The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1895-09-20
HIS CHIEF OBJECTION.


IIampshire there are frequently some
sharp speeches made, and some witty
Jokes played upon each other, by the
Inhabitants, which contribute much to-
wards smoothing the chilling blasts
and the rugged asperitics of the coun-
try In that romantic region And while
the following story is not one of the
first water, 1t has been thought too
coed to be lost.
Dr. B. commenced practice I'm one OF
the largest and most wealthy farming
towns IN Bcl<nap County, \. III. About
the time that he located there the Rev.
Mr.. T., was duly set oyer a large Meth
'odist Church and society In the same
town as pastor, and, though very
young man, he was so genial, kind
hearted, and hlgh-mindcd that he was
soon regarded as Il valuable citizen. a
working Christian, ana worthy pas
tor
Although n Congregational worship
per, the doctor very soon became a
warm friend and n frequent compan-
ION of the Methodist parson.
In about one year. however, circum-
stances of business nature induced
ihe doctor to remove his professional
relations from this place to the beau
fiful inland town of c., in Rockingham
County, some six or eight miles distant
from and north of Londonderry.
Thenceforth this pleasant acquaint-
anceshlp, SO happily inaugurated, was
Interrupted and broken up, and for a
period of ten years these dignitaries
vere so immersed in professional duties
that they had never met.
Early one warm Sabbath morning In
July the doctor had Il professional call
10 n neighboring town about five miles
distant i'm southerly direction; he an
Ewcred the summons. and was return
ing home near the hour of the morning
church service.
The day was exceedingly warm. the
bright morning sun, mounting aloft TO
mis- MONDAY post, was pouring his
piercing rays aslhnt upon earth, man
and beast with almost whitening heat.
The doctor, as though to take ad-
vantage of every mitigating circum-
stance, had slackcned the speed of his
horse. and was slowly and leisurely
ascending the rising bluff or swell
which overlooks the village of G. from
the south. While thus diligently pur-
suing his journey home, and slowly
approaching the summit Of the range,
he could distinctly hear the chimes OF
various bells in the distance as they
pealed forth their solemn and urgent
voice of invitation alike to the devout
and humble worshipper and the list
less. gay and fashionable church goer.
The summit reached, he could dis
tinctly see the groups OF citizens as
they approached the several churches
of c. from their rural homes among
the hills in various quarters of the
town, scattered along the highways
and pursuing their way thither, attired
in various styles of dress, surrounded
by equipage fashionable or not, accord
ing to the taste and ability of the indi-
vidual, and moved by widely different
motives.
At this point the doctors attention
was drawn towards the foot of the hill
in the direction of c., where a carriage
was approaching with fearful rapldity,
and the rider or driver was urging his
horse forward with active demonstra-
tions of voice and string. The doctor
at once supposed the occupant to be
some hasty messenger of sickness,
death or woe, in quest of medical aid,
and accordingly nerved himself for the
shock.
At length the parties met. and 10!
the messenger of sickness and calamity
is no longer an object of terror and
alarm, but minister of peace, an
angel of mercy, hurrylng on to pro
claim glad tidiugs in another land and
ueliverunce TO other Gentiles.
1t is the doctors quondam friend, the
Methodist parson, the Rev. Mr. Il.
Recognition at once took place; they
were rejoiced to meet again, to see
each other on terrestrial ground, and
hastily inquired for each others wei
fare, their families, etc.
But why" says the doctor, why are
you here at this hour or the day, and
on this day too, and driving in this
Jehu style? What means all this
And your horse-why, sir, he Is all
foam! You will soon spoil him, If you
have not already"
Said the reverend: II have been
preaching over here in TIE town of
Blank for few years past, and have
agreed upon an exchange with the c.
parson, and am on my way thither
and being little belated, l guess
may have driven little sharply
Doctor" continued the parson, Il have
q fine horse here; he Is a very nice
fellow; | got him in a swap few days
since and think | made great trade
he is a splendid animal and great
roadster"
Il think very likely" returned the
doctor, feeling a little abashed by such
1ocky logic by n clergyman on his way
10 the pulpit.
The parson, continuing, said: Doc
tor, think you made mistake wher
you chose your profession"
why so!' was the inquiry.
Because you should have been {
minister"
"Oh, no." says the doctor, II am no
the man for Chat noble position, tina
high calling. l have many reasons t.
urge as objections, three in particular
First / am not Il man of sufficient,
large ability; again, fear | have no
grace enough,
but what next?" said the parson.
well" replied the doctor, II do no
make good trade when ] swal
horses
The parson struck for the Gentil
ro~lnn hada the doctor good -mOrniul