The Arkansaw traveler., 1888-11-24

with nthOgraph, and deliver 1t as his
own, is thing cannot conceive any
Christian man daring to do"
at would be different If it were only
the notes." said the lady, who had
been examining specimen Thought
awakener" that had been enclosed
with the circular.
81 don't like the idea at all; it savors
of untruthfulness," replied the vicar
in a lofty tone.
Mrs. Sparkle felt rebuked, not 40
much for what she had said as for
something she had ventured to think.
Some time after this the vicar found
it necessary to appoint a new curate,
the old one having married a rich wife
and forthwith kicked over the traces.
The requirements for the vacant office
were gentlemanly presence, 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 the Rev. Jona-
than 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 ar
ranged that, before arriving at a
decision, the young man should be in
vited to preach on a certain Sunday
evening. "Not, of course, trial GER
mon," the vicar was careful to ex plain !;
"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, be-
ing prudent young man, was quite
satisfied with this way of putting it.
When the day arrived on which Mr..
Cribber "was to try his voice" DIR.
Sparkle was suffering from bad cold.
In the morning, being single handed,
he had no choice but to get through
the services as we'll as he could; and,
being a man who, when put to it, was
always equal to the occasion, he ac-
quilted himself very creditably. He
delivered striking and pathetic adj
dress from the words, "the foolishness
of preaching" and the physical disa-
bility under which he was evidently
laboring, only served to heighten the
effect of his illusions to the "earthen
vessels" to which celestial treasures
were so often entrusted. But in the
evening, obedient to his doctors Or
ders, 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.
81 am sure you would have been
pleased, dear, If you could have heard
the way the people spoke of you when
coming out of church this morning.
The Grundys had some friends with
them, and they said that they had
never heard better sermon"
Generally the vicar was keen enough
10 listen to any little bit of title tat
tie of flattering character, but on
the present occasion he seemed dis
tressed rather than pleased. Turning
uneasily on the pillow-his wife had
made him go to bed early-he merely
said, in a languid voice:
"And you, my dear, what do you
think of itp"
81 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 its
efficacy. The worthy man threw his
arms impatiently on the counterpart
and exclaimed, bitterly:
81 feel exhausted and utterly dried
up tonight, anyhow. Pm fit for
nothing"
"You have studied too hard, Lethe,
dear. Your brain has been over
wrought" said Mrs. Sparkle, affec-
tionately. eve must go for a nice
long holiday when the new curate
comes. Only last week DIR. Brigg
said that if ever a man had earned a
holiday you had"
"Ah, by the way, ! wonder how
Cribber is getting on" interrupted
the vicar, glad, apparently, to change
the topic of conversation. 81 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. "Mr. Grundy will
bring us all the news in the morning,
and then we can talk things over"
WThe important thing Ia what Mrs.