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

Ensign there was no favorable notice
of the presence and work of 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 prepara-
tion for the next day. He was resolved
TO do his utmost best for his Master.
and strive. not only to please, but to
help the people who should assemble
at the house of God. His meditations
were interrupted by the entrance of
the chairman, who bluntly announced
his errand. There was divinity
student stopping at hotel on Brant's s
shore, and the committee would like to
have him occupy the pulpit tomorrow.
1t gave the parson quite strong ner-
vous shock, but he readily consented
to stand aside and let the young man
take his place.
Sunday saw a greatly diminished
congregation in the church, and a cer-
tain restlessness in the people. which
the young man, with all his eloquence,
could not overcome. The 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 hand, and they did
so in constrained unwilling manner
that puzzled and hurt him. The Squire
was 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 down in
sleep, hoping things would be ex-
planned on the morrow, if, indeed, it
were not all a matter of his imagina-
ton, aroused by the fact that another
man had been put in his place. He
chided himself for such an unchristian
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 leave and
go homep 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 n 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 |
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:
"ReU. Sir: Your game is up. You are known
Poke Island is small, but not small enough for
you to hide in. If you remain in town forty |
eight hours longer you will be publicly exposed |
and denounced. word to the wise etc."
There was no signature.
Deacon Purkis and his wife were very |
indignant that such 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 un-
mistakably sincere.
Soon after the parson went to his
room and did not return for the even
ing. He was indignant-eager to go |
and challenge his unknown correspond |
ent to tell his tale and let him meet it |
then would come 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, and 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
measure, had employed the
student to preach the previous
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
ters 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 homo and had been for years, and
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