Mohave County miner., 1891-03-14
A MINISTER'S BLUNDER.

Inc Rev. Eltho Barclay had been
called to paStorate In the fiourishing
town ofNowbern. The Rev. Eltho was
young, good looking, intelligent ard
possessed the many little GIaases Of
manner that would make him favor
ite in any community; but, alas, poor
man, he had one falling. he was un-
married. As this was defect that
could be 30 easily remedied, it did not
detrnct 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 Rey. Eltho thus far had
passed on his way serenely, apparently
uninnnenced by all the bright glances
ana 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 Isthrop had given few expiring
bangs, showing that her. instrumental
solo had at last drawn TO a close, some
one brought forward Miss Katherine
Du Vasne TO sing. She was 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 corfSess' call for more,
After the Staging was over he no
iced what fne eyes she had, and how
sweot was her smile, for Kate took IL
Into her head 10 be very gracious TO
the Rev. ElthO, who seemed the lion
Of the evening. Nor was IL strange
th1t afterwards in his pastoral calls he
''should not forget the stranger within
our gates" or rather the stranger
within Mrs. Hodges gate, for hat Is
where the stately Kate was visiting;
though that good lady often remarked
that what he could see In that naughty
Kate 10 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
70 the very first question in the cate
chism, and what did she care for
besthen, op old ladies, or babies, or
sick people? What did she know
about patching or darning, ladies' aid
societies, 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 zone Of the elect"
foreordained and predestined from the
foundation OF the world to be minis
ter's wife"
The Rev. Eltho's church could boast
Of large organ and choir, but this
choir was a very uncertain quantity,
and like many another choir, was a
continual ''thorn In the flesh 10 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
had 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 ii
came time for the Saturday night re-
hearsal there was no one to sing.
The pastor begged the Organist 10
secure new choir before Sundays
services, but this the Professor (smart-
ing under some previous slight which
only soul attuned to divine harmonies
would have felt) utterly refused to do.
So the Clergyman resolved 10 make
the best OF il 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
cluding Mhls Du Yasne as soprano.
She willingly granted her services,
for she was accustomed 10 choir sing
ing. having long been the soprano in
one Of the leading churches Of her
native town. Besides. there was
pleasure TO her in the thought that the
young minister would to-day be one Of
her most attentive listeners.
There had been no time TO notify the
Rev. Mr.. Eltho Of the professors
changed purpose.
The reverend gentleman was ac-
customed to enter his pulpit from a
side door leading from his study after
The congregation had assembled. As
his mind was generally preoccupied
with his serman he seldom glanced
around until seated in the pulpit.
Besides the organ and choir gallery
we're directly behind the pulpit, 50 on
this eyentful Sunday he was entirely
unconscious that IL had other occupants
than the professor.
There was perfect silence as he arose
10 announce the first hymn.
my brethern," said he you see
that we have no choir to-day. 10 we
viii sing that old familiar hymn. Rock
OF Ages. and hope that all will help
with the singing"
He could not account for the almost
audible smile that went around the con-
gregation, and he inyoluntarily felt to