Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1890-07-31
A SAVING SCHEME.

HIS StlCuGl Oll VIZ tdbiS Wioii -" ~ - 'N','
was almost groan.
"Another disappointment? said his
wife, who was giving the children their
surpers. Didn't they want you at Jen-
nlngs Corners?
'They don't want Inc anywhere,
groaned Mr.. Fletche, i am TOO old. l
preached one of my best sermons, and
they listened we'll, but afterward they
told me point blank that they wanted
ayounger man. It's the same every
where go
L think it was great shame when
you had preached Is years for one con-
e.cgation to turn you of because your
hair was white. I'm sure that was all
the fault they found with you. Why,
Jonas, you are not really old. Did you
eyer tell them you We're only SOP
No. 1t is Just the age when II
preacher should be at his best, but they
want young men nowadays who are full
of entlusiasm-who amusc and interest
rather than instruct. / have kept up
with the times in my work, but don't
look tt don't look 1t.
i have an idea said his wife sud-
denly, dropping the youngest child as
she hastily jumped to her feet. By the
time they had raci'ied the youngster
she had impaired her idea IN under
tones which the children could not hear.
1T would be wrong. | never could
do it., said the minister.
Nonsense We must have bread
and roof TO cover Us, and it is your
only chance. When do you 50 to the
last place that called you?'
On Saturday, if | go at all. will
give them my sermon on The Beauty
of Revelation > that is one OF my best
efforts. Mary, would like to have a
call to that church. | feel that there
are 10 years Of good work in me yet
but my white hair will ruin my chance
'lIave 1t cut close to your head, sug-
gested his wife.
And go INTO the pulpit looking like
prize fighter: That wouldn't im-
prove matters,' answered her husband.
The afternoon Of the day previous to
that on which he was to make his tlnal
effort to secure a church, the Rev. Jo-
mas disappeared from the eyes of men.
His wife was at home. expecting him
home every minute and wondered what
kept him. The afternoon wore away
and it was nearly night when there
came loud peal at the door bell.
Stay here, children, said Mrs,
Fletcher, as she heard that onHnous
peal. Then she tore oil her apron and
ran distractcdly to the door.
A tall, rather handsome, young look.
ing man stood there, with clerical
black satchel IN his hand.
Is Mr.. Fletcher at homc?' he in
qurcd.
No, sir, he is not answered Mrs. f.,
who thought she recognized the ear
marks Of the profession and | don't
know where he is
I will wait for him with your rer-
mission, said the stranger, and there
was nothing left to do but ask him IN
and make the best Of it.
Have you come from distance p
asked Mrs. +. as she rolled up the
shades in the little parlor and asked
the stranger to be seated.
4 AN from Mr.. Fletcher's native
town. answered the caller. we were
classmates together, and | should like
to see him again very much.
I can not imagine what Is keeping
him. began Mrs. Fletcher, but there
she stopped and looked hard at her Wis
itor. Then she threw up both hands
and he rose to his feet.
Jonas y
'Mary!'
you've gone and done it,
Ilow do | look ?
4 never was so deceived in my life.
You look 20 years youngero
i only hope it won't DE counted
against Inc as mortal sin !.
Nonsense | never believed you
would do it, but you will have TO abide
by it now. And if you succeed you
can feel pretty sure that it is right
Only, Mr.. Fletcher's classmatc is II
good many years younger than Mr..
Fletcher. Jonas, it don't seem to be
YOU And then the poor woman broke
down and had good cry.
The reader can imagine what Mr..
Fletcher did-thc chronicler will never
tell. But he preached that fine sermon
Oh The Beauty Of Revelation with Il
troubled heart. And he received call