The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1894-02-28

! reaching nearly to his waist, while long
curls of snowy hair fell over his shoul-
ders.
His costume was rather on a clerical
order, close vest and coat, the frock OF
| which reached to his knees, while q soft
felt hat rested upon his head.
In one hand he helo black leather
wallet, in the other stout walking cane.
Advancing to the steps, he said Ian.
guidly:
"May sit on this stoop one oment1
I feel weary after very long walk.
Assent being given, he laid down his
cane, but rested the wallet on his knees;
then, removing his hat. he wiped the
perspiration from his high white brow.
"I-am, SIR a clergyman Without q
| charge. My name is Edwin G. Stiles,
and am at present engaged in obtain
ing subscriptions to several periodicals
and religious works.
perhaps I could enlist your sympathy
| in my endeavors; if so, I would be
| pleased to have your name as sub
scriber to this work."
Drawing a handsomely bound book
| from his pocket, he offered it to the Doc
tor for examination.
1t happened to be work he was about
buying, having heard it highly recon-
mended, so Earle pleased the old man by
ordering copy.
After receiving the desired informa-
tion the stranger arose, and bidding
them good-evening passed onward.
Rather singular-looking person,
remarked Ethel, following him with her
eyes, until he disappeared from sight.
"That snow-white hair and beard make
him exceedingly venerable in appear
ance, but l should not think him very
Old"
About sixty-fve or six only, should
judge from his skin. But his pale face
shows that his health must be poor"
"Do you think him really clergy
man?"
mo one seems to know what to think
Of him. l have heard the inhabitants OF
the town speaking Of him many times
lately. All agree he must be very ec'
centric character. Did you notice the
wallet he had in his hand? 1t seems
that he clings to it night and day. He
has been going from house to house since
he came to the village, obtaining sub.
scriptions to his books and papers, and,
being very poor apparently, asks for his
meals, and two or three times has asked
for nights lodging. Being evidently
an educated man and a clergyman, in
poverty and loneliness, it has been given,
but everywhere his mysterious wallet
has occasioned many remarks and con.
lectures as to its contents. If meal is
granted he seems grateful, and leaving
his hat and cane in the hall takes his
wallet to the dining-room and keeps il
within reach of his hand while eating.
He always asks blessing over his food.
and if he stays all night insists upon
reading the Bible and praying with the
family before he retires.
"He prays with the wallet in his hand
"His prayers, say those who have
heard him, are well-worded and really
eloquent.
:. "Several have asked where he resides,
and If he has a family.
"His reply invariably is, that is q
painful subject, and cannot answer
$50 no one knows thing about him,
except that be- calls himself Rev. Edwin
c. Stiles"
allow strange!" returned Ethel, as she
heard the story. "Poor man! Perhaps
his brain is little unsettled"
"The villages seem to think so. Many
of the young men have tried to induce
him to drop his wallet by sundry tricks.
They have suddenly frightened him on
the highway, have stolen in while he has
been eating, and endeavored slyly to pick
it away, but they found him ever on the
alert, so were disappointed.
"This morning was at the village inn,
and there laughed with the rest over the
failure of their last joke. 1t seems he
remained over night at Mr.. Tracy's, who
has son full to the brim Of mischief
So after the old man retired for the
night, wallet in hand, Reuben stole out
to acquaint fellow-plotter with the fact
that old Stiles as they call him, was at
their house, and to ask his assistance
in ferreting out the mystery of the
wallet.
ut was agreed that one should go to
his door about midnight, calling fire,
firen This would naturally frighten him,
and cause forgetfulness; therefore, they
expected he would run out to see where
the fire was, leaving the treasure; then
the other was to dart into his room, seize
the wallet, open it, and so discover the
nature Of it's contents. The whole
joke turned on themselves, however,
when with the first call of fire the door
opened, and old Stiles appeared, wallet
In hand!"
Ethel laughed merrily over the joke,
and then other subjects were intro
duced, and the eccentric visitor was for
pottan