Mower County transcript., 1889-10-23

cautionary measure, had employed the
divinity stt,dent to preach the previous
Sunday. Then he had written to sew.
oral well-informed olergymen In the
denomination. and had interviewed
tho 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 Ihursday-it was a dark Thurs
day to Rev. Phineas Dustin--the chair
man received several replies to his let-
ters OF inquiry. all speaking OF Rev.
Phineas Dustin as q 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
nota temporary asylum from Barnbury.
Then did the chairman's wrath rise
high, and he hurried out to find
Briefly. After searching for him in
both the stores, In all the fish-houses
and along the wharves, he finally went
to his homo and. unexpectedly, found
him there. 1t was owing to a sprained
ankle which forbade him the pleasure
OF going out on search for gossip.
The chairman read the reporter the
letters he had received. He listened
with amused interest, and then coolly
remarked: Then our parson ism 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 a lit
tie, and blew q cloud Of tobacco smoke
toward the aroused church officer.
While this was going on tho editor
of the Ensign came in. having driven
down from jackson junction to tell
Briefly what mistake had boon made,
and to torestall the indignation which
he felt sure would be aroused when
the whole truth came out. He did not
60 to Barnbury, but had telegraphed q
friend there. and learned that the
Poke Island minister was not the man
he had supposed, 50 he had hurried at
once to Brieriy.
The editor viewed the matter from a
different standpoint than did Briefly.
He had more at stake in his paper. and
he was more of q man So. when be
had read the letters the chairman had
received he readily consented to go to
Parson Dustin and explain and apollo.
gize. Brierly sneered at his weakness.
bus was little disconnected when his
chief quietly informed him that he
need send no further communications
to tho Ensign, as none from him would
be received. He kept his word to the
joy OF all Poke Island.
Rev. Phineas Dustin received his
callers in the sitting room Of Deacon
Purkis. the deacon and his wife re-
naming by request. Tho editor told
his story as We have here told it, and
the chairman showed what had been
his share in the affair and produced
the letters. Both Of them. like true
men. sought to make amends. The
parson was amazed. With tears flow
ing he took these men by the hand and
begged them to forget it all. that he
bore them only love. Then he prayed
such prayer OF Thanksgiving for de-
liverance from evil that he uncon
sciously showed the four how much he
had suffered.
Now the clouds had cleared away
and he was again to preach. Carefully
did he prepare for the Sabbath serv.
ices.
BY Sunday the news had spread
among the people, and that day they
seemed to feel that as matter Of pen
ance or apology they should attend
church. The result was that when
Rev. Phineas Dustin stepped upon the
platform he faced q crowded house -
and the facss were full Of sympathy.
How sweetly did he beam upon them
from over his spectacles. He was neve,
80 full OF love-never so clear and
logical and impressive in his sermon.
He did not refer TO the cruel matter
OF the past week publicly, and wa:
quite disp.eased when several of the
crowd who came up after tho sermon
to shake hands, spoke OF the atfai,
shameiaoedly.
The next night there was q parish
meeting. so sweet a spirit" sc
eloquent "learned," '.gentlemanly;'
such were the expressions heard a
! the meeting. which voted unanimously
to extend q call to Rev. Phineas Dustin
to become their pastor.
The call was accepted. and his labors
began at once. He left town only long
enough to get his wife and their house
hold effects in Huokins and transpor,
them to the Poke Island parsonage.
Last evening the people gave their
pastor and wife reception in the
vestry OF the church. All the towr
was :here except Tom Briefly. He
has gone out OF the newspaper line
The chairman, the deacon and the
Squire each made neat little speech
bat by request OF Rev. Phineas Dustin