Greenbrier independent. [volume] (Lewisburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1859-1980, 1895-09-19
Filling q Vacancy.
PARsoN wINTERwELL's MIsCHIEy.
Gus PUPPY.

Parson Winterwell dreaded to
meet his congregation that Sunday
morning. Just an hour before SER
vice puppy belonging to his young
est boy had made it's way into the
study, and, in mischievous spirit
of puppyhood, had seized the min
lster's sermon which lay on a chair
by the door, and, ere he was discov-
cred, had succeeded in chewing the
last third of it into fragments. This
was the humiliatIng disclosure which
Parson Winterwell had to make to
his congregation. Eighthly, ninthly,
tenthiy, were gone; and there was
no way to recover them, apparently,
as even Parson Winterwell had for
gotten what they were.
So, when the dear, old-fashioned
minister had preached through sew
enthly, he told his people what had
happened, promised them that 1t
should not occur again, and dis
missed the congregation fully twenty
minutes earlier than usual.
Now it chanced that the annual
donation party was to come off at
the parsonage about two weeks after
this providential docking of Par
son Winterwell's sermon by the mis-
chievous puppy. The worthy pas
tor and his wife looked forward to
this accustomed event with great
expectations for the good country
people had been wont, in times past,
to encourage their minister on this
occasion by generous gifts Of cord
wood, flour, potatoes, pork, corn
meal, etc., and, as crowning gift,
they generally presented him with
the sum of money aggregating ten
or fifteen dollars. 1t was to this lib
eral contribution in cash that Par
son Winterwell and his wife looked
forward with especial delight; for
ready money was a luxury which
they enjoyed bat seldom.
The eventful evening came, and
the parsonage was thropged with de-
voted parishioners. Every one
brought something in the way of a
if it was no more than
Dince pie or a red apple. About
twenty bushels Of potatoes, five
quarters of beef, eight sacks of flour,
and two barrels of pork had been
carried down cellar; and now Par
son Winterwell and his wife were
standing in the little faded parlor,
receiving congratulations, and ner-
vously awaiting the customary pre-
of cash.
Suddenly that hush which an
nounces some preconcerted move
ment fell over the company, and
Deacons Nathan Berry and Enoch
Wells were seen making their way
toward Parson Winterwell and his
wife. Deacon Berry held a squirm-
ing black puppy under his left arm.
Deacon Wells stepped in front of
his coadjutor, and made the follow
ing speech:
I" Beloved pastor, it has been our
custom in years past to express our
feelings of loyalty and affection to
yourself and your esteemed and be-
loved wife on this occasion by add
ing to our other gifts a small sum Of
money; but this year, in view of a
recent vacancy which has occurred
in this happy household, and which
we all sincerely regret, we decided
to devote the money to the purchase
of full-blooded Newfoundland
puppy, which we hereby have the
pleasure of presenting to you in
place of his predecessor, who de-
parted this life 30 suddenly and
mysteriously. We trust that this
fine animal will be allowed the free
dom of your study, and be permitted
to enjoy all the privileges of a house
hold pet and companion"
Hereupon Deacon Berry stepped
forward, and delivered the wrig-
Cling, bright-eyed, curly-coated
Newfoundland puppy into the hands
of astounded Parson Winterwell.-
A shout of joy went up from the
younger Winterwells, and the clap
ping of hands crackled through the
crowded rooms away out into the
kitchen.
Parson Winterwell was too over
come to respond. He turned aside
to hide his emotion and deposit the
puppy on the floor.
The next Sunday, and thereafter,
the good mans congregation OBJ
served, with rejoicing, that he had
not failed to interpret the hint they
sought to convey.
-S<sOs<S--