Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1888-04-18

appeared to him in ludicrous light. It
would be another racy experience Of life, and
would make good story for his Bohemian
club, ssThe Free Lances." There was risk
of detection, but that only added fascination
to the enterprise. His decision was made in
a twinkling, and he shook hands with the
deacon with quite ministerial air.
e. .na:..i g.: II.
"Ian 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 sycaidores at a little distance from
the track. 'You see it rather tires the doc
tor to have company put up at the parson-
age" ,.....s-. -
"I am glad of that. Thought Halsey, Won
dering how he could. have stood the two days
scrutiny Of g. doctor Of divinity, adding
aloud: .s'I am sure shall enjoy myself with
YOU; and hope You wiz tell me something
about your people; and what kind Of preach
&ingyo1 hke up here"
~ "'Well, young man." the deacon replied,
: s'we like the Gospel Some of the Oldest
amongst us sare fond of points Of doctrine,
but the most part are spiritual babes and
have to be fed ION milk They can't stand
stroSger meat than free agency and free or
dination. We are mostly plain people, too.
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 victuals."
Halsey stole hand furtivcly within his
linen duster and removed diamond stud Of
which he was not little vain. He had bought
it at bargain of an acquaintance who was
obliged suddenly to raise sum of money,
and it had only been a perfectly safe invest
ment of little spare cash, but people here
could not understand this, and it was just as
we'll to suppress its glitter for the present.
He was glad that he had chosen q 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 Delano's
german at NalTagansett 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; "it;s
almost more than some OF us can bear to
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; that you look
ND 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. He will sit
in his pulpit on Sunday, and of course you
will ask him to make the longest prayer"
GAN of them, all of them," Halsey ex-
claimed, eagerly. He had not before consid-
cred the contingency of being obliged to ad-
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"
the deacon continued, "and it will be the doc
tors part to pronounce the benediction. Any
other little attentions which you can show
him will better your chance with this
congregation" The deacon seemed to
take it for granted that Halsey's su-
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, II will en-
deavor to bear your advice in mind"
They passed scattering farms, and on one
of these the deacon pointed out man cladin
russell blue overalls, faded blue shirt and flap
ping straw hat, who was engaged in breaking
yoke Of oxen, as an important magnate in
the church. "That," said he, "is Brother
Slocumbe He was Methodist before he
Joined our communion, and there's nothing
now that he likes better than O rousing
camp meeting. He's hard worker, and gen.
orally sleeps through the morning service,
bnt he gets considerably refreshed in3a;.d by
evening, and he can he dern,STed rpon 10 oc-
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 lunged for him. He likes to
have minister come out strong on everlast-
ing punishment and the danger Of falling
from grace, and when man breaches he
wants him to preach all over"
Halsey made mental memorandum to
give to Brother Slocumbe 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 mora 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 as 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 DO
bothering you about responsive exercise,
but don't you give in; we've fit that for fvo
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
quisitions9 If the Rogers family held the
traditions Of Mother Church he thought he
could slip in selection from Cardinal Nc
Closkey which would please them.
Their ride was over, and the deacon'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, 'Theres prayer
meeting appointed for tonight at our house.
1t isn't very we'll attended generally, but
curiosity may bring some few out to see
YOU"
"a prayer meeting! CONSERVATION, was
Halsey's thought. "What shall I dog!
What he said was: II suppose the doctor
will come and lead the meeting"
The doctors a-conling," the deacon re-
piled; ''that's his buggy coming up the hill"
A well worn and dusty chaise stopped
Of +ba oata q yanarah1a man aljphtea
accompanied by 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 feeling something like
that of shame He turned for relief to tho
young lady, to whom the doctor motioned
him with a wave of the hand and the rather
unsatisfactory introduction, My niece,
Orient" What was he to call her? Nothing
for the present, since they were not upon
footing which would permit the use of her
Christian name; but as he glanced at her
bright attractive face with its mischievous
smile, he felt that an intimacy which such
form of address would Indicate with be-
witching little parsonage like this would do
much to reconcile u man to even this desert
solitude. She had a bright, intelligent coun-
tenance, made piquant remarks. was quick
at repartee, and was as completely ut nome
and unembarasscd in his society as city
belle. In chatting with her he quite forgot
to prepare his thoughts for the coming ordeal
of the prayer meeting The people began to
gather. The deacon introduced Brother