The Press., 1889-08-29
OVERHEARD IN A HORSE CAR.

It is very wrong to play jokes on the clergy, and only very sinful people ever do #. There is an ex-newspaper man, we'll known on the row, who wears the smugeest face, the most ministerial air and the most clerical spectacles of any man in the business. During a recent convention which drew several hundred clergymen to Washington, Mack Chat isn't the name) got into a Fourteenth street car full of ministers, stumbled half way up the aisle, and caught the eye of a fellow newspaper man.
 "Why, Brother Thompson, how do you do?" he exclaimed, grasping his hand and shaking it effusively. Mack sat across the aisle and started running conversation which could be heard all over the car. haven't seen you since the triennial con- clave in Chautauqua in 1875. How is your Buffalo charge getting along? How is Mrs. Thompsonp Did you get your salary raised? Nol That is too bad, real ly too bad. did. worked my congre- gation nicely. had friend in Cieve- land who is on the staff of secular news paper, and he was interruptions enough to work up @ boom for me there until re- ceived an offer of $5,OOO. Of course my congregation wasn't going to be outdid, and they saw that $5, 900, and went them $1 900 better. This was in May, one year ago."
 The whole car was attention by this time, and Mack was the focus of thirty pairs of curious eyes.
 eI hear you are thinking of taking new charge Is it SO? Want to have a chance to work over your old sermons. Been eight years in one place. We'll, I don't blame you. can't very we'll. You see have made good many investments in my town, and it would necessitate too many sacrifices to break the old ties. Still there are other ways. ! succeeded in ne- gotiating an exchange of 150 sermons for an admirable series by Dr. Scott of San Francisco. The good man was much pleased at the exchange.
 s'There, I have just called to mind that e family which has been in my church for ten years has moved to San Francisco, and is going to join Dr. Scott's church. 1t may make trouble for Dr. Scott" Mack chuckled and poked "Brother Thompson" in the ribs with his umbrella. It was rainy day.
 "Where is your umbrella, Brother Thompson? Is that it? That is not the sort of umbrella you ought to have. Look at mine. The finest of silk and an elegant silver handle. l don't know whether you ever noticed, but I always have nice um- brellas. You see mine is a fashionable church, and there are always good many strangers at divine service. I have an ar- rangement with the sexton to pick out on rainy Sundays the best umbrella left in the vestibule and put it away for nae. The regular pew-holders always take theirs in the pews, and only strangers leave um- brellas in the vestibule, so I never have any trouble about umbrellas. An, here is my street. Good bye, Brother Thompson. Come and see me when you can. Good bye."
 l A bubble of whispers run around the cars, and indignant glares followed the pseudo clergyman. One venerable party came down to Brother Thompson" and, note book in hand, asked the name of ''that clergyman" Brother Thompson struck his forehead with his clenched fist, but for his life could not locate the talka. tive preacher, and to escape cross exami. nation left the car at the next corner. = l Erch0n0e.