Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1897-03-25
NOT THE PLACE FOR RELIGION.

proves Demonstrative Worshfper.
At one OF the fashionable churches of
the North side the congregation has eN-
tIaordinary ideas of its uses if the senior
warden is to be taken as authority. AT
a recent church celebration he informed
one of the congregation that it was no
place for a display of religious enthusi-
asm and some of the members are still
wondering for what reason the church
really is conducted.
The church is the most aristocratic
upon the North side and has among its
members the most exclusive families
of its fashionable quarter. At the house
of one of these.a noted belle from New
Orleans was recently visiting, and ac-
comparing her upon her trip to the
north as lady's maid was an old black
nanny, who had attended her since
her childhood days. Without this old
aunty the southern beauty was as help
less as babe. So when she went to
balls and dinners the faithful old crea-
ture attended her to see that her toilet
was complete, remove her shoes and
fasten her long gloves. And her at
tendance upon her beautiful young
mistress went so far that she followed
her to church to see that her hat was on
straight, to remove her veil and to re-
place it after service. After her little
duties had been performed for this
charming mistress the old darby was
told to take seat in the gallery and re-
turn to the vestibule in time to be of
service after church.
The old creature did as she was in
structed. She plodded up the long gal
fo.v h
row of the empty wooden benches. The
beautiful choral service soon began and
the old aunty appeared deeply inter
ested in the singing of the choristers.
She leaned far over the gallery and took
it all in. When the clergyman assembled
the pulpit TO preach his sermon the old
black creature was all attention. Her
interest increased as he proceeded, and
when he warmed up to his text her en-
thusiasm grew and she encouraged him
with cries of:
God be praised"
"Amen!"
"Halleluiahi"
Praise the Lord"
The congregation was greatly start
led. Such a scene had never occurred
within this stately structure. The min
lister looked up at the gallery, then
paused and looked at the congregation
in wonder. The old woman quoted
down with the minister's hesitation
but her pleasure in his good words was
shown as soon as he resumed his sub
iect. And her cries were again begun
with greater zeal.
Then the junior warden felt that the
time had come to have the interruption
stopped. He arose from his seat and
looked toward the senior warden, whose
duty it plainly was to end such an un-
timely scene. He nodded at the senior
vestryman, whose popularity with the
gentler sex he felt would tell him how
to act on such an unprecedented occa-
sion. The elderly warden, who is one
of the most dignified of men, left his
pew and tiptoed to the gallery where
the halle1ujahs and amens were still be-
ing called aloud. He went up the long
dark stairs, stumbled down to where
the old woman sat, gently laid his hand
upon her shoulder and pressed his fin
ger to his lips, with a shake of the head
1t made no impression whatever upon
the old aunty. Then, in those tones
which are so familiar to the North side
maids and matrons, he said:
you mustn't act so.''
''I can't help it, chile she called out.
"But don't you know this is no place
for it," he sternly demonstrated
cago Chronicle.
ORACULAR OBSERVATIONS.