Greenbrier independent. [volume] (Lewisburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1859-1980, 1896-11-05
An Anxious Inquirer.

"
how city drummer met his match
in little country girl.
She was sweet, shy, innocent lit.
tie village maiden, and she seemed
somewhat hurried as she stepped
into the grocery store where our
city drummer was lounging.
The clerk knew her, and while he
did up her parcel of tea, he asked
her if she wasn't afraid to walk
home alone so late at night. She
asked the clerk nervously if it was SO
very late. When he assured her that
it was just nine o'clock, she took up
the parcel and hurried away.
The city drummer, looking on,
thought to himself, 81 1t really is too
bad for such pretty little girl to
walk home alone" So, throwing
away his cigar, he skipped out and
overlook her just as she was turning
dark corner.
Wouldn't you like some COM
pany ?" ho asked, graciously offer
ing his arm.
But don't know you," she said,
hesitatingly.
Don't you? Why, I'm an old
friend of your fathers"
Indeed !" she replied; but she
did not take his arm.
They chatted pleasantly along, he
asking many questions about her
home, etc. He learned that her
father was an invalid, confined to
his room, and that her brother was
absent from town.
They soon came to a neat and
somewhat pretentious cottage, and,
pausing at the gate. she timidly
asked him to come in.
Charmed with her shyness, and
believing the coast entirely clear, the
unsuspicious drummer accepted the
invitation. She showed him into a
tasty little parlor then she asked to
be excused for few moments. AS
she passed out of the door a smile
hoyered about her lips, but the
drummer did not see 1t.
Passing down another hall, she
tapped lightly at another door,
which was opened by a gentleman
of decidedly ministerial aspect.
MIR. Co." she said, "there's a
gentleman in the parlor who seems
to be very anxious inquirer won't
you go and talk to him 2"
"Certainly, my dear" answered
her pastor, who was as prompt to
improve an opportunity to attend to
his business of saving souls as men
of different callings are to drive
sharp bargains. He fastened to the
parlor, glasses and all, and grasped
the drummer warmly by the hand,
heartily.
"Glad to see you, my friend, very
glad to see you"
The drummer stared at the old
gentleman in establishment, and won
dered vainly who he was and WHY
he was so very glad to see him.
The minister drew a chair close
beside him, and, laying one hand on
his knee began very earnestly:
6 Our young friend tells me that
you arc an anxious inquirer. am
always glad to talk with anyone who
is interested in matters relating to
the welfare of the soul.n
The minister paused for a moment,
and the drummer began to turn hot
and cold.
"Have you ever made any pro-
fession Of religion? DO you belong
to any church 2" the minister asked.
encouragingly.
N-no," stammered the drummer,
out loud. Confound that girl"
he muttered, under his breath.
The minister began to see that he
was not getting on, and noticing the
disturbed manner re-
marked:
Something troubles you, nv
friend. Can you not confide in me
Perhaps | can relieve your doubts
and fears"
I'll think I'd better CO." the
drummer said, rising and vainly try
ing to guess which door he came in
at.
"Let us have a season of praying
said the minister; and,
suiting the action to the word, he
kneeled down by his chair. Not
having decided which door he came
in at, and not daring to risk meeting
that "confounded grip by opening
any other, the drummer had moth
ing better to do than to submit to
the novel experience of hearing
himself prayed for.
AS soon as the prayer was ended,
he again essayed to go, but Mr.. G.
bethought himself of the girl" and
stepping to the dining-rOom door,
called:
"Wife, has Lettie gone ?"
"Oh, yes she did not stay. Will
lie went with her, and he's been
gone long enough to get back"
AT last the minister showed the
discounted drummer to the door,
shook him warmly by the hand,
hoped to meet him in heaven, and
let him out into the free air once
more.
AS he passed out of the gate he
heard subdued giggle, saw two fig
ures dimly outlined against the sky,
and a boys voice remarked:
wonder if pa converted him 2"
The "anXious inquirer" isn't anXi-
Gus to inquire after the innocent
young maidens Of our town any
more.
TT DIDN'T TAKE.-During a re-
cent discussion on the subject of
vaccination, when its supporters and
opponents had fairly exhausted their
arguments, one of the company,
who had not hitherto spoken, vOlun-
teered his opinion that, far from be-
ing benefit to the human race, the
precaution was both dangerous and
unnecessary.
81 will give you proof" he said,