, 1889-01-03

mind" he thought, - Lave a dozen Of gOoI
ones by the abIest New York divine5 ii my
| shorthand notebooks l will read ono OF two
of them"
Hastily throwing the note books and Few
necessary articles into hand bag, he set out
for Rnmoth Gilead. The station was merely
platform in the wilderness. The little set
tIement Law three miles away, around the
spur of Mount HayStack. An elderly man
was waiting upon the platform and shook
hands with Halsey, remarkinS: You are
Mr.. Steele s'pose, DR.. Corcoran has writ
ten us all so much about you, that the whole
parish feel as if they knew you, though there
isn't one of us that has ever set eyes on you
Up to this moment all that Halsey had in
tended was to explain the situation, and TO
offer to supply his friends place by reading
some of the sermons with which his short
hand note book was abundantly supplied
| Now the idea struck him that he might do his
friend good turn by actually Personating
hin. The deacon had Just shown him that
this was possible Why not do it? His self
esteem told him that he could make ii favor
able impression upon these country Peo-
pie, and that report would be sent
| to DR. Corcoran of the athletic ap-
| Dearance of the Rev. Andrew Steele,
| which would secure his friend the posi-
non he wished. Personally, the whole thing
appeared to him in ludicrous light. 1t
would be another racy experience OF life, and
would make good story for his Bohemian
club, THE Free Lances." There was risk
of detection, but that only added fascination
| to the enterprise. His decision was made ii
a twinklmg, ,.and he shook hands with the
deacon with quite ministerial air.
II
II am going to take you to our house" ths
deacon remarked, as he led Halsey to his
horse and blackboard, which were hidden in g
group of sycamores at a little distance from
the track. "You see it rather tires the doc
tor to have company put up at tho parson-
agen
| II am glad of that" thought Halsey, won
derinc how he could have stood the two days
scrutiny of q doctor of divinity, adding
aloud: Il am sure shall enjoy myself with
you, and hope you will tell me something
about your people, and what kind of preach
ing you like up here"
| '.Weli, young man," the deacon replied,
1--WE like the Gospel Some of the Oldest
amongst us arc fond of points of doctrine,
but the most part are spiritual babes and
have to be fed on milk. They can't stand
stronger meat than free agency and free or
dination. We are mostly plain people, too.
We like plain living, plain dressing and
plain speaking. We don't take much stock
in a man who quotes Shakespeare i'll his SER
mons or that wears jewelry, or that is over
particular about his victuals."
| Halsey stole hand furtiYely within his
| linen duster and removed n diamond stud of
which ho was not little vain. He had bought
it at bargain of an acquaintance who was
obliged suddenly to raise sum of money,
| lN Safa
| ment of a little spare cash, but people here
could not understand this, and it was just
well to suppress its glitter for the present.
| He was glad thnt he had chosen O black neck
| tie that morning, and was still more thank
full that he had not thrown away his last
white one after wearing it to Mrs. Delano's
german at Narragansett pier.
The good deacon was evidently pleased
| with the young mans Difference in asking his
| opinion, and he gave it literally. 1--WE oil
| think sight of tho old Doctor he said its
| almost more than some of us can bear to
| think of lis being set aside from this pulpit.
The more you can show tho people that you
| haven't come to take his place; that you look
up to him as your father in Israel; that you
consider yourself put here only to stay up his
hands as Aaron and Hur did those OF Moses,
the moro you will please them He will sit
in his pulpit on Sunday, and of course you
will ask him to make the longest prayer
IAN Of them, all of them,n Halsey ex-
claimed, eagerly. He had not before consid-
| cred the contingency of being Obliged to ad-
dress the Supreme Being j" mock devotion,
and he was glad TO be relieved from this net
| of hypocrisy.
Il suppose you've pot been ordained yet, "
the deacon continued, land it will be the doc
| tors part to pronounce the benediction. Any
| other little attentions which you can show
| him Will better your chance with this
| congregation" The deacon seemed to
take it for granted that Halsey's su-
Prene aim in life was to settle
down as assistant preacher in this obscure
town, and the young man laughed inwardly,
scornfully reyiling the notion; while he re-
piled with tho almost Difference, ~ will en-
deavor to bear your advice in mind"
They passed scattering farms, and on one
of these the deacon pointed out man clad in
russell blue overalls, faded blue shirt and flap
ping straw hat, who was engaged in breaking
| yoke or oxen, as an important magnate in
| the church. That" said he, sis Brother
! Slocumbe. He was a Methodist before he
| Joined our communion, and there's nothing
now that he likes better than rousing
camp meeting He's hard worker, and gem
orally sleeps through the morning service
but ho gets considerably refreshed in mind by
| ana ne cali De depended urDn 10 &C.
| cupy the time II he's wanted. He's fond of a
prstty lively kind Of preaching, with q good
deal OF thrashing around. Tho Doctors get
ting too weak idnred for kim. Ho Ikea to
havo minister como out strong on everlast-
ing punishment and the danger of falling
from grcce, end when 4 man breaches hs
wants him to preach all over" o..
Halsey made q mental memorandum to
give to Brother Slocumbe ono of the strong
est sermons he could find the next evening,
and ho listened eagerly for further sugges-
tions
"Io've sprinkling," said tho deacon,
I'm thankful to say it's only sprinkling,
OF foles who think more OF culture than they
do OF religion. The Pcarce girls rather lead
here on matters of education. They read
GsrInan and attend tho summer school of
philosophy ct Concord. Whsn they don't
hnd fault with tho minister VIC all tako it for
granted that he's some 1t would DO a grand
thing II you could show them that you know
as much ns they do, but you don't look as IL
you Were equal to it, and you needn't put
yourself out for them. There nrs the Rogerses,
who used to bo Episcopalians; they'll be
cothering you about O responsive exercise,
but don't you give in; wo've fit that for five
years, it would cost too much to got it
printed, it's too much trouble to get used to,
and It looks like going over to Rome
AsLsey rubbed his forehead thoughtfully
Should he give the Missss Pearce ono of
Felix Adler's lectures before tho Society of
Ethical Culture or one Of Joseph Cooks dis
quisitionsi II the Regors family held the
traditions Of Mother Church he thought he
could slip In o selection from Cardinal Nc
Closksy which would please them
Thsir ride was over, and tho deaconis wife
crested them cordially and welcomed them
TO hot supper Of fried chicken, Isrizn bis
cuit and green tea. At the eloss of the re-
past the deacon remarked, "Thsre's prayer
msedng appointed for tonight at our house
1t hat very well attended generally, but
curiosity may bring some few out to see
you.s
"a prayer msstingi CONSERVATION" /" was
Hnlssys thought "What shall / dot"
What hs said was: 81 suppose ths doctor
wiz esEns and lead ths meeting"
Tbs doctors a-eoning,s the deacon ro-
piled; "tAasS his buggy coming up the hill. n
4 well worn aAd dusty ehaiss stopped
at the gate, vsnsrabls man slighted,
accompanied by sSrightly young lady. who
| spraHg alfahly "a tds ground making oalY a