The Press., 1888-08-16
Issued Every Thursday Evening.
THE OLD PASTOR.

Jonn ana were sitting on the front porch, Sabbath afternoon. He was smok- ing his pipe and looking over his Sunday paper, sometimes reading bit to me, which almost put me half asleep, as is natural enough when there's nothing to do to keep one awake when he begins to talk, SO when he said that said to him:
 "Well, must say I'm getting tired of the old thing. Now, when was at Spen- cerville, where they've just got 8 new min- ister, there was so much going on, and everything 50 lively There were all the ladies fixing up the parsonage, and every body calling there, and presents, and the house warming dear me It all seemed to make so much good feeling"
 That's it." said John. "There's no feeling at all here. Parson Miles is good enough man, but he's slow-yes, rather slow. It sometimes comes over me, Maria, ' then John spoke lower, though whether it was in fear of being heard by the leaves that whispered in the apple trees that shBded the porch, or by the birds building their nests there, or by old Carlo that lay on the mat, is more than can say but there wasn't nothing else to hear-"that p'r'aps we need a change, though wouldn' t be the one to start the idea"
 "No, indeed," said; "but still he's been here a long time."
 "Yes, and getting little old. A young CT man, now would 'liven things up. We could pay him better salary and give him good setting out. The church is well able to do it."
 'There's no fault to be found with Bro. Miles, though" said, for I couldn't find it in my heart to hear him run down.
 "Not bit. It's only that-well-only hot f,rIr ha~ ,a ak end. What do you say, Maria, to driving over to hear Parson Futile this evening, just for variety? He's more my style beats and whacks away, and wakes folks up."
 "What 1" said {; clear over to Rad nor P It was ten miles and more.
 "Yes, said he, "Ill hitch up Prancer, and we can make it an hour"
 l saw he was little restless, and rather liked the idea of a ride behind the colt, so I made no objection. As we got near Radnor there were lots of folks on the way to church.
 "Great many out for evening worship, D I said. "Our folks don't turn out this we'll"
 "Parson Tuttle's man that draws, ' said John 1; "keeps up the interest, you see."
 There was quite crowd in the entry, and as we were waiting for some one to show us to seat, we overhead a man say tonight MT. q couldn't get hold of the name. though tried) is going to preach. '
 was afraid John had set his heart on hearing Mir. Futile, but as far as I was concerned, I didn't mind hearing stranger, especially If he was like what they said, foi they were keeping right on:
 | "-Hes a strong speaker, yes, strong that's just the word. We're always glad when we get him on an exchange. Won der is, man like him's let stay so long in a country living. None of your hop-snd. jump sort-don't waste any force ham. mering out sparks but he goes at 1t and drives in the truth square and solid, and then clinches it-yes, sir, he just clinches it-that's the very word"
 could see the folks were expecting something little more than common by the way they looked as they settled into their seats. l was looking about little, trying to see if anybody knew was there, for I knew a few of the Radnor folks (though what with running to Eliza Jane's or to Susan's, now they're married, and something or other always ailing with one or other of the children, and the work oi home, it's a wonder ever keep track oi anything else) and didn't look toward the pulpit at all till heard the minister's voice and then almost jumped from my seat as I stared at him. Then l turned and stared at John. and he stared at me. It was Par son Miles, as sure as you live If it hadn't been in church should { laughed right out, to see John's blank look But sobered down, and then l couldn' help seeing how those people listened. | was very plain they considered Parsor Miles no such small doings and it set ma to noticing him myself a good deal sharper than I'd been doing of late. l tried to lool at him and to listen to him as if I'd beer somebody else besides myself. l coulda' feel to say he was 8 very handsome man but made up my mind you don't oftel see a more earnest, scholarly face than his Then noticed the sprinkling of gray il his hair and beard, and somehow the tear would come into my eyes as began think : ing over the long years he'd been amonI us. I couldn't remember time or sick ness when he hadn't brought strength an comfort, ,and I could almost hear again hoy } often his voice had seemed to bring dow beam of hope and faith as we stood b an open grave.
 h When he came to his text John gave m little poke, for, if you'll believe me,
 was the same we'd heard in the morning But had to confess to myself hadn
 listened much, for I'd got into the way c
 thinking Bro. Miles sermons didn't edif
 me any longer. I thought to myself
 though, that if hadn't listened then,
 would now and when saw the man we' l. heard in the entry give little nod to tn other man once in while, as much as [ say, "Didnt tell you so that's one of hi clinches," I actually began to feel littl
 bit scared, wondering whether some c
 these Radnor folks migbtn't take a notio g to give our pastor call.
 think John, as well as I, was iittl proud to have folks know he was our min
 ister when the time for the hand d-shakin came, when meeting was out. And whe some one congratulated him at hearin such preaching all the time, he took it jus exactly as if he'd always considered Mir
 Miles the greatest preacher going.
 We didn't speak a word for more thal half the way home, and then John said 3 "I say, Maria, there's such thing a going farther and faring worse." "Well, said I, eff that's what you mean we've been faring just about the same. I "No," said he, "that isn't what mean, and after awhile he said
 f "Maria, how much bigger salary ough