The Warner sun. (Warner, Brown Co., Dakota [S.D.]) 1885-1???, 1886-03-26

hO WaS WdlCou upon by TWO QeacOns
and several church members, to say
nothing of being interviewed by vari,
Gus or his acquaintance and neigh
bors, all of whom were anxious to as.
certain if there was any truth in the
rumor oftheg grave charge made against
his pastor.
Deacon Brown, though somewhat
startled at first by a result so little
anticipated, took all this with his usu-
al calmness and serenity. He was very
retlcent on the subject asserting that
he had said nothing that he was not
both able and willing to prove when
the proper time came to do SO. His
interview with Elder Wakeman was
3 private one, but it was noticeable
at it's close that the countenance OF
the latter had a serene, almost smil-
ing aspect. But as the elder took no
measures to prevent the meeting of in
~yestigation that had been called, no
particular Importance was attached
to this. He didn't seem disposed to
talk much about it, merely saving
that he thought the deacon ought to
have an opportunity to prove or ex-
plain what he had every reason to be-
lieve he had said about him.
The meeting in question was held at
the vestry, which was filled to it's ut
most capacity before the two chiefly
interested, Elder Wakeman and Dea.
con Brown, entered, and who appear.
ed to be the least excited ones present.
Mr.. Quinby vas there, full ofimport-
ance, and with an exultation OF look
and manner only thinly yelled by the
gravity which overspread his counte-
nance. He was standing by the stove,
the center OF an interesting and curious
circle, when the two entered, but he
avoided meeting the eye of either.
At the motion If Elder Wakeman,
one of the deaconsN Nailed the meeting
to order, briefly explained its object,
the serious nature of the imputation
under which their pastor rested, and
appealed to Deacon Brown to put a
stop to the talk it had occasioned, by
either denying OF proving the asser-
ton.
Rising to his feet, Deacon Brown
looked around upon the excited and
curious faces that were directed to-
ward him.
Behold, brethren, how much mis-.
chief the tongue car do! / said a few
words to one Of you, under a pledge
Of secrecy. | think it was under a
pledge of secrecy, Brother Quimby?"
81 considered it to be my duty to
tell what you told me,' said the indi-
vidual addressed, turning red.
kfNnEY n xna ~ ha oaoI1 II 60 H.
ing performed your duty SO thor
oughly,' continued the deacon; "a
very painful duty, as it is easy to see!
/ understand yousaid that | told you
Elder Wakeman stole his sermonfrom
a book in my possession; are you
sure | used the word STOLE Brother
Quimby?"
"You said that you had a book
that had every word of it in! Where's
the difference, I'd like to know was
Mr.. Quimby's prompt and triumphant
rejoinder.
There might be none at all, and
again, there might be @ great DEAL"
responded the deacon.
ibid use the language ascribed to me
by Mr.. Quimby," continued Deacon
Brown, addressing the rest of the as
semblage; moved thereto by his evil
dent desire that | should say some
thing to our pastors ~discredit, and.
without a thought that it would lead
to this trouble and excitement. / de-
clare, furthermore, that l have seen o.
book containing every word of his SER
NOR In Elder Wakeman's own library.
/ have taken the liberty of sending
for it, and will offer it as evidence as
to the truth of my statement"
Taking q ponderous volume from
the hands of his son, who had just en-
tered, Deacon Brown laid it on the
table before the presiding officer, who,
carefully adjusting his spectacles, open
ed it.
Giving one glance at it's outspread
pages, he raised his eyes to the serene
and kindly face opposite.
"Why this is a-a dictionaryp'
every true responded Deacon
Brown. "But you'll find every word
of Elder Wakeman's sermon in It'll
you look long enough"
III must confess, however," added
the deacon BIS DON rs the general
laughter and astonishment had sub
sided a little, glancing smilingly across
the table at Elder Wakeman, that
there are not many that can string
them together so as to form such an
interesting and instructive discourse"
Here the elder and deacon shook
hands, which al the signal for a gen.
eral Misunderstanding, congratulations
and good feeling. No one was dis
satisfied, with the exception of Mr..
Quimby, who, mortified and confound-
ed at the unexpected turn affairs had
koLar loI clr,L frnp, 4bo ronu