Waterbury Democrat., 1900-10-27
MR.. EGNEW AND THE BUG.
Entirely Natural Explanation of the Impressed orEaAist's Unnc-
 countabie Conduct.

.
 Before J4mes ". Egnew, chief clerk of the bureau of statistics. came to Indianapolis, says the Sentinel of that city, he lived in the modest town of Lagro, in Wabash cot s.ty. On his na- tive heath Mir. Egnew cut considerable ice. He had nice horse and buggy, played the organ in the church, oc7 casionally sang in the choir and had his clothes made by; Fort Wayne tailor. Recently Mir. Egnsw made visit to Iagro. Sunday evening services were held in the church. and when MT. 'Egnew entered he was immediately surrounded by bunch of his friends, who prevailed upon him to play the organ. He tried to make an excuse, but there was no escape. and like a i0mb he was led unwillingly to the slaughter. The first hymn, shall We Gather at the River?" is one of MT. Egnew's favorites, and he played the music in . way that made the win dows rattle.
 He's in great form" said the bru- nette soprano of the choir.
 Indeed he is." replied the blonde contralto.
 Following the prayer the minister, in slow, solemn tones, announced the next hymn. The congregation" said he, will please unite in singing No. 224. Go Seek and Te Shall Find.'
 MT. Egnew played the prelude, and the minister had given the signal for the audience to arise, when something out of the ordinary happened. The c+c r,1n when the people raised their hcads to see what the matter was they were aEtonished at the wild, hassard look on the face Of the or.aniSt.- With one hand he was vainly endcaVoring to fin ger the keys. while with the ether he clutchcd at his throat as though he would choke. The lady members of the choir looked at him in such re- proachful sort of way that he made a mighty effort to continue playing. 'Go seek and ye-" sang the congre- | gation.
 | With a yell Egnew removed his hands from the keys. and once moro | made grab at his shirt front. Great beads of precipitation stood out on his forehead and the wild look about his eyes caused the dignifed brunette to move a few feet farther away from him.
 Has our Jimmy acquired Lad hab- its during his stay in the city?" asked ono of the members Of the church ot another.
 II am sure I don't know" replied his companion; "his actions are cer- tainly peculiar"
 l l. vo-s' S% 1 aa thR gregation again.
 Once more Egnew faced the instru, 1 ment, this time with a do-or-die look on lis face. He soon took up his cue l and managed to play the first verse 1 through. Then. as the minister read 1 the text. Egnew, without a word ot l explanation, left his seat and ran be 1 hind the organ, followed by several 1 members of the choir.
 What in the world is the matter? exclaimed one of the young women. Matter! Matter." exclaimed Egg new. Good Heavens. look at this. Without further ado he tore open his shirt and drew from his bosom { black, squirming pinching bug full. an inch in length. The bug had SC cured a good hold, however. and wher 1 Egnew tore it loose from his body he was forced to yell. With something i that sounded strangely like d-n he threw the bug on the floor, while the young women stood about and tit tered.
 Mir Esnew returned to the organ finished the music, and after serVlce explained his actions. Then he wa: the hero of the hour and his reputa
 tion was saved.