Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1891-06-25
CHAPTER III.

VI
the meaning of the communication to
the minister plainly was that it had
come to contest between him and the
young Mr.. Lloyd, and that whichever
should acquit himself in this debate
most to the satisfaction and admiration
of the audience would straightway be
chosen as minister.
1t was a terrible situation for the
minister-how terrible none but him
self knew, and none, not even the wife
of his bosom, could ever sufficiently
understand. He was bad debater,
and, worse than that, he was the most
nervous, hesitating and involved extern
pore speaker in the world. His sermons
and discourses were always written,
but he delivered them so well that very
few would have guessed that he had
manuscript before him. With his writ
ing in his hand he was easy, vigorous
and self-possessed; but when he had to
speak extempore panic of fear shook
him; he had neither ideas nor words,
and he was completely lost.
1t was simply question of nerves
with him, and whenever he knew be-
forehand that he was expected to speak
extempore the strain upon him was
crueller than man can tell. The strain
imposed now upon a body weakened by
the past years privations and anxiety
could not have been crueller if he had
been under sentence of death; and, in
deed, life or death seemed to his over
wrought nerves to hang upon the issue.
If he failed. and he feared he would
fail, fail signally, for he did not doubt
but that the young and boisterous Mr..
Lloyd was without nerves, and was
glib and self-confident tallxer-then Up
ton was lost. and his wife was con-
demned for Heaven alone knew how
long to grievous poverty, and his child
to lingering death. If he succeeded
- but he had no reason to hope he
would-then Upton was won, and with
it life and health and happiness for
those he loved
1t was Wednesday morning when he
got the letter, and all that day he con-
sidered, with a frequent feeling of
panic at the heart, and constant flut-
tering ofsthe nerves, what he could pos.
sibly do TO insure success. He thought
he would write down something on the
subject of the debate, and commit it
to memory. He had sat down and
written little, when he bethought
him that he did not know when he
would be called upon TO speak. nor
whether he might not have TO express
ly answer some one. He threw down
the pen and groaned in despair: there
was nothing to be done; he must trust
to the inspiration and self-possession of
the moment.
When he went TO bed his sleep was
succession of CHASTITY nightmares. He
dreamt his wife and child were strug-
Cling and choking in dark and Shiny
sea, that Mr.. Lloyd stood aloof uncon-
cernedly looking on, and that he, the
husband and father, lay unable to stir
hand or foot or tongue. Then he awoke
with sharp cry, trembling with dread
and bathed in perspiration, and found.
lol it was but a dream!
So the night passed and the day came
with its constant wearing fear and
anxiety. He could not eat, he could
not drink, he could not rest; and thus
the day passed and the hour came when
he must set out for the fatal meeting.
As he passed along the street people
paused to glance at him; he appeared so
pale and scared.
When he entered the lecture-room at
Upton he was met by his friend, the
chairman of committee, who looked at
him. and said
Don't you feel well, Mr.. Murray?
You look very faint and pale. Let me
get you a glass Of wine
''No, thank you. said the minister.
81 am really quite well"
ave shall have a good debate,
think said his friend, then leading the
way forward.
II hope So" said the minister;
though am afraid can do little; ]