The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1886-06-26

him.
81 must ask you to excoos my in
troodin," this gentleman said, advanc-
ing and bowling.
"Certainly, Sir" 1 said, "take a
seat"
"Ah, SIR" he said, but remained
standing, Il beg you TO allow me, as
chairman of the selectmen of Bunk
vile, to welcome you among us,
"Welcome me?" l thought. ezra
cious! Did the town magnates always
extend formal welcome to the guests
of Spotts tavernn'
1t gives me pleasure, sir, he contin-
ued, ''to do it and I'm glad that you
have the fortushus circumstance to be
| obleeged ter stop over among us. Yes,
sir, your Honor. | give you the wei
kim of the place. ."
Thank you,' 1 said. He proceeded
to say:
''You dew me a high an mighty
honor to tarry in our midst, noble sir.
1t is airly yit, bein' only six an half,
| and this evenin' my woman has a
party, an would you go? You will
meet all of our big folks, for l insure
you that no other'll be asked. VIII you
| not 90, noble sir?"
l told him that his courtesy was
simply overwhelming and | could not
| resist the invitation. But my evening
such an occasion.
mo consequence, sir; no conse-
quence," he said. "The honor of your
presence will more than recompensate
| that!'
''But, Mr.. Briggs" 1 said, 81 am a
stranger, and it will"
80, no, no." he interrupted. awe
have all heard of you"
Before l could ask him to explain when
and where he had ever heard of me,
he began to walk backward toward the
door. arrived at which he informed me
that he would call for me in an hour.
l went on with my supper and was just
eating the last morsel of berry-pie when
l was startled by a stick being pushed
cautiously through the window-shade.
That boy again! l was preparing to
arise and drive him away when there
came gentle knock at the door,
/ said Come in," and there entered a
tall individual, dressed in black, with
the whitest of dickies and sleekest OF
beavers. He advanced slowly. Iarose
to receive him. In solemn voice he
said:
Permit me to introduce myself to
your noble self-,Rev. Mr.. Whitney,
pastor of the Congregational Church,
at your service"
Feeling it my duty to return the in.
PRODUCTION, began:
"Thank you, sir, my name is Al
He interrupted me with:
"Your name is familiar, sir. | am
very glad to meet you" And he shook
hands with me, then he took the chair
which 1 offered. l was about to say
that it was a stormy day, but he fore
stalled me.
Il suppose that this is weather some
thing like you have at home,'' he said.
Thinking that he knew that l was
from Boston, and supposing that the
people of Southern New Jersey re-
garded Boston as hyperborean, simply
acquiesced. He proceeded with perfect
stream of conversation, speaking of
the climate of northern Europe, of the
Greek Church, of sundry other matters,
never, however, committing himself.
| could not add a word; he did all the
talking. For half an hour he kept at
it, then he was interrupted by little
gentleman in gray, who came briskly
in, and after introducing himself as DR..
Biglow, cordially invited me to come
to his house and spend the night. Be-
fore | could answer him, he caught
sight of little current of steam that
was coming through the hole in my
window shade. Hestepped softly across
the room, lifted the shade and disclosed
nine faces at the window.
"Well, well, boysr' he said. "This
is Insulting to his Highness. Jump
down and go away"
Letting the shade fall to place again,
he said with ripping laugh:
Every body is so curious to seeyou,
81 should Judge" I said, ''that your
people very rarely see strangers
Fact, sir; such strangers as you are
never seen here. Shall l have you with
me tonight"
told him of my promise to Mr..
Briggs and of my fear of offending Mr..
Spott by leaving, and then kindly re-
fused,
"But you must call on me, them" he
said. ''My wife and have only been
married week" (here he exchanged
smiles with the clergyman), land ii
will please her very much"
told him if remained in the place
during the next day, l would call.
After lingering over my bear-skin coat,
and telling me that they had but little
nice Russian seal (D in this country,
he excused himself, saying that he had
a patient to visit, but would be in at
Mrs. Briggs party. To my relief the
Rev. Whitney left with him. After
they had gone Mr.. Spott came for the
tea dishes.
1.-The parsons a very plain man, "
he observed. "He's so great in the
pulpit You'd oughter heered his ser.
mon las Saba day He took the
10th Psalm an expounded it verse by
verse. Sir, it was glorious! But, OF
course, you don't believe his way, an
80 faint as agreeable to you"
He took up the platter of dishes, and
began to back out as Mr. Briggs had
done, at the same time apologizing foi
not having done it before, but really
he hadn't known that was the way to
do till Briggs had learnt him. Plainly
he had never walked backward before,
for just as he reached the door, his heel
! oo,rht in N rpor and ba foil ,Nro .tro n