind it at all On the contrary,
he "fixed" tine parson with his glitter
ing eye" in style excessively uncom-
Portable to that gentleman, and began
to lash his tail, paw the ground. and
toss his horned head in an extremely
| belligerent manner.
TIE parson thought of Daniel saved
by faith from the lions, and strove to
feel secure; but the bull, continuing
his hostile demonstrations, his courage
sank deep into his boots, while, to
make things even, his hair rose straight
up on his head.
Suddenly the bull, uttering q loud
below, plunged toward HIM. Stand
ing not upon the order OF his going,
4 bhO pun lltOlC Dalo Oh MCAt, aut Vic
bull went after him.
Rev. Narcissus' legs were short, but
they fairly twinkled in the air, almost
converted into wings by his terror. All
the bulls of Bashan faded into insig-
nifcance in comparison with this one
wide-awake, active Texas ranger. With
distended eyes and wildly beating heart
he ran, seeking shelter and finding
none, when who should appear around
beod in the road but Matilda Ann
The parson had no breath to shrek
warning. At this moment, alas he
stumbled and fell, and-luckilv for
him-rolled into the ditch beside the
road.
The bull passed him recklesslv, at
tracted by the scarlet shawl in which
Matilda AIMS fair form was decked.
That aesthetic young lady, casting
her dignifed languor to the winds,
rushed screaming toward the fence, at
pace which would have shamed Maud
S., but barely succeeded in mounting
it, as the bull reached the spot. Thrust
ing his horns in her back, the furious
animal tossed her like feather in the
air.
Rev Narcissus sank back in the ditch,
from whence he was peeping, with q
groan. All was over. Even now he
could hear the bull believing and paw
ing in the road. Doubtless his fair Ma
tilda Ann was being gored to death,
and he dared not move lest he share her
fate. In few moments all was still.
Yenturing to look again. he saw the bull
trotting of to reioin the herd. Crawling
from the ditch, he crept cautiously and
sadly toward the spot, expecting to find
only the lifeless clay of his beloved.
To his intense relief, faint voice
called "Narcissus," and Matilda AIMS
pale face appeared over the top of the
fence.
Forgetting his fatigue, the parson
leaped tho barrier with a bound, and
throwing himself at her feet, he cried :
"Oh, beloved Matilda Ann, by what
miracle art thou saved? Methought
1 saw thee impaled upon those horrid
horns. How hast thou escaped I'M
wounded."
Matilda, much agitated, calculated
family, between her sobs: "The en-
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