The Worthington advance. [volume] (Worthington, Minn.) 1874-1908, 1889-10-24

wanted 70. He was invited to call al
many places. and then and there made
several engagements to dine during
the week. Squire Davis became Ills
supporter because OF a reference the
preacher had made to the Squirrels
Alma Mater, Tompkins Academy OF
Barnbury. now gone into q decline. In
the Sunday-school and In the evening
service our parson strengthened his
hold on the people. and he in turn was
charmed with them and their homely
ways. He was astonished beyond
measure that he who had been SC
snubbed und unappreciated at Huckins
should be so admired at. Poke Island.
What wonder that he went of to sleep
that night a happy man?
During the week that followed he
faithfully visited among the many fam
lilies Of the parish. going by neither
the poor-house at the East End nor the
great glazing white hotel at the Bluffs.
where the summer boarders congre-
gated. Before the week was over there
were none who had not seen and
spoken with the sweet-faced minister,
and there were few who did not love
him. The parish OF Poke lshnd had
not drawn the dead line" in the minis
try nor had they harbored the young
man-for-the-pulpit'' craze. He was dis
cussed, of course, and critically ana
lyzed. Spiritually. there was no fault.
Corporeally. an erect frame, graceful
carriage. u bright. intelligent face, a
pleasant smile and ready word for all.
digni6ed. but not austere. Even his
clothing was beyond reproach; to be
sure it was somewhat the worse for
wear, but they were neat and tho fit
was perfect. Besides. the good wife
at home had supplied him so we'll with
white tics and linen that he made these
the central point Of his attire, and all
the rest did we'll as a setting. All these
things were noticed and commented on
by Poke Island, and the verdict pro-
nounced on the new minister was q
favorable one. The standing committee
felt that the work of supplying the pull
pit was. nearly over, and glad they
were to be relieved of the task.
On, Wednesday OF this week Tom
Briefly. the local correspondent of the
jackson Ensign, went up to jackson
Junction and dropped in" to see the
editor.
Briefly had 40 Unsuitable love for
gossip and even scandal, which made
him not only the spice but the terror of
the town. His persistency in gather
Ing news for the Ensign had won him
favor with the editor. aud at the same
time had led the people of Poke Island
to believe that they were of great i'm
portance in the world because paraded
so often and at such length in the pub
lie print. He was willing to write
good of any one; but if there could be
a little wickedness mixed into any
story, 1t took on an added interest
The wicked tales were those the people
talked about tho most. Briefly appre-
ciated this fact aud it was this that
made him SO eager in his work of gath
ering and culling his weekly news
budget for the jackson Ensign.
As Briefly sat down the editor passed
a box of cigars and. with his feet on
desk. the two men settled down to a
short smoke and gossip; two things
which go together even though it be a
man who pulls at the cigar. A few
moments of silence and smoke-then
Briefly began: Got any thing new for
the folks this week? The Ensign's
grown drier than a last years Goldfish. y
''Yes." replied the editor. talking In
ej..culatory style between the frequent
puffs at his cigar and paying no atten'
ton to the criticism on his paper
There's rich thing this week, col
umn article. fresh matter, startling
news. country wild over it. niece
brought 1t from Barnbury. Ever been
up to Barnbury?" Briefly nodded.
''Rmember stone church on square:
Bird store underneath. opposite hotel?''
Another nod. Fun alive there" The
editor winked aud Briefly grinned.
Minister smart, handsome, built EN-
up. big salary, imprudent, faction in
church, jealous husband, suit for di.
vorce. How's that? Got it all fresh.
o, I'll wake things up on the Ensign
this week."
Puff. put, puff, aud the sanctum is
made blue and the men nearly invisible
by the smoke.
"Editorialp''
''Ofcourse." loftily; ''sad occurrence
mtsused power OF the clergy, wolf in
sleeps clothing, and all that, you
know Again the editor winked and
Briefly grinned.
Where Is he now?''
"Of on q forced vacation. Reported
to I've engaged to preach somewhere
down along ashore"
Brierly's round eyes snapped when
he heard this. What sort of a look.
ing man is heP'' he asked.
Whats upP Have you seen him?''
"P'r'aps. we've got parson at Poke
Island that halls from Barnbury or
somewhere near BY" A silence oil
smoke. Then the editor drew from
Briefly all he knew of Rev. Phineas
Dustin. He decided that Briefly should
work up the matter at home for the
next weeks issue, and in tomorrow
paper he would hint at 'startling de.
velopments in u near by town on the
shore"
Friday evening there was the usual
company Of men and boys at the gro
Gerry when the mail arrived; and Briefly
took advantage of the opportunity to
,..,a1 al~,d tho Ensiun,e nowo corr.orn