Telegram-herald., 1891-07-05

Az "oS bue ScIs4y oIu eoycftkfy, ct0
he meaning Of the communication 20
he minister plainly was that 1t had
one 70 a contest between him and the
young Mr. Lloyd, and that whichever
should acquit himself ia this debate
most To the satisfaction and admiration
of the audience woald strsightway b
chosen as minister
IL WAS terrible situation for the
minister-how terrible none but him
of his bosom, could ever sufficiently
understand lie was . bad debater.
and. worse than that. he was the moss
nervous, hesitating and involved extern
pore speaker in the world. His sermons
end discourses were always written,
but he delivered them 50 well that very
few would have guessed that he had
manuscript before him With his writ
ing in his hand be was easy. vigorous
and self-possessed; but when he had to
speak extempore q panic OF fear shook
him; he had neither ideas nor words,
and he was completely lost
II 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
erueller than man can tell. The straiu
imposed now upon body weakened by
the past years privations and anxiety
been under sentence of death; and. in-
deed. life or death seemed TO his over
wrought nerves TO hang upon the issue.
II he failed, and ne feared he would
fail, fail signally, for he did not doubt
but that the young and boisterous Mr..
Lloyd was without nerves, and was a
glib and sek-conEdent talkcr-then Up
ton was lost, and his wife was con-
demned for Heaven alone knew how
long TO grievous poverty. and his child
TO a lingering death IL he succeeded
- but he had no reason to hope he
would-then Upton was won, and with
10 life and health and happiness for
those he loved
1. 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 a constant fHt-
tering of the nerves, what he could pos
he would write down something on the
subject Of the debate, and commit it
20 memory. He had sat down and
written little, when he bethought
him that he did not know when ne
would be called upoa to speak. nor
whether lie might not have to express
" 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 seH-possession Of
the moment
When he went to bed his sleep was q
succession of CHASTITY nightmares He
d-eamt 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 a sharp cry, trembling with dread
and bathcd in perspiration, and found,
10. il was but dream.
So the night passed and the day came
with its constant wearing fear and
anxiety. He could not eat, he copld
not drink. he could not rest; and thus
the day passed and the hour came when
he must set ont for the fatal meeting.
As he passed along the street people
paused TO glance at him; b appeared SC
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 glass of wine"
mo, thank YOU" said tho minister.
81 am really quite we'll"
I'VE shall have . good debate, l
think" said his friend, then leading the
way forward.
IL hope So" said the minister;
Though am afraid can do little; I