The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1889-10-19

~ + APPS. we We you u pdrSon at IKE
Island that halls from Barnbury op
somewhere near by" A silence 3;
smoke. Then the editor drew from
Briefly all he knew of Rev. PhineIs
Dustin. He decided that Briefly shoul1
work UP the matter at home for sS
next weeks issue, and in to-morrvwss
paper he would hint at startling de-.
velopments in a near by town on the
shore"
Friday evening there was the usal
company of men and boys at the no
Gerry when the mail arrived; and Brisiv
took advantage of the opportunity to
read aloud the Ensign's news concern
ing the Barnbury scandal and also tie
editorial blast about ministers with
damaged regulations and withnt
proper credentials, forcing themselves
on the people of the shore-towns. Loud
and varied were the comments mde
on the affair by the by-standws.
Briefly expressed no opinion publidv,
but tie chairman of the standing cIih-
mittee. who had listened intentlyH-<
the reading, went home with hA
tingling at the insinuation the sfseItF
reporter quietly dropped as to wbre
that minister might be now. b. the
Ensign there was no favorable notice
of the presence and work d Rev.
Phineas Dustin, an omission which
helped confirm the suspicion which
now with rapid wings flew from house
to house.
Late Saturday afternoon Rev.Phin-
cas- Duston had finished his pfpara-
ton for the next day. He was reolved
to do his utmost best for his Alster.
and strive not only to please, ut to
help the people who should assmble
at the house of God. His mediitions
were interrupted by the entrare of
the chairman, who bluntly annonced
his errand. There was a diinity
student stopping at hotel on Bant's
shore, and the committee would Ike to
have him occupy the pulpit TOMORROW.
1t gave the parson quite a stronl ner-
vous shock, but he readily consnted
to st.nd aside and let the youneman
take his place.
Sunday saw greatly diminished
congregation in the church, and GER
tain restlcssness in the people. shich
the young man, with all his eloqpnce,
could not overcome. The alderman
sat in the pulpit, and at the requst of
the young man offered the long payer
at the morning service; with tht ex-
ception he had nothing to do dring
the entire Sabbath. At tne clce OF
the service only two or three cam for
ward to shake his hand, and thy did
so in a constrained. un willing mnner
that puzzled and hurt him. The Squire
was not out for the day. Whit it
could all mean the parson cOull not
imagine. He went to rest that night
crushed, so great was the'revulsion Q
feeling from that OF last Sunday ami
all the week. But he laid the burden
on the Lord. and laid himself down in
sleep. hoping things would be ez-
planned on the morrow, if, indeed, it
were not all q matter of his imagina-
ton, aroused by the fact that another
man had been put in his place. He
chided himself for such an unchristan
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
the contrast to last week that he was
overwhelmed with agony. He asked
himself many times: Shall Ileave and
go home? What reason can / give for
doing so? Yet how can l stay?
By the middle of the week he found
himself isolated practically by all ex-
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 a 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 il
aloud. as follows:
"Rec. Sir: Your game is up. You are fHpw.
Poke Island is small, but not small enough 70
you to hide In. II you remain in town forty
eight hours longer you will be publicly expose
and denounced. word to the wise. etc."
There was no signature.
Deacon Purkis and his wife were YER
indignant that such letter should b
sent their guest; but they begged hin
to excuse them from making such lit
tie explanation as they might make
for at least another day, at the sam
time assuring him of their sympath
and esteem in words and manner uu
mistakably sincere.
Soon after the parson went to hi
room and did not return for the even