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

could not overcome. Tho older man
sat in the pulpit, and at the request of
the young man offered the long prayer
at the morning service; with that ex-
ception he had nothing to do during
the entire Sabbath. At the close OF
the service only two or three came for
ward to shake his band, and they did
so In q constrained. un Wiling manner
that puzzled and burt him. The Squire
wass not out for the day. What it
could all mean the parson could not
imagine. He went to rest that night
crushed. so great was the revulsion OF
feeling from that of last Sunday and
all the week. But he laid the burden
on the Lord, and laid himself downsin
sleep. hoping things would be ex-
planned on the morrow. If, indeed, it
were not all a matter OF his imagiua-
ton. aroused by the fact that another
man had been put in his place. He
chided himself for such an unchristiau
| spirit.
The morning did not bring relief,
nor did the days that followed. He
/ found that wherever he went the
women were shy of him and the men
did not welcome him. So sharp was
] oof IN, To- M =
overwhelmed with agony. He asked
himself many times: Shall leave and
go homer What reason can give for
doing SOP Yet how can stayp :.
BY the middle OF the COX ae found
himself isolated practically by all OK
! cept Deacon Purkis and wife. With
them there was no change at all. We'd
nesday afternoon he returned from a
lonely walk on the shore and sat down
to supper with heavy heart, though
! he tried hard to conceal it.
During the meal neighbours boy
| brought in the mail, which had just
arrived. There were two letters for
the parson. One was from his dear
little wife; he knew the writing and
! put the missive in his pocket to enjoy
| when alone. The other letter he opened
and read at once. He frowned, he
smiled. and tear started to flow down
his cheek, but was quickly whisked
away. He passed the letter without
comment to the deacon, who read it
aloud. as follows:
''Reo. Sir: Your game is up You arc known.
! Poke Island is small. but not small enough for
you to hide in. II you remain in town forty
eight hours longer you viii be publicly exposed
and denounced. A ord to the wise, etc."
! There was no signature.
! Deacon Purkis and his wife were very
indignant that such q letter should be
| sent their guest; but they begged him
| to excuse them from making such lit
tie explanation as they might make,
for at least another day, at the same
time assuring him of their sympathy
and esteem in words and manner uu-
mistakably sincere,
Soon after the parson went to his
! room and did not return for the even
ing. He was indignant-eager to 20
and challenge his unknown correspond
! ent to tell his tale and let him meet it
then would como moments of bitter
grief. What was this terrible thing
the people believed him guilty of-he
so innocent. He decided that he must
wait with patience the forty-eight
hours time set in the letter, and then
perhaps he could sift the matter. With
prayers and tears, aud not with sleep,
he passed the night.
In all this time the chairman had not
been idle. He thought that there must
be some foundation for the rumor that
the Rev. Phineas Dustin was fallen
and disgraced minister, yet he did not
see how it could be true. He refrained
from talking about the matter. but, as a
cautionary measure, had employed the
divinity student to preach the previous
Sunday. Then he had written to sew
eral well'informed clergymen in the
denomination, and had interviewed
the editor of the Jackson Ensign. The
editor could give him little satisfac-
ton; but under the spur OF certain re-
marks of the chairman volunteered to
go to Barnbury and investigate.
On Thursday-it was dark Thurs
day to Rev. Phineas Dustin-the chair
man received several replies to his let
tiers of inquiry. all speaking of Rev.
Phineas Dustin as a man above re-
proach. standing high in the opinion of
his brethren and never having been
settled at Barnbury: that Huckins was
his home and had been for years. and
not temporary asylum from Barnbury.
Then did the chairman wrath rise
high, and he hurried out to find
Briefly. After searching for him IN
both the stores, in all the fish-houoes
and along the wharves, no finally went
to his home and, Unexpectedly, found
him there. 1t was owing to sprained
ankle which forbade him the pleasure
of going out on search for gossip.
The chairman read tho reporter the
letters he had received. He listened
with amused interest, and then coolly
remarked: Then our parson isn't
the Barnbury parson, after all!' The
chairman lowered, he threatened, he
showed the reporter how great was
the injury done an innocent man,
and also the church. Briefly only
; shrugged his shoulders. laughed lit
tie, and blew cloud Of tobacco smoke
toward the aroused church officer.
| While this was going on the editor
of the Ensign came in. having driven
down from jackson junction to tell
Briefly what a mistake had been made,
and to forestall the indignation which
he felt sure would be aroused when
the whole truth came out. He did not
go to Barnbury, but had telegraphed q
friend there. and learned that the
Poke Island minister was not the man
| no ho1 On ho had h,,~~:ol "a