The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1888-03-03

circumstance, two of the Samsons Of the
congregation conveyed the opposing Dea-
con outside the front door. An officious
sister arrived with a pitcher of cold
water, and began to douche his head.
He was powerIess to object, for his arms
we're held as if in wise. He began to
use his feet in self defense, but straight
way they were we're taken in hand by one
OF the Samsoms. The deacon called to
his wife:
'"Mandy, have you forgot the contract
you n ade forty five years ago, to stand by
me for better or worse It's worse
now; but declar, 'cording to the con-
trsc, here's yer time to come forrardp
The Deacon's wife had vainly been
trying to reach him, ever since the con-
fiict began. She had been intercepted
in her progress, and two of the ladies of
the congregation were OBTAINING her.
Mrs. Nye's voice could be distinguished
in expostulatiop.
''Sister Brown, I've seen 'em this way
before. The very ones they set the most
store by when they are at 'emselves, they
are the most prejudiced against when
their heads get wrong like the Deacon's.
Don't go near him, I beg of you"
The news was conveyed inside the
church that the Deacon had become vio-
lent. In view OF this fact, most of the au-
dience forsook the sermon and came out
to inspect the Deacon.
A whisper passed among the crowd
that it would not be safe to allow the
Deacon to abide any more with his fami-
ly. Arrangements progressed according.
ly to lock him up in the town hall until
matters were perfected for sending him
to the State Asylum.
Deacon Brown, finding resistance vain,
had at last become calm. Certainly in his
present condition, he presented a cool and
forlorn appearance. His experience since
he entered the church might possibly be
worth something to him; but the neat,
spruce Deacon arriving, compared most
unfavorably with the present departing
Deacon.
1t was impossible now, to zee ones
face reflected in the despatched patent
leather pumps, that but short time
since had been the envy OF beholders.
His scant locks of moist hair chung tena-
ciously to his shining forehead. His
once immaculate shirt collar, disregard
ing buttons, stood wide open, limp and
starchless from much wetting.
Mr.. Simpson, finding most of the inter-
est on the outside, dismissed the congre-
cation.
The express agent, in passing out of
the church, surveyed the Deacon.
Deacon Brown raised his hand as we'll
as he could under existing circumstan-
ces, admonishing the agent with a
'sh-e-w" to keep silent. E 1T the agent,
considering this his final opportunity for
trsnsacting business with gentleman
doomed to depart soon for the insane
asylum, did not heed the admonition.
He drew out the identical brown envelope
that had been left at the express Office
three months before. Explanations fol-
lowed. Suffice it, Deacon Brown did not
go to the insane asylum. No, nor was he
ever reinstated in the confidence of his
old admirers. His prestige went with
the brown envelope.
His good qualities were overlooked,
and henceforth in the minds of the pub
lie, he was only hypocrite.
He paid the inevitable penalty of du.
plicity, which in his case was the out
cropping of inconsistency.
SLIDER Cliff, Colo.