The Monitor. [volume] (Woodstown, N.J.) 1884-1892, 1890-07-18

be bound"
People say we nave these things our
selves, began Mr.. Gilkey. mildly.
Il don't care if we do,' retorted Mr..
Ames. 81 earn ny money, and l know
where it comes from"
Mr.. Ames had by this time worked him.
self into quitea vehement state of mind. He
~ostensibly addressed Mr.. Gilkey, but it is
not strange that the consciousness tina the
stranger was an interested listener caused
him to elaborate his argument with the
distinctness and precision of one who feels
that be is making a good point. He now
glanced for approval of his sentiments
from Mr.. Gilkey to the stranger, and the
latter seemed encouraged to venture a re.
mark.
What particular style of a man do you
want for a pastor?"
" want a first class man," said Mr..
Ames, 18th the air of reeiting a well-learn-
ed lesson. .Some one who can hold his
own 18th the other ministers in the place.
Now, you see"-beeoming confidential
there's a certain set in our church that
are strong on doctrine, and another class
that don't care anything about il, and won't
hear it preached! They mostly don't be-
long to the church, but they come regu-
lariy and rent our best pews, and we feel
bound to consider their feelings. But it
takes a man with some tact to get along
with these things and not offend anyone"
Indeed, it must" said the stranger.
And Mrs. Gilkey said in further ~illustra-
ton of the point "Why we can never
keep a man more than six months, without
one set or the other getting down On him.
He's sure to be in hot water somewhere
o, dear. why didn't you catch that?s
This last exclamation was not addressed
70 the stranger, but to Mr.. Gilkey. For
in the excitement of the discussion,
the lady had loosened her hold
upon the band box, and the sudden jolt of
the cars had precipitated it into the aisle.
With the aid OF a fellow passenger and a
cane, Mr.. Gilkey ished up the precious
parcel, and by the time this feat was &C.
complished the train was moving slowly
into the Brandon Station. Mr.. Ames
shook hands with the stranger at parting
and said he was glad to meet him; after
which ceremony the travellers repaired to
their several destinations. Mrs. Gilkey,
with vague forebodings lest the fall should
have resulted d~lsastroIsly to the contents
of the band -box; Mr.. Ames, with a placid
satisfaction with himself aud the world at
large; and the stranger-but as he is a
stranger We cannot guess with n accur-
aey what his thoughts and feelings were.
The church was filled that Sabbath
morning, and an agreeable flutter Of expec-
tation pervaded the well dressed congrega-
ton. Their faces wore thai wide
awake, alert expression of persons who ex-
pect to be entertained. Mr.. Ames felt
very tranquil in spirit, as he leisnrely as
ceuded the church steps. just in time for
the opening anthem. As he leaned back
in his seat and glanced over the crowded
house, he said to himself that he. for one,
was glad they were going to have a steady
pastor, and he was going to do his best to
encourage him. He'd get introduced after
service and invite him up to dinner to- NOR
row He nudged his wife and confded to
her his resolve, and she said twas Gust
the thing He craned his neck around to
get a sight of the new man, but the desk
completely hid him from view, as he sat
in the large pulpit chair, resting his head
on one shapely hand. With the last notes
OF the anthem, Mrs. Gilkey sailed down
the aisle in all the glory of her new bon
net, while the husband followed at a re-
spectful distance behind the swaying
plumes and spreading brim. Mrs. Ames
whispered to her husband that it would
be just like the Gilkeys to try to get in
ahead With the minister, that woman was
$50 pushing" lie must remember and
speak to the minister right after church.
The choir sat down with a Autter and
giggle. There was a brief pause. Then
the preacher advanced TO the desk and an
nonnced the hymn. As the mellow tones
of his voice floated out over their heads,
the waiting congregation smiled a gracious
approval. But what WIS it made Mr..
Ames start so violently at the first words
of the reader, stare hard at the desk and
sink back into his seat with an expression
OF blank dismay? Mr.. Gilkey observed it
! from where he sat, and wondered what it
meant. One look at the minister told the
story. He was the stranger who had
shared Mr.. Ames' seat in the car the night
before. The subsequent proceedings were
fraught with painful interest for at least
two of that audience. MIS-. Ames wills
pered TO her husband that she noticed that
Mrs. DIR. Holmes wore a new sealskin, but
he needed her not, and when the congre
CATION rose to sing, he kept his seat, de-
spite the lady's approving look. He stole
a furtive glance at Mr.. Gilkey TO see how
he bore it. That gentleman, after some
discussion with his wife, arose, and held
the book for her during the singing, hnt
he hung his head and looked crushed in
spirit. Mrs. Gilkey, on the contrary, car
ried her head and the new bonnet with