The Irish standard. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn. ;) 1886-1920, 1892-01-16
MINNEAPOLIS AND ST. PAUL. SATURDAY. JANUARY ,
teriian?:"

terian?"
':No, sir"
"Congregationalist, mayhap?'
II am Catholic priest sir!"
"Now, stranger! Well, do declare
But, you amt in earnest, no how You
don't come that load over me-
| And the astonished learner Of this fact
looked anxiously under the rim of the
minister to see the much-spoken- of
horns; but the wished-for sight was not
to be seen. This somewhat reassured
him, and he broke forth again
''Taint possible you're only joking,
SIR"
Il am serious sir. am Catholic
priest"
Again did the inquisitor scrutinize the
strangers head closely, but it was as
much like other persons heads as one
bullet is to another. He gathered no in
formation from his scrutiny. Giving a
long and dubious whistle, he then thrust
his hands in his pockets and disappeared,
to communicate to his friends the know
ledge CT the wonderful thing that was in
their midst. They were soon gathered
together in anxious and curious knots of
four and five each. Often would they
cast furtive glances at the stranger; but
his hat remained immovable on his head.
It was really provoking. One thing was
clear, however, they we're not very long,
or else how could he keep on a hat of
such ordinary size. One thing more was
certain, he would have TO take Off his hat
at supper, and they would then see his
horns The object Of all these remarks
and surmises remained immovably quiet
Supper was ready; and now, at last, they
would see the desired wonder. They
were ali astir with irrepressible curiosity.
Shameful disappointment!-the little
African who had been commissioned to
inform the strange gentleman" that sup
per was ready, returned with his ebony
face shining with astonistment, and his
mouth wide open, and declared that
"the strange gentleman didn't want any
supper" Every face was blank with
surprise. .....
Many we're the offers to "stand treat"
if the ''parson would liquor" These
offers were civilly declined, in form of
phrase as rude and characteristic as their
own. There we're no means Of cultivat-
ing any acquaintance with this strange
being. He finally intimated his
intention to retire for the
night. There was look of despair in
the company, which the land ord COM
forted by limiting that they would Ger
tainly be completely satisfied at break.
fast next morning.
Morning came, and the hero stalked
down stairs with his hat as firm to bis
head as ever. Every man, woman and
child in p. had met to fill up the public
room of mine host. Every eye was on
the ever covered stranger. He was per-
fectly unconcerned. Breakfast was an
nounced. There was death like silence
as the landlord politely invited him to
walk in and give blessing over the meal.
The reply of the stranger broke like a
thunder-olap upon them. Fasting was
good for body and soul; and he believed
he wonld not eat. Was he mortal---were
they never to see his horns?, The strang.
er asked the favor of small "mouthful,' :
for a snack on the road, and called foz
his horse Not a man stirred toward the
breakfast table. Biscuits and beefsteak
grew cold. They we're all unheeded
The horse was brought, and the crowd
gathered around it in fever of convul.
sive excitement. The stranger mounted
His former tormentor, Jim Saunders
approached, bowed, elevating his hat at
least forty degrees, and wished him q
pleasant journey;--but still, that wonder.
full. hat moved not. The head merely
nodded. Already the strangers horse
had begun to move, and the disappoint
ment of the crowd was at its height, when
he stopped, raised his hat, made polite
bow-and, there were no horns!
There was a roar of merriment from
the crowd, and in an: irrepressible burst
of surprise and disappointment, Jim
Saunders exclaimed at the top of his
lungs: "By golly!he hain't got no horns!'
A Wife's Power.
A good wife is to man wisdom
strength and courage; q bad one is con.
fusion, weakness and despair. No condi
tion is hopeless to man where the wife
possesses frmness, decision and economy
There is no outward propriety which car
counteract Incidence, extravaganza ano
folly at home. No spirit can long endure
bad influence. Man is strong, but hit
i