The mirror. (Stillwater, Minn.) 1894-1925, 1898-11-10
SALTWATER, MINNESOTA, THURSDAY, NOVEMBER TO- 1898

down the ladder that led from the bel.
fry, and out upon one of the large
beams which supported the domed
ceiling, and, seating himself directly
over the pulpit, he motioned me to do
likewise. After 1 had complied, he
told me that the "fock" would soon be
in and cautioned me to be quiet.
was afraid we would be discovered by
the strong sulphury smell which he
emitted, but as thought he might be
touchy upon this point 1 didn't like to
mention it. He must have noticed me
looking at the ventilators and guessed
my thought for he said: "Oh! they
are used to the smell so don't worry"
We had just settled ourselves COM
fortably when the congregation began
to come in so fast that the paws were
soon filled. The choir took their place
and sung hymn, the first verse of
which was:
"Oh, up above there sitteth One,
Of whom we love to tell;
And when our pilgrimage is DER.
In his bright home we'll DWELL
The hymn was certainly we'll rendered,
although some may think it an unfort-
unate selection. It seemed to please
my companion however, for he tip
ped me a most devilish wink, The
parson offered prayer. i'll should
give the full text some people might
it and think me sacrile-
gious. AS [ do not wish to offend the
"good people" 1 gaess Ihad better leave
it out; only saying that he thanked the
Lord for having again been permitted
to meet in the holy sanctuary, where
Satan, with his wiles and wickedness
could never enter. He lashed the Old
Boy pretty hard though, and caused
him to whisk his tail several times, I
asked His Majesty if he succeeded in
getting many of these people on his
books. In reply he said that it was all
about his setting traps to lure
people from righteousness into sin, for
when anyone was thoroughly imbued
with the spirit of Christ, he had no in
fluence over them, and at once scatched
them off his list.
"Why Jack" said he, elf these people
had the faintest conception of the
spirit of Christ, and believed that one
human soul was of more value than all
the world, they would not stay here to
talk, but would rush out and try to
save the wretched and suffering. This
is only a mutual admiration society. If
some poor lost wretch should happen
to stagger in here now they would
drive him out"
How about the parson, asked. He
seems to be little sore on you.
"Oh, have got the parson all right"
he said, although he made me a lot of
trouble at one time. He used to preach
in very poor parish once without sal
ary, and lived among his flock, many
of whom he got away from me. l got
him however, for he married a fashion
able wife, and has now become only a
salary hunter.
l had noticed very pious looking
gent in one of the front pews to whom
attention was especially attracted by
his carrying around large silver plate
upon which he collected money from
the others. Perhaps it was but my pro-
fessional instinct. Well, "business is
business" you know. 1 asked the Dev-
ii who he was, adding that 1 thought
such good old gentleman could hard
ly be on his list.
My companion laughed, saying:
"Well Jack, he is no friend of yours if
you only knew it. You noticed that
bank across the street?" l immedi-
ately disclaimed all knowledge of
banks in general and that bank in par
ticular, but he paid no attention to me,
saying: "That old gent is president of
the bank, and he is working a clever
scheme. He has got all the funds of
the bank safely hidden away, and has
been circulating rumors that there is to
be large sum Of money on hand at
certain time. He hopes in this way to
entice some gang of robbers to come
and break open the vault, they getting