The times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1882-1897, 1894-12-28
ABSOLUTELY @EyEEs

tured in after years. 1t is no wonder then
that the church was well attended in spite
OF the drizzlng rain. The mayor of the
town and the aldermen attended in body
and sat in a part of the building reserved
for their special use. They wfra preceded
by the beadle carrying q gold-pIated mitre
over his shoulder, while behind them came
several other officers wearing long 'drab
clOaks. Nearly every town of any size
has some of Her Majestys troops quartered
preceded by their band aud they, too, have
a particular portion of the church reserved
for their use. The brilliant red OF their
coats forms striking contrast to the habits
Of the clergy of whom there seems to be
great sulficiency,
All the Sunday school children are safely
housed in the gallery and over each band, or
class OF youngsters is placed model young
man who keeps the kids in order as best he
can. One young fellow with progressive
mustache attractei my attention by his
frantic efforts to preserve order. Prayer
book i'm hand he wonld read response or
two and then some boy would disturb his
piety. Instantly bis mouth would be twist
ed into wrathful expression, his brows
would contract and he would go through
regular pantomime to express his righteous
indignation. Thanks to his amusing antics,
l kept awake for long time, but as it was
a ri in hax h.
Lords Prayer and the creed at least twice,
besides numerous other prayers / never
heard before, slowly but surely yielded to
the sopOrifc effect OF the droning chant,
regret to say fell fas. asleep. When the
vicar began his sermon L awoke because of
the cessation of the lullaby. His sermon
was from the book Of Daniel and was de-
livered in slow sing. song manner. About
all that l could make out was that good
| Christians should turn to the east when say
ing their prayers, and that praying was
most acceptably done in kneeing posture.
He did not mention the tariff once, nor did
he invoke the Divine blessing upon Saint
Grover, though English tradesmen are
never wearied OF telling me how cheapy
we could get their wares if only the tariff
were removed.
| Doubtless you will begin to think that
am becoming religious myself. Well, real
| ly l am feeling rather piOus just at present.
The whole city puts mo in mind of juye-
nile birthday party OF some years ago when
every child put on company manners with
his Sunday clothes and the girls were all
prime and precise. Is il any wonder then
| that | ShOnlh fOllnyv suit and do NV laval
best to be as respectable as any English
man. | have not heard any cuss words
since ! have been here, and no doubt
would use an nndertone myself il felt like
| indulging in any such luxury. Even
boots" looks like bishop and talks like
preserved specimen OF responsibility. In
fact il pays much better out here to be pi-
GUS. than at home. Many towns in Eng
land are LYING in devout yeneration for
their past history. They are magnificent
specimens OF 'have beens, and appeal won
derfully to Americans from the wild and
woolly west, where everything is in the
present. So they have old towns, and
buildings, the old religious and the old re-
spectability and the American because he is
fond of q change, comes along and enjoys
it all, especially the very respectable bills
he is asked to pay ut the end of the enter
tainmeDt. There is wonderful cleanli
ness and order everywhere, you are given
good attention and good accommodation.
and you pay very good price for II also.
One is afraid to speak to the servants at a
hotel because he will have to pay for his
information under the head OF attendance.
Very polite answers are given to all ques-
tions, but you pay for every word with in
terest at per cent. To ask for informa-
tion on the street is to subject yourself to a
long tale Of woe, all leading up to the urgent
need Of a sixpence from the American gen
tlemen. Policemen and railway officers are
the only persons who do not expect tips,
and even they are not above suspicion.
CEPHIL.