The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1893-12-31
DIR. PAxToN,s WHISPERS.
It Was to Avoid Mistakes of Identity
That He Parted With Them.
From the New York Sun.

From the New York Sun.
81 don't suppose that any one among
DR.. PaXton's congregation knows that
when he first went to Harrisburg to
preach, and for long time during his
pastorate there, he wore a long and hand
some beard, - said resident of Harris
burg, a member of the congregation to
which DIR. Paxton used to preach in that
city "If any one of the Doctors friends
in New York does know that fact, would
be willing to bet that he doesn't know
why the doctor parted with his beard, of
which he was extremely fond. violate
no confidence in telling why the pastor
and his beard separated, for every one in
Harrisburg knows the story.
"a certain citizen of Pennsylvania
capital, at the time DR.. Paxton lived
there, bore very striking resemblance
TO the preacher. The man was painter
by trade, and on the street dressed in
sober back. His beard was his pride,
aud 1t was one of the identical cut of DIR.
Paxton's. He apparently was not aware
of this fact, nor that he was the eloquent
doctors double, for he did not know the
preacher. not ubeing himself in any
way addicted to churchgoing. He was
passionately fond, though, of the drama,
and especially of that style of drama in
which lovely woman, sparsely clad, is the
leading feature This style of dramatic
dTb ID pOpuldE III I1dIIAouuIkt CopGCld44g
during the sessions of the legislature, it
being an historic fact that matters of
state calling for consideration
at night sessions Of Pennsylvania law
makers, are invariably deferred until an
other time, If on these nights, there is a
leg show in town. This particular citi-
zen am speaking of never missed any ex-
hibition Of this kind, and one evening
two of DR.. Paxton's friends-I won't say
| chi cd IN droVN ~ a
opera house, where the drama was being
put through its PAGES in an especially
| economical way as to female garb. They
were in subdued enjoyment of the enter
| tainment when one of them suddenly be-
came pale and then red. He nudged
his companion and whispered:
4" Goodness gracious Look at the
first row, end seat, of the orchestra cir
clel'
THE other man looked as requested.
Then he in turn got pale and red.
"'Great Scottp he said. Who'd have
thought it. Let's get out before he sees
us.'E
"The two got up and, of course, sur
prised people by the haste they made in
getting out of the house. In the course
OF day or two certain circles were dis
cussing with bated breath how DIR. Pax
ton had been seen at the opera house,
occupying lIOub-TOW Stdb, anu enjoying
with unquestionable appreciation the
most astounding exhibition that had ever
been seen on the stage in Harrisburg. At
the next show of the kind the man in
sober black and the unmistakable beard
was occupying the same seat, and again it
was talked about that DIR. Paxton had
! taken in leg show, This thing went on
until friends of the doctor had resolved
to speak to him about it and demonstrate
with him, when one day leading MEM
Der Of DR.. Paxton's church met, as he
supposed, the pastor in a barber shop, and
ssluted him. To his surprise the pastor
said
you've got the best of me don't
know you.' Explanations followed, and
the Doctors friend discovered how his
| double had been inadvertently and un-
consciously placing the popular preacher
in terrible light before his people. The
friend offered the man s. if he would
have his whiskers shaved of, which was
50 wrathfully resented by the owner of
the beard that the pastors friend fed
from the barber shop in confusion. but
he went straight to DR.. Paxton and in
formed him of the melancholy situation,
and the doctor restored the former status
by promptly sacrificing his own fine crop
of chin whiskers. And that is the reason
that he wore only moustache when he
beamed for the first time on his New
York congregation.