Wood River times. [volume] (Hailey, Idaho) 1882-1915, 1893-08-04
TRIALS OF A PREACHER.
incidents In the Life of y Methodist Min
lister Mt = Poor Appointments.

incidents In the Life of y Methodist Min
lister Mt = Poor Appointments
One of the clergy men in the New
York Conference Of the Methodist
Episcopal Church tells this story
abont himself:
when l was the pastor OF small
church in Delaware County, this
State, had a hard time in trying to
keep soul and body together. My
labors were arduOus and the salary
only $4O0 year, and if we had not
received various donations Of pro-
visions from parishioners ala ost
equally poor as ourselves, we would
in all probability have starved to
death
1T was what is known as back.
woods appointment being eighteen
miles from a railroad and located in
a valley created by thickly wooded
hills. 10 give you an idea of our re.
auccd circumstances. / am compelled
to say that there was but one white
shirt in the house. and that was
shared in common by my eldest son
and myself. When he wore it
went into the pulpit without one and
made up for the deficiency the best l
could.
Zone Sunday we had the presiding
elder of the district with lis He
had come the previous night. Early
in the morning he was disturbed by
this shrill question from my son:
Father, father, who wears the
shirt to-day; you or me?'
"Wcll,l was in doubt who was en-
titled to cncase himself in that use
full garment on that occasion, but in
u spirit OF selt-sacritice l shouted
from the confines Of my room, i
think it's your turn, my boy
II thought no more about the mat.
Ter until after breakfast and family
prayers were over: then the elder
took me aside and asked il there was
only one white shirt in the house.
OF course it was an embarrassing
question and l tried to evade making
reply, but he was persistent and
finally was forced to admit the truth
Tears welled up In the elders eyes
and he offered to part with some OF
his meagre hoard OF money, but as
sured him that did not need it, and
as / refused absolutely to accept q
cent he did not press the matter fur.
ther.
'Still, although the elder was a
kind hearted man and receiving but
little more salary than myself, yet he
loved to indulge in practical jokes
On another occasion he accepted an
invitation to dine with us and my
wife, who always seemed to stand in
awe of the big, dignitied elder, made
an extra effort to prepare tempting
repast Oysters were scarce and very
high in that section and consequently
luxury, but my wife concluded that
for once we should have oysters
well, thanks to recent wedd ing
fees, she was able to buy them. Then
she exercised all her ingenuity to
place them on the table in every con-
ceivable form that would please the
eye and crafty the taste.
"WCll, when we sat down to the
table we saw oysters stewed, oysters
flied, oysters roasted, and oysters on
the shell. 1t was literally wilder
ness OF oysters.
Outside OF oysters there was in
fact Tut little to eat except bread,
and butter, apple sauce and, l be-
lieye, some sage cheese. Still the lit
tie woman sat with beaming coun-
tenance, eagerly anticipating the
elders delight at the unexpected
treat.
AFTER blessing had been invoked
l, as a matter OF form, turned to our
guest and inQuirel:
"'Elder, will you permit me to help
you to some of the Oystcrs?' &.
''The elders face assumed a severe
expression as he slowly and deliber-
ately replied:
well, Dominic, l hate to say it,
but the truth Of the matter is l very
seldom eat Uhem'
II glanced at my wife, Her face
was almost crimson hue and tears
were STARTING from her eyes, i think
felt just tritle savage, but l betrayed
no sign.
after few seconds of the most
painful embarrassment ever expert
enced the elder broke the silence, by
saying with unrutl.ed deliberation:
"'YOu see, Dominic, l very seldom
eat oysters, because l very seldom get
them, and he burst into tremend.
Gus roar OF laughter that almost made
the dishes rattle.
'Of course he did ample justice To
the dinner, which at the best was
frugal enough, but don't think that
my wife ever quite forgavc him for
those painful moments of suspense. "
New York Herald.
| story Spoiled.
The romantic young woman's
grandfather was in reminiscent
mood.