Waterbury evening Democrat., 1888-07-03
THE SUBSTITUTE.

ness generally there visible that his wife, noticing it, inquired: What has occurred that has afforded you such evident gratificationr | "You know that l was wishing that might have a temporary relief from my cares, but was unwilling to take a vaca- tion because of my belief that no church should. even for one Sunday, be without preachingp ''Yes, and I know that you owe it to your people, not less than to yourself to rest from your labors; by so doing you could accomplish much more. Have you decided to go away for a seasonf'
 Read that" he replied, passing a letter to his wife
 She unfolded the missive, whose contents were:
 C-,N Y., July 1a, 1s-
 DEAR BROTHER PENNELL: You will be surprised at hearing from your former classmate In Ando- yer, between whom and yourself there has never been any correspondence; but few words will render all comprehensible. From my remen brance of your views respecting the duties of a pastor, and from what have heard of your faith fulness, apprehend that you would not sacrifice what you, perhaps unwisely, regard the welfare of your people to your physical and, of course, mental health and strength
 A young man whom consider very gifted has been studying with me for nearly two years, and would like to preach a few Sundays experiment. ally Provided you wish to be absent from your charge for @ month or six weeks my friend will gladly supply your pulpit during that time, for no other compensation than his board. If, how ever, you shall choose to make him trifng do nation 1t will be very acceptable as he has to provide for himself entirely.
 shall be absent from home until the middle of September. so if you think proper to accept my suggestion, please write to MT Thomas Smith, Boston, whither he is going to visit friends, receipt of this With kindest wishes, Fraternally yours, WILLIAM BLAKE "You will avail yourself of this oppor- tunity to recuperate your energiesa" asked Mrs. Psnnell, having finished the letter. "I shall It seems too much like dispen- sation of providence to be neglected" "1 am so glad"
 | MT. Pennel went to his library and wrote | to Mir. Smith, mentioning the letter from | Brother" Blake, and inviting him to substi- 1 tute for him the coming six weeks. Three days later Mir. Smith came to Brook vile. : 1 He was of medium height, slight, pale 1 faced; had long, abundant whiskers, worn a rAnglais; curly hair of the same hue; blue eyes, that were sharp, inquisitive penetra- ting; regular features; was evidently not far | from 25.
 The following Sunday he occupied a seat in the pulpit with MT. Pennell, but took no part in the exercises, except to offer the clos ing prayer. l At the conclusion of the morning servics-, the only one for the day-the pastor intro duced him to the most prominent members, with the remark-it soon became stereotyped:
 'Mr. Smith will preach for me while am | having the vacation which it appears to be my duty to take, and l think you will have no reason to regret the temporary change"
 Every one expressed his pleasure at hearing | that Mir. Pennell had concluded to rest; no l IN,,hf h,,tf bot M,- | factorily meet all the requirements
 Indeed, the new conner had already done much toward securing the favor of those who were to constitute his congregation.
 What a fervent prayeri How earnest he seemsl He is destined to become distin- guished," and other like observations, might have been heard, sotto voce, from the elderly people.
 The maidens whispered to one another: Ibid you ever see such side whiskers9 What magnificent eyes he hasi Isn't he fine look inga" and so on. With reference to the gentler sex, he acted circumspectly, being courteous toward all, but manifesting no favoritism to any of them. In fortnight he was as popular as a clergyman could desire to be-
 ! "I should like to ask great favor of you, ' be said to Mr. Campbell, cashier of the local bank, a pillar of the church, as they sat in conversation one evening. "Do not hesitats to ask any favor which ii is in my power to grant" was the reply
 "It is not exactly the thing for an humble servant of the Lord to wear this ring'-ex tending his shapely white hand, whereor sparkled a large diamond. ''It indicates 6 taste for display that, commendable with the rich, is reprehensible where the wearer is poor and fitting for the voc9tion that is tc
 be mine. 1 do not wear it as a matter ol display, however, but because it is an heir
 loom, from which I have been unwilling tc e part in the season of my direst need. The u people cannot know my motive in having i appear upon my person, and will probably
 misapprehend it 1 would ask if you ar o willing to give it place in your safe at th bankg'
 "Most assuredly. Carry it there in tn
 morning, and will deposit it where it vii
 be secure"
 n "Thank you. My mind is relieved of ,, great responsibility"
 ,s The next morning he went to the bank e and saw his ring placed where Mir. Campbell e convinced him it would be secure" e After an absence of five weeks Mir. Pen
 nell returned to his charge and MT. Smit
 went from Brookville to small village i Maine, where he was engaged to preach fo Q short time, be said.
 :, There was a wide and deep regret at hi 70 departure, and not few of the members x, especially those who had joined under hi 70 administration-freely expressed their wis
 that the Hay preacher might continue t
 substitute for the regular pastor, whom sue
 remarks reached and deeply grieved
 Finally matters settled into their fome
 channel, and moved on peacefully for tt
 greater part, though not without an occs
 sional disturbance, such as the parish ha
 not known prior to the advent of Mir. Smitl
 Toward the close of September 0 pan
 was created in the place by the rumor ths
 the bank had been burglarized to the amour
 of nearly $60, ,000-a rumor that proved tru
 The day that this announcement was mac "A Mir. Smith again came to Brookville to o
 tain the ring, which he had thought be should remain in the safe while he WI
 away. ~
 4, nea-;AA >AhA rtae--s ~>s ti.<~~n .vh-> had sl,
 BoarderS Wanted.
 Rooms newly furnished throughout Can