Devils Lake inter-ocean. (Devils Lake, Ramsey Co., Dakota [N.D.]) 1884-1905, 1888-02-18

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ten us all SO much about you, that the whole
parish feel as if they knew YOU, though there
isn't one Of us that has ever set eyes on you
Up to this moment all that Halsey had in
tended was to explain b situation, and to
offer to supply his friends place by reading
some Of the sermons with which his short
hand note book was ~abundantly supplied.
Now the idea struck him that he might do his
FREUD q good turn by actually ~personatins
him. The deacon had just shown him that
this was possible. Why not do it, His self
esteem told him that he could make q favore
able impression upon these country peo-
pie, and that a report would be seut
to Dr.. Corcoran Of the athletic ap-
pearance Of the Rev. Andrew Steele,
which would secure his friend the posi-
ton he wished. Personally, tho whole thing
appeared to him in q ludicrous light. 1t
would be another racy experience OF life, and
would make a good story for his Bohemian
club, The FIRES Lances.' There was a risk
Of detection, but that only added fascination
to the enterprise. His decision was made in
q twinkl!ng, and he shook hauds with the
deacon with quite q ministerial air.
IL.
~ am going to take you to our house. y tho
deacon remarked, as he led TIalsey to his
horse and blackboard, which were hidden ina
the track. "You SEQ it rather tires the doc
tor to have company put up at the parson-
age"
81 am glad Of that" thought Ea,sey, Won
Gerin- low he could have stood the two days
scrutiny of q doctor of divinity, adding
aloud: II AM sure l shall enjoy myself With
,o, ,rJ r b>-o will k,il az .>,,1Ahy,r
about your people, and b kind OF preach
Ing you like up hero"
"Ncll, young man, the deacon replied,
Two like tie Gospel. Some Of the oldest
amongst US arc fond Of points Of doctrine,
but the most part are spiritual babes and
have to be fed on milk. They can't stand
stronger meat than free agency and free or
dina:ion. We are mostly PLAN people, too.
We like plain living, plain dressing and
plain speaking. We don't take much stock
in q man who quotes Shakespeare In his ser.
nous or that wears jewclry, or that is over
particular about his victuals."
Ha!sey stole q hand furtivcly within his
linen buster and removed q diamond stud Of
which he was not u little vain. lie had bought
1t ct u bargaino of an acquaintance who was
obliged suddenly to raise a sum of money,
and it had only been q perfectly safe invest
ment of o little spare cash, but people herr.
could not understand this, and it was just a5
we'll to suppress its glitter for tho present.
To YVES glad that he had chosen a black neck
tie that morning, and was still more thank
full that lie had not thrown away his last
white one after wearing It to Mrs. Doleno's
german ct N~arragansctt pier.
Tho good deacon was evidently pleased
with the Young mans Difference III asking LIS
opinion, and lie gave 1t literally. "Wc oll
think q sight Of the old Doctor be said; "its
a!nlnst moro than so.ne OF us can lear TO
think Of his being Get aside from this pulpit.
The more you CAT. show the people that yol
haven't COMO TO take his place; that you lu'k
up to him Us your iatLor III I,rael; that you
consider yourself put hero only to stay up his
hands as Aaron and IIur did those Of Moses,
tho more you will please them. He viii sit
in his pulpit Oh Sunday, and Of course you
will asx him to make the longest prayer"
y Of them, all Of them," llalcv OK
claimed, eagerly. lie had not before consid.
cred the contingency Of being obliged to al.
dress the Supreme Being in mock devotion,
and le vas glad to be relieved from this act
o. hypocrisy.
81 suppose you've not been ordained yot,'
the deacon continued, land it viii be tho q &C.
~ - pun ~ lkoIouitNS Oll1 PII.CdtStioil. any
other littlo attentions which you can show
him will better your chance with this
congregation The deacon seemed TO
take it for granted that Iiolscy's ST.
prene ain in life YVES to Ecttlc
down Us assistant preacher in this obscure
town, and the young man laughed inwardly,
scornfully reviling tho notion; while he re-
piled Will the utmost Difference, II will ell
deavor to boar your advice in mind.'
They passed scattering farms, and on one
OF these the deacon pointed out q man clad in
russell blue ~overalls, faded blue shirt and flap
ping straw hat, who was engaged in breaking
a yoke of oxen, as an important rnagnatc in
the church. THAT said he, "is Brother
Slocumbc. he was q Methodist before he
Joined our communion, and there's nothing
now that hc likes better than Il rousins
amp meeting. Hes a hard worker, and gen
orally sleeps through the morning service,
but he gets considerably refreshed il mindby
evening, and he can be depended upon to or-
cupy the timo il he's wanted. He's fond of c
pretty lively kind Of preaching, with q good
deal of t-.rashing around. The doctors get
ting too weak lunged for hil:i. IIo likes to
have G minister como out strong on c%ycrlSst-
ing punishment and the danger CT falling
from grace, and when u man breaches hs
wants blm 20 preach all over"
Halsey made a mental memorandum to
give to Brother Slocumbe ono Of tie strong.
est sermons he could find the next evening,
and he listened eagerly for further susscs-
t!ons.
"We'vs u %sprinkling," aaid thp deacon,
"Fm thankful to say it's only u sprinl,liu.,
OF folks who think more Of culture than they
do of religion. The Pearce girls rather lead
hero on matters Of education. They read
German n attend tho summer school Ct
philosophy ct Concord. When they don't
hnd fault with the minister we all take it for
granted that he's some. 1t would be q grand
thing II you could show them that you know
a. much as they do, but you don't look as il
you were equal to it, and you needn't put
yourself out for them. There are tho Rogerscs,
who used to be E~piscopalian,; they'll 10
bothering you about q res. oasiys exercise,
but don't you give in; we'vo tit that for i've
years, 1t would cost too much to get it
printed, it's too much trouble to get used to,
and it looks like going over to Rome"
Halsey rubbed his forehead ~thoughtfully.
Should he give the Misses Pcarce one OF
Felix Adler's lectures before tie Society Of
Ethical Culture On one OF Joseph Cooks dis
quisitionsi II the Rogers family hold the
traditions Of Mother Church no thought BE-
could slip in q selection from Cardinal Nc
Closkey which would please them.
Their ride was over. and the dcacon's vito
groeted them cordially mo welcomed them
TO q hot supper Of fried chicken, ''riz'' biz
cult and green tea. At tho close Of the re-
past the deacon remarked, There's q prayer
meeting appointed for tonight at our house.
1t isn't very we'll attended generally, but
curiosity may bring soma few out to see
you"
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