The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1894-11-30
WORN OUT.

all at a stanGEtill, II seems to mo. think
Parson Brown ought 90 open up little"
Mary and were sitting on tho 'front.'
porch Sabbath afternoon. Mary was road
Ing sensational stories In Sunday paper,
sometimes reading aloud 70 me- was
little interested and finally began dosing
but managed to get wide awake before
Mary indulged In the foregoing remark.
After moments thoughtful hesitation
remarked; "Well, must say I'm got
ting tired Of the same old thing Sunday
after Sunday, the same face, the same
voice, the same gesture ana sometimes
the same illustrations. Now, when I was
at Spenceryille, where they had Just re-
ceived a new minister there was SO much
going on and everything so lively There
were all the ladies fixing up the parsonage
and every body calling there and making
presents, ana the house warming. Dear
me. 10 all seemed TO make so much good
feeling"-
That's It," said Mary. "There II no
feeling at all here. Parson Brown Is
good enough man, but he is so slow-posi-
lively so slow. 1t sometimes comes over
me, John"--then Mary lowered her voice.
whether 10 was Ina fear of being heard by
the leaves of the apple tree near by, or by
top, or by the old dog Madge that lay on
the mat by the window, cannot say
"that perhaps it would be best for MS to
have a change of pastors, though would
not like TO be the one to start the idea In
the parish"
mo, indeed" said "But still he has
been here long time"
Yes, and getting tri6e old, little
worn-shelf worn, If we were to use
mercantile term. A younger man. now,
would liven up things. We could pay him
better salary and give things new
start, answered Mary.
There is no fault 20 be found with
Brother Brown, though" said /, for
could not find ii In my heart to hear him
run down. Not a bit, not bit. It's
only that--that perhaps his usefulness
here is at an end. What do you say,
Mary, to driving over TO hear Parson
Jones this morning just for changer He
is more my style, beats and wakes folks
up, so they say"
what" said Mary, "olear over 70
PipetownY" 1t was ten miles away.
Yes" / said. "Ill hitch up in o few
minutes, and we can mako the trip In an
hour"
Mary made no objeotion-in fact rather
enjoyed the suggostion-and In little
while we were spinning on our way. As
we neared X 8etown we saw many people
on their way 10 church
Great many people out for morning
services" said L. "Our folks do not turn
out this way"
"Parson Jones is a man that draws"
said Mary keeps mp the interest In the
church, you see. "
There was quite crowd In the entry,
and as we were waiting for some one TO
show as seat we overheard man say:
You'll hear something worth hearing
today. Mr. II couldn't get hold Of the
name, though tried) is going to preach.
looked at Mary. i was afraid she had
set her heart on hearing Mr.. Jones, but
as far as / was concerned l didn't mind
hearing a stranger, especially II he was
like what they said, for .hey were talking
right on.
Hes strong prsocher-yes, strong,
that's Just tho word We are always glad
when we get him on an exchange. Won
der he has staid so long in the country.
He's none Of your bop and jump sort,
docs not wsste any force in hammerins
out sparks, but goos straight TO the truth
and drives it homo and clinches it-that
is Just the word, clinches it."
could sec tho folks were expecting q
little something uncommon by the way
they looked IS they settled into their
seats. was looking about a little to see
II knew anybody present, for l had fre-
quently been to pipetown.
did not look toward the pulpit till
heard the minister's voice. and then al
most jumped from my seat as / stared at
him.
Then stared at Mary, and Mary stared
nt me. 1t was Parson Brown, as sure al
you live. If IL had not been In church,
should have laughed right out TO see Mary's
blank look. But sobered down. Then
] could not help observing how the people
listened. It was very plain that they con-
sidered Parson Brown a great preacher.
Their interest set me TO noticing him
more carefully. / finally concluded that
while he was not handsome man IL is
not often you see a moro scholarly face or
hear more earnest words. Then I noticed
the deep lin, Of care on his face, made
largelS by tis heavy church burdens he
was obliged TO carry. thought Of the
children he had baptized, of the funerals
he had conducted, of the sorrowing
hearts he had oomforted, OF the many
klnu Gnu Htlplui NNlun ne bDOkcH,
and rs tup5 Oh thinking I felt tears
swell in my eyes and run down on my
checks.
When he came 10 his text, Mary gave
me nudge, for, IL you will believe me, 10
was the same we had heard the Sundny
before. But am willing TO confess that
sc was mostly new, for / did not list,
well before. In fact, had got into the
way Of thinking that Brother Browns
sermons were not edifying TO me. ] saw
the man we heard in the entry nod his
head, as much as co say: Didn't tell you
sop That's one Of his olinchers." Afto
the sermon was finished and the hand
shaking time came 1 think Mary and 1
were just n little proud to have folks
know that Psrson Brown was our minis
ter.
We didn't speak word for more than
half tho way home, and then said
II say, Mary, there's such a thing as
going farther and faring worse"
"Woll" I" said Mary, III that's what you
mean, we have been faring just about the