Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1886-12-08
THE OLD PASTOR.

Yes, things in the church are dull
all at standstill, so to speak. Par
son Miles ought to spur up little.'
john and | were sitting on the front
porch, Sabbath afternoon. He was
smoking his pipe and looking over his
Sunday paper, sometimes reading a
bit TO me, which almost put me ball
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 | said to him:
well, | must say I'm getting tired
of the old thing. Now, when I was st
srencerville, where they've just got a
new minister, there was SO much going
on, and everything so lively There
were all the ladies fixing up the par
sonage, and everybody calling there,
and presents, and the housewarming;
dear me! It all seemed to make so
much good feeling"
"That's it," said John. ssThere's
no feeling at ell here. Parson Miles is
a good enough man, but ne's slow
yes, rather slow. 1t sometimes comes
over me, Maria" then John spoke
lower, though whether it was in fear of
being heard by the leaves that whis-
pered IN the apple trees that shaded
the porch, or by the birds building
their nests there, or by old Carlo that
lay On the mat, is moro than I can
say; but there was nothing else to
hear-"that p'r'aps we need change,
though | wouldn't be the one to start
the idea"
"No, indeed" I said; 'but still he's
been here a long time"
Eyes, and getting a little old. A
younger man, now, would 'Iiven things
up. We could pay him a better sala-
ry and give him a good setting out.
The church is we'll able to do it,
There's no fault to be found with
Brother Miles, though" I said, for
couldn't find it in my heart to hear
him run down.
s'Not bit. It's only that-welI-
only that, p'r'aps his usefulness here
is at an end. What do you say,
Maria, to driving over to hear Parson
futile this evening, just for variety :?
He's moro my style-beats and whacke
away, and wakes folks up"
"udC. SAiu L, CI0dE over 10 RAD
nor?" It was ten miles and more.
eyes," said he, 'I'll hitch up Pran.
Ger. and We can make it an hour"
saw he was little restless, and
rather liked the idea of a, ride behind
the colt, so made no objection. As
we got near Radnor there were lots Of
folks On the way to church.
"Great many out for evening wor-
ship" I said eOur folks don't turn
turn out this we'll"
"Parson Tuttle's man that
draws" said John; ''keeps up the in
terest, you see."
There was quite crowd in the en-
try, and as we were waiting for some
one to show us to g. seat, We overheard
q man say:
"You'll hear something worth hear
ing tonight. Mr.. I couldn't get hold
of the name, though l tried) is going
to preach"
was afraid John had set his heart
on hearing Mr.. futile, but as far as I
was concerned, didn't mind hearing
g. stranger, especially if he was like
they said, for they were keeping right
On.
He's a strong speaker, yes,
ytrong-that's Just the word. We're
always glad when weget him on an ex-
change. Wonder is, g. man like bim's
let stay SO long in a country living.
None of your hop and-i jump sort
don't waste any force hammering out
sparks but he goes at it and drives in
the truth square and solid, and then
cllnches is-yes, sir, he just clinches
it-that's the very word"
| could see the folks were expecting
something g. little more than common
by the way they looked as they set.
tied into their seats. | was looking
about little, trying to see If ybody
knew was there, for knew a few OF
the Radnor folks Though what with
running to Eliza James or to Susan's,
now they're married, and something
or other always ailing with one or
other of the children, and the work OF
home, it's a wonder | ever keep track
of anything else) and didn't look
toward the pulpit at all till l heard
the minister's voice, and then almost
jumped from my seat as l stared at
him. Then [ turned and stared at
John, and he stared at me. It was
Parson Miles as sure as you live!
II it hadn't been in church I should
"a laughed right out, to see Johns
blank look, But sobered down, and
then 1 couldn't help seeing how those
people listened. 1t was very plain
they considered Parson Miles no such
small doings; and it set me to noticing
him myself q good deal sharper than
I'd been doing of late. tried to look
at him and to listen TO him as if I'd
been somebody else beside myself. |
couldn't feel to say he was very
handsome man, but I made up nv