Bennington semi-weekly banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 1894-1902, 1895-02-15

he was passing by the group.
"You're going to wait and pray for
the travelling men, aren't you, govern
Or?' Raynes called out
The old man halted.
Bishop! Bishop! Bishop Brown"
he announced i'll deep staccato. mot
GOVERNOR Bishop! Bishop BrownW lie
glanced around to note the effect of this
statement on the crowd. Every one was
smiling except Mr.. Adams, Miss Hal
lies" bad husband, who looked annoy
ed and affected not to see the old man,
whereupon the new made bishop adj
vanced with a series Of low bows and
held out his hand to Mr.. Adams in
greeting
Take it and get rid of him." wits.
pered Raynes good naturally.
But Adams was angry and obstinate
ly looked the other way. The old negro
continued for few moments to Offer
his hand with the most winsome smiles.
Then he drew back and pointed his fin
ger at Adams, convulsing himself with
silent laughter. The crowd could not
hold itself. 1t did not want to offend
the leading man Of the community, but
it had to gutfaw. Raypes and Mont
gomery Stuart were tho only ones who
kept their faces straight and went on
talking.
The whistle of the incoming train
soon made n diversion. 1t came sweep
ing along as if it had forgotten to stop,
then slowed up suddenly, and the peo-
pie streamed out. A stranger would
have thought there was q surprising
number of arrivals for so small a place,
but the habitues Of the platform knew
that half these people had merely step
ped off the train to hear the governor
pray. Some travelling man had thrown
him a coin already, and he had fallen
on his knees, lifting his long bony
hands and his resonant voice to heaven.
whats he saying?" asked man
who had never seen the governor before.
"Ask him when he's DONE" said the
man who had tossed the coin.
''It sounds like mighty earnest pray
ing, but l can't make out a word of it
except Lord now and then" said
the new man, turning to some one else.
Can anybody understand him."
Nobody unless it's the Lord, " re-
sponded the other. But don't worry
about what he's saying Hear him and
watch him, 1uO,,it vO,,o To-, tLo boct
nickel show you'll ever get, and don't
you forget it when he passes the hat"
The old mans face worked with ex-
element. His voice rose entreatingly
and fell to intonations of remorse,
while his long hands reached farther
and farther upward, grasping wildly at
the air, as if he would seize the very
garments of Deity.
"All aboardm shouted the conductor
after the long pause in which several
truckloads of fruit had been passed into
the express car.
"Amen! Amenl Amenp cried the
governor, loaping to his feet Then,
with smiles and genuhections, he pre-.
sented his tattered cap to all who had
not prudently retreated.
"Now's your chanM" the man who
had given the first Xoney said to the
new man. "Ask him what he prayed
about"
81 couldn't make out quite all you
said, uncle" said the questioner, drop.
ping a dime in the cap. "What were
you praying for?"
Praying to save you from the witch.
es and the devil, p" answered the old
man glibly. The gratified auditors, who
had been expecting this explanation,
gave a shout of laughter, in which the
questioner joined as he hurried into the
train.
As the crowd dispersed, Adams found
himself standing by Mr.. Hallam, the
old Baptist minister, who had been
listening in quiet amusement to the
governors prayer. Adams looked at
him in surprise.
'You here, Mr.. Hallam?" he said.
eyes. Why not?" the old man ask.
ed, comprehending perfectly the re.
proach which Adams did not express.
TITS good thing once in awhile to
see oneself as others see one. I've
been told that the governor takes me
for his model, but tell Brother Parish
I'm sure the old fellow has more the
Methodist sty| "
Adams shook his shoulders impatient
ly. WELL, he said, eff you ministers
don't mind being taken off like that, /
suppose it would be officious for any
one to interfere in your behalf. -
You've adopted our ways and con-
verified us to yours until there's not