Wichita eagle., 1888-01-20
PARSON MAURYS DOUBLE.

! Keith died after long and painful illness.
For more than twenty years be had minis
tered to the spiritual welfare Of the members
Of the Independence Baptist church, and be
was the friend OF every citizen Of the quier
little village. He was, indeed, "a father in
| Israel, y and his loss was deeply felt
1t was q month after the funeral before the
sorrowing deacons met to discuss the ques-
ton Of another pastor.
A minister worthy to wear the mantle and
take up the unfinished work Of Brother
! Keith, these good deacons realized, would be
| hard to find. But some one must be called
! the flock could not remain without shep-
herd.
The meeting was called to order by Deacon
White, who always presided, and after
several minutes of perfect silence the i'm
portant subject was brought up. Several
names were suggested and the merits Of
different ministers discussed without result
AS last Deacon White arose and moved the
election Of Rev. Arthur Maury. None Of
the other deacons present had ever heard Of
the minister in question, but Deacon White
explained that he was the son Of an old
friend and minister, long since dead Briefly
he sketched the life of the young minister
and dvSelt at length on his many Christian
virtues and personal charms The young
man had recently graduated from a school
Of theology, but he possessed wonderful elo-
quence and was circunspect in all things.
The other deacons heltated about placing
the church in charge Of SO young a minister,
but, at last, on the Recommendation Of Deacon
White, they decided to give him trial
The Rev. Arthur was at once notified
by his friend Deacon White of his call, and q
few days later he answered it in person. He
met tho deacons at the home of Deacon White
that evening, and in a very brief time he had
won their love and admiration. He was all
that Deacon White represented. and more,
and the good deacons went home reioiced
that they been so fortunate in the selection Of
q spiritual leader and adviser
Next day was Sunday and tho church was
crowded to its Utmost capacity to see and
hear the new minister. There was half
audible whisper of approval when he arose to
open the services, and the congregation OBJ
tanned its first full view of the pastor He
announced bis text, and the congregation
was all attention. OF fine personal appear
ance, graceful in speech and gesture, the
young minister held the undivided attention
of his hearers His eloquence was wonderful,
and the hearts Of tho Christian people were
stirred as never before, and the words of
truth uttered by the speaker made q lasting
impression on all who heard him.
When the service was ended the large con-
gregstion pressed forward to congratulate
the new minister. In less than week Mr..
injury was known and loved by every mem
Der Of his congregation. Even the good
Geaco1,c rybN fooroI he To for
important a work, confessed that they could
find no fault with him. Ho appeared de-
lighted with his work, and did not leave the
village for several weeks. But after he had
become familiar with the people and with
tho work he was expected to do, no began to
absent himself for two or three days in
the middle Of every week. Where he went
no one inquired at first, but soon the village
gossips began to ask what it was that called
him away with such regularity One of the
good deacons then ventured to ask the place
and ,object Of tho young pastors weekly
visits. Mr. Maury said something about
business and recreation, and at once entered
upon discussion Of tho best means of paving
the church debt. the good deacon had failed
to learn what he wanted to know, but he en-
tertained not the slightest suspicion against
tho minister.
The visits continued, and in little while
the gcssips learned that the young minister
went east, to some place unknown, one week
and the next his journey would be to the
west.
HE is probably visiting college friends or
relatives" said Deacon White, when the
matter was mentioned to him. anyway,
where he goes or for what purpose, is his
private business"
This did not silence the tongues of the
gossips, and they reasoned that Mr.. Maury
should at least let the members Of his church
know his whereabouts when he was absent
from the village Even the deacons, the
staid and exactirg pillars Of the church, be-
gan to talk oonfdentialiy among themselves,
and when at their next Monday evening
meeting the young minister asked for two
weeks leave Of absence, they exchanged sig
niicant slances. The leave of absence was
granted but after the minister left the room
it was decided that one of the deacons would
follow him ON his proposed journey and
learn, If possible, its object. This Christian
and charitable resolve was defeated, for the
minister left On the first train that night, and
the station agent did not remember to what
point he purchased o ticket.
Independence was one of those quiet Til-
lagos where unusual events never happen and
sensations arc unknown.
Two days after the departure of the Rev.
Arthur Maury O woman closely yelled
alghted from the train from the east and
went directly to the hotel Soon after Ger
arrival she sent a message to the landlord to
come to her room When that gentleman
entered she announced. with an emphasis
which carried conviction with it, that she
was Mrs. Arthur Maury and was in search OF
her husband, who, she said, had deserted her
and she was informed had married again.
The landlord did not faint or cry cut; in
fact, he did not utter a sound he was
speeches. He stood like enc in q dream.
while the women vehemently demanded to
know tie whereabouts of her uufaithful hus-
hand
'rll-ru tell him. Who did you saw was
your hpsband" stammered the ho-risei
landlord.
Tell him nothing. Where is hel I'll not
let him escape NE again. Arthur Maury is
my husbands name He is preaching here.
l have heard Fine preacher be is, the vii
lainI' And the woman stamped her foot
with rage and impotence.
The landlord blindly groped his way down
" the Office. closely followed BY the strange
. oman, who continued to denounce the
popular young minister in unIreasured terms
When they reached the Office the train
from the west had arrived, and another
strange gnesr had Just entered The latter
YVES also a WOMAN. somewhat, older than the
first, and in her eyes there was a look which
meant mischief fer some one
Can you direct me to the Office ef-of my
of Mr. Arthur Aauryf
s'Greas heavens,7 exclaimed the now thor