The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1886-06-25
miscellaneous.
SILAS YIELDS TRICK.
How he Scared the Old Man and Won
Wife.

SILAS wELD'S TRICK.
How he Scared the Old Man and Won a
Wife.
When Robin Sperry went down to Luck
dan to preach he had only one old friend
there, but he made great impression on his
hearers, and in the "revivas" that followed
his arrival great many very singular things
were reported of him-amongst others that
he had driven the devil out of old James
Barrow, the notorious drunkard of the place ;
and that people had seen him-the devl-run
down the hill and jump into the lake. The
truth ofthe matter was that Robin was SEN
sational young preacher, and that he had set
people thinking. But talking and exaggera-
ton went on, and the rumor grew, and the
church was filled as it had not been for years.
Walking home in the evening after one of
the brightest meetings of the course, arm-ln-
arm with his college friend, Silas Weld,
Robin heard more of what was reported of
him than he had heard before.
81 am sorry" he said, 81 think such things
hurt religion, and also hurt the preacher of
whom they are said"
"You are not hurt by it yet, anyhow" said
Sias. "Margorie does not believe in this
nonsense, but she calls you the best preacher
she ever heard"
"She's very kind, I'm sure, said the young
minister. "Who is she?"
"She's the girl I'm engaged to, Robin" said
Silas. "You must have noticed her. She's
the prettiest girl in the place. She sits in the
third pew on the right, and wears n purple
velvet hat with tea roses on it."
"Oh, yes, I've seen her" said Robin land
she is very pretty girl indeed and so that's
Margorie!'
1--WE are very fond of each other" said
Sas, "but her father and are not SO fond
! am going TO call there this evening. Will
you go with me ?"
"It's late for call-half past nine," said
Robin.
mo doubt" replied Silas "but l have to
go when can. Her father is away tonight
There's meeting of the Agricultural Asso-
citation at the hotel. They generally stay
until midnight, so this is my time"
"You are responsible for the hour" said
Robin. II shall not say anything more about
it. Take me, if you think best, or leave me,
if you think better, when you get to the
door we have been friends too long, not to be
quite frank with each other"
"Oh want you to know Margorie," said
Silas and so, with much more talk he led his
friend, by certain roads and lanes, to the door
of substantial farm house, through the win
81 think it's likely she's in the sitting
room," said Silas opening gate which led
through the orchard, and making his way to
q low door, shaded by porch, at which he
knocked in rather peculiar manner; and in
an instant the door flew open, and there
stood Margore herself, pretty picture with
the lamp light glittering on her golden hair.
"Margorie,' said the young man, II have
brought my friend, Robin Sperry, to see you ;
Miss Garnet, Mr.. Sperry." Said Margorie "lm
very glad. Walk in, please, Silas, I'm very
glad to see you, you know; but pa will not
be late tonight; he said so. Pa is little
particular, Mr.. Sperry He was an old sea
captain once, and l think that makes him so,
and he isn't very friendly yet to Silas."
ave explained that to Robin" said Silas.
"Then he'll not think me rude if l say,
don't stay long," said Margoric. "Pa would
be glad to have you call on him Mr.. Sperry,"
added Margorie. HE admires your preach.
ing and 50 do ].
"Thank you" said Robin; II think it is
very kind in you to tell me So"
Robin said, THANK you," again and they
sat together around the fire-the first of the
season-and talked very pleasantly. Margorie
was hospitable, and cider and doughnuts,
which neither of the young men was yet tas-
tidious enough to despise, were brought from
the store-room. Robin told Margorie that
should he permanently settle in the place his
mother would come to keep house for him.
And Margorie declared that she would be
very glad.
II love elderly ladies" she said, "and you
know | haven't any one. mother, aunt, or
grandmother. l hope your mother will like
me-"
Robin said that he knew she would, and lie
thought also that il would be we'll for Mar
gorie If she had such wise counsellor; and
over their cider and cake they fell to talking
very pleasantly and merrily. In the midst Of
this slow dumping on the broad path be-
came audible. Suddenly the pleasant chat
was interrupted. Margorie clasped her
plump hands, and Silas turned red.
ut is pa" whispered Margorie. ooh, l
told you he'd be in early, Silas. Hide your
self Run into the store-closet-run Poor
pa has been taking too much cider-I know
it by his walk. He always does at the agri-
cultural meeting. He'll stop at nothing
Hide yoursef-hide in the store-closet."
"You see, Robin" said Silas, doubtfully,
che promised to kill me if he found me in his
house again-and Margorie is nervous about
it-come."
Thank you," said Robin, "go yourself if
you like" o.
And Margorie who had never ceased
wringing and clasping her hands, pushed
Silas into the closet, and turned TO face her
father, who now stumbled in with rather
irregular steps, and with face as red as one
of his own prize beets after good boiling
"Oh, pa" she cried, hypocrtically, show
nice and early you are And here is the
minister waiting to see you"
"How do you do, dominic ?" said Mr..
Garnet, Proud I'm sure Been to the
agricultural meetin One of my yearly doo-
ties. Sit down sit down. Glad to see you
Fill your glass. ! mean get out something
to eat, Margorie."
II have, pa" said Margorie. "Don't you
see the pitcher?" And she handed him a
glass.
"Sweet cider |" said MIR. Garnet contemptu-
ously. "Well, boys and girls, women and
dominies like it, suppose. How's religion
comm onP Pretty brisk ?"
Robin answered as best he could, and cast
an anxious glance toward the store-c closet
"Sit down. Sit down, dominic" said Mr..
Garnet. make yourself at home. I've
wanted to talk to you this good while. They
say you can drive the devil out of folks. Now
tell me how does it get in 'em. Tell me
that"
Mr. Garnet was very far from sober and