Lewiston teller. [volume] (Lewiston, North Idaho) 1878-1900, 1891-04-02
A MINISTER'S BLUNDER.

UOWu VI NoWUcru. Lie NcN. EltllO was
young, good looking, intelligent, and
possessed the many little graces of
manner that would make him a favor
lite in any community; but alas, poor
man, he had one failing, he was un-
married! As this was defect that
could be SO easily remedied, it did not
detract much from his popularity, es-
pecially among the unmarried portion
of his congregation Of the opposite sex.
Indeed, Deacon Tubbs was often heard
to remark that piety had reached the
high-water mark among the young la
dies of the congregation since Bro. Bar
clay came among them.
But the Rev. Eltho thus far had
passed on his way serenely, apparently
uninfuenced by all the bright glances
and sweet smiles that accompanied 50
many acts of charity and devotion,
One evening the regular church
social was held at Elder Freeman's.
After the weather and the superiority
OF their own church over all other
churches had been thoroughly discuss
ed, some one proposed music. When
Miss Lathrop had given few expiring
bangs, showing that herXinstrumenta
solo had at last drawn to close, some
one brought forward Miss Katherine
Du Vasne to sing. She was a stranger
to most in the room, but at the first
sound Of her magnificent voice, hush
fell upon the babbling throng, and the
Rev. Eltho, who was passionately fond
of music, listened with his whole soul
awake. No sooner did her voice die
away in the last, sweet strain, than he
was at her side seeking an introduction
and begging for another song. He
asked for one after another until he
could not in courtesy call for more.
After the singing was over he no.
ficed what fine eyes she had, and how
sweet was her smile, for Kate took it
into her head to be very gracious to
the Rev. ElthO, who seemed the lion
of the evening. Nor was it strange
that afterwards in his pastoral calls he
should not forget the stranger within
our gates" or rather the stranger
within Mrs. Hodges gate, for that is
where the stately Kate was visiting;
though that good lady often remarked
that what he could see iarthat naughty
Kate to admire, she, for one, couldn't
understand. "A pretty minister's
wife she would make with her quick
temper and stately airs. Why, she
didn't believe Kate knew the answer
to'the very first question in the cate
chism, and what did she care for
heathen, or old ladies, or babies, Or
sick people? What did she know
about patching or darning, ladies' aid
so cieties, and cooking chicken?"
Now there was her Nellie" and
when the good dame had run through
the special qualifications of her daugh-
ter one could not reject the conclusion
that Nellie was lone of the elect. :"
foreordained and predestined from the
foundation Of the world to be minis
; tsr's wife,"
The Rev. Eltho's church could boast
OF large organ and choir, but this
choir was very uncertain quantity,
and like many another choir, was a
continual ''thorn in the flesh to the
pastor.
At length the time arrived for one of
its periodical upheavals. The alto had
) declared that the sopranos voice
: squeaked on the high notes. The bass
thad sided with the alto and the tenor
had gone over to the soprano, and the
organist had failed to bring harmony
out of so much discord. so when it
came time for the Saturday night re-
hearsal, there was no one to sing.
The pastor begged the Organist to
secure new choir before Sunday
services, but this the Professor (smart-
ing under some previous slight which
only a soul attuned to divine harmonies
would have felt) utterly refused to do.
So the clergyman resolved to make
the best of it and have congregational
singing, led by the organ. But at the
eleventh hour the Professor repented
of his rash refusal and on Sunday
morning sought out new choir, in.
Guiding Miss Du Vasne as soprano.
She willingly granted her services
for she was accustomed to choir sing
ing. having long been the soprano ir
.one eof the leading churches of hel
native town. Besides, there was {
pleasure to her in the thought that thu
young minister would to-day be one o
her most attentive listeners.
There had been no time to notify thu
Rev. Mr.. .Eltho of the professor
changed purpose.
The reverend gentleman was ac
customed to enter his pulpit from I
side door leading from his study afte
the congregation Rad assembled. A
his mind was generally preoccupiet
with his serman he seldom glancet
around until seated in the pulpit
Besides the organ and choir CALLER.
were directly behind the pulpit, SO Of
this eventful Sunday he was entirel,
unconscious that it had other occupant
! than the professor.
There was perfect silence as he aros
ito announce the first hymn.
my brethern." said he "you se