Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1888-08-02

Hastily throwing the note books and few
necessary articles into hand bag, he set out
for Ramoth Gilead. The station was merely
platform in the wilderness. The little set
tlement lay three miles away, around the
spun of Mount Haystack. An elderly man
was waiting upon the platform and shook
hands with Halsey, remarking: "You are
Mr.. Steele, s'pose. DR. Corcoran has writ
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"
Upto this moment all that Halsey had in
tended was to explain the 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
friend good turn by actually personating
him. The deacon had just shown him that
this was possible. Why not do it, His self
esteem told him that he could make favor
able impression upon these country peo-
Pile, and that report would be sent
to DR.. Corcoran of the athletic APP
pearance of the Rev. Andrew Steele,
which would secure his friend the posi-
ton he wished. Personally, the whole thing
would be another racy experience of life, and
would make good story for his Bohemian
club, oThe Free Lancesn There was risk
of detection, but that only added fascination
to the enterprise. His decision was made in
a twinkling ,sand he shook hands with the
deacon with quite a ministerial air.
H.
II am going to take you to our house, the
deacon remarked, as he led Halsey to his
horse and blackboard, which were hidden in a
group of sycamores at little distance from
the track. ''You see it rather tires the doc
tor to have company put up at the parson-
age"
~ am glad of that" thought Halsey, won
dering how he could have stood the two days
scrutiny of a doctor of divinity, adding
aloud: 81 am sure shall enjoy myself with
you, and hope you viii tell me something
about your people, and what kind OF preach
ing you like up hore.n
''Well, young man. the deacon replied,
''we like the Gospel. Some of tho oldest
amongst us are 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
We like plain living, plain dressing and
plain speaking We don't take much stock
in man who quotes Shakespeare in his SER
mons or that wears jewelry, or that is over
particular about his vietuals."
Halsey stole a hand furtiyely within his
linen buster and removed diamond stud Of
which he was not little vain lie had bought
it at a bargain of an acquaintance who was
l.. IL.
and it had only been a perfectly safe invest
ment of q little spare cash, but people here
could not understand this, and it was just as
well to suppress its glitter for the present.
He was glad that he had chosen a black neck
tie that morning. and was still more thank
full that he had not thrown away his last
white one after wearing it to Mrs. Delanos
german at Narragansett pier.
The good deacon was evidently pleased
with the young mans Difference in asking his
opinion, and he gave it literally. "We all
think sight OF the old doctor" he said; Sits
almost more than some of US can bear 10
think of his being set aside from this pulpit.
The more you can show the people that you
haven't come to take his place; ;hat ycu look
up to him as your father in Israel; That you
consider yourself put here only to stay up his
hands as Aaron and Hur did those Of Moses,
the more you win please them lie viii sit
in his pulpit on Sunday, and Of course You
viii ask him to make the longest prayer"
Gan of thcm, all of Them Halsey ex-
claimed, eagerly. He had not before consid.
cred the contingency of being obliged to adj
dress the Supreme Being in mock devotion,
and he was glad to be relieved from this act
of hypocrisy.
81 suppose you've not been ordained yet, Z
the deacon continued, land it will DO the doc
tors part TO pronounce the benediction. Any
other little attentions which you can show
him win better your chance with this
congregation The deacon seemed to
take it for granted that Halsey's SUI
preme aim in life was to settle
down as assistant preacher in this obscure
town. and the young man laughed inwardly,
scornfully reviling the notion while he re-
piled with the utmost Difference, ~ viii en-
deavor TO bear your advice in mind. -
They passed scattering farms, and on one
of these the deacon pointed ont 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 maguate in
the church. THAT said he, sis Brother
Slocumbe He was o Methodist before he
joined our communion, and there's nothing
now that he likes better than a rousing
camp meeting. He's hard worker, and gen
orally sleeps through the morning service,
but he gets considerably refreshed in mind by
evening, and he can be depended upon to &C.
cupy the time if he's wanted. He's fond of %
pretty lively kind Of preaching, with good
deal of thrashing around. The doctors get
ting too weak hinged for him. He likes to
have minister come out strong on everlast-
ing punishment and the danger of falling
from grace, and when a man breaches he
wants him to preach all over.n
Halsey made a mental memorandum to
give to Brother Sloculnbe one of the strong
est sermons he could find the next evening,
and he listened eagerly for further sugges-
tions.
"We've a sprinkling," said the deacon,
"I'm thankful to say it's only sprinkling,
of folks who think more Of culture than they
do of religion. The Pearce girls rather lead
here on matters of education They read
German and attend the summer school of
philosophy at Concord. When they don't
find fault with the minister we all take it for
granted that he's some It would be grand
thing if you could show them that you know
as much rs they do, but you don't look as if
you were equal to it, and you needn't put
yourself out for them. There are the Rogerses,
who used to be Episcopalians; they'll be
bothering you about responsive exercise,
but don't you give in; we've fit that for five
years, it 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 Pearce one Of
Felix Adler's lectures before the Society Of
Ethical Culture or one Of Joseph Cooks dis
quisitionsl If the Rogers family held the
traditions Of Mother Church he thought he
could slip in a selection from Cardinal Nc
Closkey which would please them.
Their ride was over and the doacon's wife
greeted them cordially and welcomed them
to hot supper of fried chicken, "riz" bis
cult and green tea. At the close of the re-
past the deacon remarked, There's prayer
meeting appointed for tonight at our house.
1t isn't very well attended generally, but
curiosity may bring some few out to see
your
"a prayer meetingl CONSERVATION" was
Halsey,s thought what shall l dor
What he said was: 81 suppose the doctor
win come and lead the meetiug.n
''The doctors a-coming,m the deacon re
piled; that's his buggy coming up the hill
A well worn and dusty chaise stopped
at the gate, venerable man alghted
accompanied by a sprightly young lady, who
sprang nimbly to the ground, making only a
good natured pretense of accepting the assist
ance of the courteous old gentleman. Halsey
was introduced at the door and received the
good minister's rather formal and priestly
benediction with a feeling something like
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