The Ohio Democrat. (Logan, O. [Ohio]) 1886-1906, 1889-10-19


he forgot it all during the long prayer,
when he uttered the real longings of
his heart. The sermon was somewhat
lengthy, logical, and full of life and
hope. In fact, the preacher thought
that night If he had only preached
that way in Huckins he perhaps would
not now be candidating. The people
of Poke Island were delighted. Just
what they wanted, they said to one
another Several of the brethren told
the preacher so; some of the sisters
wanted to- He was invited to call at
many places, and then and there made
several engagements to dine during
the week. Squire Davis became his
supporter because of a reference the
preacher had made to the Squire's
Alma Mater, Tompkins Academy of
Barnbury, now gone into 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 so
snubbed und unappreciated at Huckins
should be so admired at Poke Island.
What wonder that he went off to sleep
that night happy MANI
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 glaring 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 Island 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, thers was no fault
Corporeally, an erect frame, graceful
carriage, a 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 the fit
was perfect. Besides, the good wife
at home had supplied him so well with
white ties and linen that he made these |
the central point of his attire, and all |
the rest did well as a setting All these |
things were noticed and commented on |
by Poke Island, and the verdict pro-
nounced on the new minister was a
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 i'm to see the
editor.
Briefly had an 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. and 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
Il little wickedness mixed into any
story, it took on an added interest.
The wicked tales were those the people
talked about the most. Briefly appre-
ciated this fact and 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 Brierly 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 last years Goldfish"
Yes, replied the editor, talking in
ejaculatory style between the frequent
putfs at his cigar and paying no atten-
tion to the criticism on his paper.
mere , IL IlCl WcCh, SOl-
umn article fresh matter, startling
news, country wild over it, niece
brought it froI. Barnbury. Ever been
up to Barnbury?" Briefly nodded.
Remember stone church on square?
Bird store underneath, opposite hotel?'
nod. Fun alive there. The
editor winked and Briefly grinned.
minister smart, handsome, built 'em
up, big salary, imprudent, faction in
church, jealous husband, suit for di-
vorce. How's thatp Got it all fresh.
o, I'll wake things up on the Ensign
this week.
Puff, puff, puff, and the sanctum is
made blue and the men nearly invisible
by the smoke.
'EditorialP"
"Ofcourse," loftily; "sad occurrence.
power OF the clergy, wolf in
sleeps clothing, and all that, you
know" Again the editor winked and
Briefly grinned.
Where is he now?"
"Off on forced vacation. Reported
to he 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 himph