Mower County transcript. [volume] (Lansing, Minn.) 1868-1915, 1888-12-19

from 1t; but to go into the pulpit with
Autograph, and deliver it as his own,
Is thing ! can not conceive any Chris
tian man daring to do"
1T would be different II it we're only
the notes." said the lady, who had
been examining specimen ..thought-
awakener, " that had been inclosed
with the circular.
II don't like the idea at oil; It savors
OF untruthfulness," replied the vicar,
In a lofty tone.
Mrs Sparkle felt rebuked, not SO
much for what she had said as for
something she had ventured TO think.
= -
Some time after this, the vicar found
1t necessary to appoint q new curate,
the old one having married rich wife
and forthwith kicked over the traces.
The requirements for the vacant oflce
were a gentlemanly presence, a good
clear voice, and Just such an amount
OF preaching ability as would satisfy
the congregation without endangering
the wears ascendency and popularity.
Among the several applicants, the
Doctors favorite was Rev. Jonathan
Cribber: But as it was necessary, in
appearance at least, to consult the
wishes of the congregation (who
were expected to find the funds).
it was arranged that, before
arriving at decision, the young man
should be invited to preach on cer-
tain Sunday evening. "Not, OF course,
a trial Sermon" the vicar was careful
to explain; that is thing abominate
and would always set my face against,
but just to let you see my people. try
your voice, and that sort of thing"
Cribber, being prudent young man,
was quite satisfied with this way of
putting it.
When the day arrived on which Mr..
Cribber, was Ito try his voice." DR..
Sparkle was suffering from bad cold.
In the morning. being single-handed,
he had no choice but to get through
the service as we'll as he could; and,
being man who, when put to it, was
always equal to the occasion, he &C
quilted himself very creditably. He
delivered striking and pathetic ad-
dress from the words: 1.-The Foolish
ness of Preaching" and the physical
disability under which he was evident
ly laboring, only served to heighten
the effect of his illusions to the
''earthen vessels" to which celestial
treasures were SO often intrusted. But
in the evening. obedient to his doctors
orders, the good man stayed at home,
leaving the whole service to Mr.. Crib
Der, and submitting himself patiently
to such coddling measures as his wife
thought fit to enforce.
AS the night drew on DR.. Sparkle
became very much depressed. despite
all his wife's efforts to cheer him.
Il azu sure you would have been
pleased, dear, if you could have heard
the way the people spoke of you when
coming OIt of church this morning.
The Grundys had some friends with
them, and they said that they never
heard a better Sermon"
Generally the vicar was keen enough
to listen to any little bit of tittle-tattle
OF fattering character, but on the
present occasion he seemed distressed
rather than pleased. Turning uneasi-
~ on the pillow-his wife had made
him 60 to bed early-he merely said,
in languid voice:
"And you. my dear-what did you
think of itp'
Il think it was the most beautiful
sermon you ever preached" replied
the lady, enthusiastically, "though all
your sermons have been splendid of
late. Some months ago, you remem-
Der, you complained of feeling ex-
hausted, and insisted that the fountain
of your ideas was drying up But it
seems to me that ever since your ideas
have been brighter and more original
than formerly; they have dubbed and
sparkled as though to match your
name."
This was an old family joke. and It
always used to please him. Now.
however, it seemed to have lost it's eff.
cacy. The worthy man threw his arms
impatiently on the counterpart, and
exclaimed, bitterly: -. >
Il feel exhausted and utterly dried
up tonight, anyhow. I'm fit for moth
ing" ~
'You have studied too hard, Lethe.
dear. Your brain has been over
wrought" said Mrs. Sparkle, affec-
tionately. 1--WE must go for q nice
long holiday when the new curate
comes. Only last week DR.. Brigg said
that if ever . man had earned a holt
day you had" ~. @= = ~. ~
"Ah, by the way, I wonder how
Cribber is getting on" interrupted the
vicar, glad, apparently, to change to
the topic of conversation. II should
like to have heard him for myself"
''You are better where you are. dear,
much BETTER" urged the good woman,
as she carefully tucked him in for the
night. 70 ''Mr. Grundy will bring us all
the news in the morning. and then WA