Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1893-09-14
OLD PARSON WADE.

The pOmpOuS little chairman of the
village church committee ended his
neat little speech with a final flourish
IF his fat hands, and, leaning back in
his chair, complacently awaited the re-
ply of his audience, the Reverend
James Wade. But there was no re-
Spouse from the mOtionlcSS figure by
his side. 1t was growing dusk, but the
Pickering freight showed him the out
lines of the old mans gaunt frame. the
droOp Of the bowed head and the
trembling, Wrinkled hand upon which
it rested.
There was something in Parson
Wade's attitude that disturbed the
chairman's self-cOmplacency, and he
shifted uneasily from one position to
another, and wishing heartily that his
words had remained unsaid.
"BleSt if | dreamed the old man
would feel so cut up about it, he said
to himself. "As Mis- Prentice said. he'd
orter expect it, He's he'd his day"
1t had seemed Il simple thing. Old
ParsOn Wade had become Old-fashioned
people of the buStling little factory
village. What was to be done, then
but to throw him to one side, like any
dingy old garment, and replace him
with 4 new minister of later pattern
and more popular style? But, for some
reasons, it is an easier matter to dis
card an old coat than an old pastor
at least so thought Chairman Hicks.
as he glanced uneasily at his com
panion, while several minutes slowly
licked themselves away.
At last the stiffness became unsup-
portable. He started up and fell to
poking the fire with nervous, energetic
strokes, which seemed likely to put out
the flames. His action, however. Serv-
ed to arouse ParSOn Wade. who rose
mechanically, reached for his shabby
beaver hat, and with a low "Gooh
night Mr.. Hicks moved with slow
uncertain steps toward the door.
You won't hold no grudge, parson?'
said Mr.. Hicks, following him. But
the parsOn suffered his nerveleSs
fingers to rest for an instant in The
strong grasp of the chairman, then sill
emily opened the door and went out
He tottered down the steps, and fumb
led several minutes at the gate before
he could open it.
The day was ending in a dreary
rama chilly November rain that
made people turn up their coat collars
with Il SILVER. and remark that winter
was coming. The wind whistled abou
the lonely figure as it crept slowly III
the road. Fitful gusts played with the
thin locks that struggled over his col
lar and pierced his threadbare gar
ments, while the rain moistened his
spectacles so that faded old eyes could
scarcely see the path. But old Parson
Wade seemed to heed neither wind MOI
rain, but, with head bowed low, stag
gered on in the binding storm. II
paSSerSby noticed the desolate figure
it was only to clasp their bundles tight
err. button their coats closer, and hurry
past, leaving him soon forgotten.
The news OF his dismissal had come
to Parson Wade with cruel Suddenness
and only by degrees did he recover
from his half-dazed condition. Over
and over in mechanical fashion he re
peated Mr.. Hicks words, There's
some that's tired of old fashioned doc
trines, and wish a younger preacher
A progressive age, Parson. is tina
we're livin' in" They were tired O.
him, then, that was what it all meant
and there was no longer any use TO
him in the world. 1t would be so al
ways. now; nobody would care for him
or look to him for aid. And-the girls
his daughters, what would they sd,
when they heard of it. how would
they receive this news? With bite
reproaches. with singing words. h,
knew: and the thought sent shudde
through him. Yes, it would make thing
worse for him at home, and thing
were sorry enough there at the best
All through the dreary years sine
his wife's death the old man had bee
under the rule of two unmarrie,
daughters. who made no effort to cor
ceal the fact that their old father wa
an uncomfortable burden on thei
hands. They allowed him shelter an
food to avoid town gossip, and adde
his meager salary to the comfortabl
little income that they gained b
teaching. Bnt by continued taunt
they succeeded in making his Who'll
life sad and uncomfortable. Yet Pal
son Wade always expected that som
day he would come home to find a kin
welcome and loving words from then
They're Mary's children" he woul
say to himself. Surely they must car
a little for their old father" But thi
dreary November night the old con
rorting assurance was no longer hi.
In the bitterness of this new pain b
gave up all hope that he could ever b
wanted anywhere.
With these thoughts in his mind tt