Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1895-02-21
WORN OUT.

"Yes, things In the church are qua,
. all at a standstill, 1t seems to me.
, think Parson Brown ought to open up
little"
/, Mary and were sitting on the front
porch Sabbath afternoon. Mary was
reading sensational stories in Sunday
paper sometimes reading aloud to me.
| was little interested and finally be-
gan doing, but managed to get wide
awake before Mary INDUCED In the
foregoing remark.
: After a moments thoughtful hesita-
ton remarked: "Well. | must say
, I'm getting tired of the same old thing
Sunday after Sunday, the same face,
the same voice, the same gesture and
sometimes the same illustrations.
Now, when was at Spencerville.
where they had just received new
minister, there was so much going on
and everything so lively. There were
all the ladies fixing up the parsonage
and everybody calling there and max
Ing presents, and the house warming.
Dear me- 1t all seemed to make so
much good feeling
'sThat's It," said Mary. "There Is
no feeling at all here. Parson Brown
Is good enough man, but he Is so
slow-positively so slow. 1t sometimes
comes over me, John"-then Mary low
cred her voice, whether 1t was in fear
Of being heard by the leaves of che
apple tree near by, or by the robins
building their nest In the tree top, or
by the old dog Madge that lay on the
mat by the window. l cannot say
"that perhaps 1t would be best for us
to have change OF pastors, though l
would not like to be the one to start
the idea In the parish"
'.No. indeed" said "But still he
has been here long time.
"Yes, and getting trifle old, little
worn-shelf worn, II we were to use a
mercantile term. A younger man, now,
would liver up things. We could pay
him better salary and give things a
new start" answered Mary.
"There Is no fault 10 be found with
Brother Brown, though" said l, for |
could not find 1t in my heart to hear
him run down. "Not bit, not a bit.
It's only that-that perhaps his useful
ness here Is at an end. What do you
say. Mary, to driving over to hear
Parson Jones this morning just for a
change? He is more my style, beats
and wakes folks up. 50 they say"
What" said Mary, "clear over to
Pipetown? /" 1t was ten miles away.
EYES," said. T1l hitch up in a
few minutes, and we can make the
trip in an hour"
Mary made no objectlon-in fact,
rather enjoyed the suggestion In
little while we were spinning on our
way. AS we neared Pipetown we saw
many people on their way to church.
"Great many people out for morning
services" said I. "0ur folks do not
turn out this way"
"Parson Jones Is man that draws"
said Mary. 'keeps up the interest In
the church. you see"
4 There was quite crowd In the en-
try, and as we were waiting for some
one to show us a seat we overheard
a man say:
1uu II ltuI sOlilCtntiS tNOA hthA
Ing today. Mr.. Il couldn't get hold Of
the name. though tried Is going to
preach"
looked at Mary. was afraid she
had set her heart on hearing Mr.
Jones. but as far as | was concerned,
| didn't mind hearing stranger, es-
pecially If he was like what they said,
for they We're talking right on.
Hes a strong preacher-yes, strong.
that's Just the word. We are always
glad when we get him on an exchange.
Wonder he has staid so long In the
country. He's none of your hop and
Jump sort. does not waste any force
In hammerng out sparks, but goes
straight to the truth and drives IT
home and clinches it--that is just the
word-clinches It."
| could see the foiks were expecting
q little something uncommon by the
way they looked as they settled into
their seats was looking about lit
tie - see IL knew anybody present
for had frequently been to Pipetown.
| did not look toward the pulpit till
| heard the minister's voice, and then
| almost jumped from my seat as !
stared at him.
Then | stared at Mary, and Mary
stared at me. 1t was Parson Brown,
as sure as You live. If It 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. II
was very plain that they considered
Parson Brown a great preacher. Their
interest set me 10 noticing him more
carefully finally concluded that
while he was not a handsome man II
II not often you see 4 more scholarly
face or hear more earnest words.
Then noticed the deep lines Of care
on his face. made largely by the heavy