The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1899-09-17
HIS RESERrE FUND OF pIETT.


tagcs lie knew that he could slice and slice the
roast until he got right in where twas juicy as he
liked his beef Mrs Singctary preferred the outer
slice, and although she knew that John Henry
liked IL where the blood followed the knife she had
trained him to remember that Monday was wash
day and that II he did not allow for cold roast beef
he would go hungry. hut when there was guest
at dinner he could cut rightnt where he likedt
1t was not their own minister He ought 10
have returned from Europe by this time but he
had written TO the Session that all accommoda
tons had been taken up months ago and he could
not get berth on any boat before the middle OF
November, whrreupon John Henry had said TO Mrs
Snglctary. THAT parsOn OF yours Is a bird" Dur
ing the enforced absence of the IN mister tho Session
had secured the services of a stated supply, the
Rev Calvin Knox. ID. d., and II was he whom
Mrs Singletary had invited home 10 dinner with
her and whom she had just introduced Ia her hus-
band. Leaving the man and the minister together
she excused herself on the plea OF laying off her
wraps thin pretcnce to veil her trip 10 the kitchen
10 see that the dinner all right and 10 warn the
waitress not 10 put the beer the table, but To
leave II on ice until later. That she was going to
have this Sunday dinner pass off properly was
manifested in a little note which she inserted in
her husbands napkin, "lie sure to invite him 10
ask the blessing"
When they were seated at the table Singctary
f,imbed that confidential communication about as
clumsily as an ordinary man would when confront
ed with n domestic emergency, but he did do the
right thing in the end and the meat was blessed
according To rule
Perhaps DR. Knox would rather have piece
better done, my dear" said Mrs Singletary.
"Oh no not at all, | assure you" said the
preacher hastily; 1T is quite as prefer it"
AT any rate let me give you some Of the dish
gravy" said John Henry
Il didn't see you at church." the minister began
by way Of making conversation.
We'll ! didn't see you there, either" was the
response that the head of the house was tempted
10 make But Mrs. Smglctary, who never pre-
tends to be the head Of the house. but is much
like bonnet in that she occupies a position SUI
pcror to the head, intcrposed 10 prevent the
response she knew John Henry was plotting
40, doctor" she said 1T is one Of the trials
Of my life that cannot get MIR Sngletary 10
20 10 church with me. lie has never made
profession OF faith. but he is always very respect
full toward religious obscrvances and he scers
TO take a great interest i'll all that sort Of thing.
but he will not go to church He seems to prefer
to sit at home and read instead Of hearing an
cdifyng discourse such that you delivered
this morning | wish that something could be
done to make him change"
Here was manifest opening II this particular
hrnnd were TO be snatChcd from the burning
and there might have been an interesting
gumcnt il it had not been for John Henry Sin
gletary's agility i'll getting the first rap at it,
Mrs Singletary has never been able to ap-
prcciatc my feeling on this matter" he began,
and that is probably only natural for tho feminine
mind iS-wcll, il is the feminine intellect So to
speak. But as man and divine, doctor, YOU
will he able To understand my position When
ia, IL, ,I,,,
she fails To be convinced that am really at church.
Now that's purely Il matter Of business. as much
SO as the collection for home missions | think
you Will understand it in an instant when | say
that am drawing on my reserve fund"
There, DR.. Knox" exclaimed Mrs SinElctary.
that's Just what he always tells me, and do not
think il is right for him "a say that he is at church
when he is sitting in his shirt sleeves here at
home smoking his pipe"
There, Doctor" continued John Henry, that's
Just what told you; think you will agree with
me about the feminine mind. But 10 a man Of
affairs, can explain without difficulty. ! wish
dear, you would have Mary bring me one Of your
religious wccklicS, any one will do. Thank you
ever SO much. Now, Doctor if You will look
| over hero in the financial department, these are
excellent tips for certain class Of operators on the
Street We'll, now, look at these various financial
statements. Each one contains this item. reserve
fund or undivided surplus. Well, that's Just
where | am i'll the matter Of going To church |
sit at home and smoke. but by drawing ON my
reserve fund am really at church. It's just as
plain any matter Of business. and that il is
really business matter you can see from the fact
| that it appears in the religious wccklcs They
careful To admit nothing but business there"
but, Mr.. SinElciary," replied the minister
Il must confess 10 sharing your good wilcs opin-
| /
the same time | understand all about
reserve funds, but that cannot apply in this case
| for you cannot have an undivided surplus Of
| church going
| Come then" said the head Of the house. let
lis figure ON this little. How much time should
spend i'll public religious EXERCISES n week"
| Il never thought Of II in that way said the
minister. and am puzzled 10 give an answer"
Its easy enough" replied Singletary, while
his wife looked in the hope that professional
| theology would succeed where she had failed 50
| consistently. Sunday morning service that =
| an hour and n half and an hour Sunday
evening makes two hours and n half: and an hour
| for Wednesday evening prayer meeting would
make three hours and half Well say four
| hours II week for an figure. Can you think
! If any more time that even the most consistent
| church goer could put in al il? Now, on the other
| hand, went 10 a college where chapel was com
| pulsory and We had 10 turn ont every morning,
| no matter what the weather was. and on Sundays
| it was harder yet Now have the whole account
figured out and that college chapel is my reserve
| fund. Instead Of going to church now ! stay
home and draw the proper number Of hours against
| the reserve According 10 my figures my reserve
| fund is large enough To last over any ordinary
usage for twenty eight years and seven months,
| and as | am young yet that leaves me- a consider.
| able period before | am really what YOU might
| call due at church again"
! Il never have viewed with favor the system Of
| compulsory religious exercises at our higher in,
| situations Of learning" said the Stated Supply.
| and then lodged the other question by wandering
| of 10 educational topics, Mrs Singletary would
| give great deal 10 know whether The minister
| approved Of her husbands line Of argument. for
she would hate 10 be put in the position Of urging
| him 10 60 TO church only To have him rctou that
| the minister approved his course
| Indian Canoe That Could Cross the Ocean
with 100 People.
From tie SedtNS Times.