The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-11-14
STORIES BY PREACHERS
SEVERAL THAT HAVE RECENTLY
RECALLED LOCAL AUDIENCES.
Rev. Mr.. Pounds's Experience with a
Bereaved Husband-The Tale
Of Shortened Trousers.

Some of the stories that emanate from
modern pulpit orators would not be out of
place in that ancient work. Joe Millers
Jest Book" Most of the jokes are I'M
original as the jests accredited to the IL
literate Joseph, but, as did the bon mots
attributed to him, they generally serve to
point a moral, If not adorn tale Some
of the stories told by preachers are bright.
Last week a divine from Chicago lee
tured before the Congregational Club. He
had about him a breezy delivery, reminis-
cent of the Windy City. What the subject
of his lecture was is not to the point but
it was long drawn out, and he became con-
scious of the fact, he said, that an audi
ence might have too much of good thing.
like the man who bought a pair of ready
made trousers that were six inches too
long He did not discover this until he had
taken them home and tried them on. Then
he asked his wife to cut off six inches
from the legs The wife was about to go
to prayer meeting.
I'm no tailor" she said, with a toss of
her head, as she crossed the threshold IT
know nothing about shortening trousers"
The mans sister and mother overheard the
conversation, and in their hearts pitied
him.
Johns wife don't treat him right" said
the mother, while his sister was in the
parlor entertaining caller, ''I'll just fix
up those trousers" She cut off six inches
and then folded them up, just as they came
from the store, intending that he should
have pleasant surprise the next morning.
After the sisters caller was gone she got
to thinking Of Johns ungrateful wife.
Poor fellow said she Il must fix those
trousers for him" She likewise cut off six
inches, and then rolled them UP again. as
neatly as when they came out Of the store
Now, it happened that Mrs. John was
touched at the prayer meeting, and, on her
way home, got to thinking what a good
husband Mr.. John was, how thoughtful and
considerate he had always been and how
he had often sacrificed his own pleasure
and comfort for hers, and her heart was
smitten with remorse.
81 will not sleep this night said she, "un-
til have fixed the dear fellows trousers"
Once again the shears were applied and
six inches more were cut away from the
bottom of the legs.
Johns dismay was great in the morning
when he put the trousers on again, expect
ing to roll them up London fashion at the
bottom.
Rev. ]. E. Pounds told two or three good
ones at a meeting of the Christian Endeavor
Society the other night, as warning to his
hearers against hiding their light under
bushel. Let the redeemed of the Lord say
So was his text.
There was a man, he said, to whom the
financial committee of a church in this city
applied for subscription The man re-
fused, with divers expressive words, to give
a - cent to the church. A few days after
wards the committee was surprised to re-
ceive check for very liberal amount
from the man. after you left me- he
explained, 81 found that my wife had been
a member Of your church for ten years"
On one occasion minister in this city
was called to the bedside of dying wom-
an. She passed away and the clergyman
performed the obsequies. A few days
after he thought it but proper to call on
the bereaved husband. He found him go
ing over lot of letters and documents yell
lowed by age. These are poor Mary's pa
pers," said the sorrowing husband. 81
thought that would sort them out and
burn those did not care to keep. Here
said he. handing the pastor an envelope,
sis her church letter. Mary and came here
twenty-four years ago. You can see that
she has carefully priced the church letter
that was given here when we left our form
err home. ] want you to take it with you
and have it recorded on the books that
she was a member of the church."
DR.. Pounds vouched for the authenticity
of this story. The congregation inferred
that he was the pastor who had had this
experience