The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1900-04-19
AMinisteriaI Surprise

II a few miles beyond anywhere;
and it is - or was - tired of itself
Everyone in it wondered why anyone
else had moved there, and rather sus-
pected that it was for reasons which
were best kept quiet. If anyone at
Green island showed any talent, ev-
eryone else was quick to proclaim that
it was quite inferior-else why should
the person be at Green Island? The
town was without social pleasures. No
one thought to ask anyone else to
dine. In the strict sense of the word
indeed, no one at Green Island dined
The folks ate when the table was set
that was the fact of the case
School-teachers who went there had
melancholy time, and usually broke
down and had to go home. Their
complaints bore various names, but
as a matter of fact, they were perish
ing of inconsistencies. 1t would not
have done for a Green Island girl to
have taught. No one would have con-
fidence in her. Even the town physi-
clan was regarded with constant dis
bAuots uliNt liio CuStCSoIul StoNS WEI Z
accounted accidents. or the work of
nature, while his unsuccessful ones
were remembered with unrelenting te-
nacity. The attorneys alone enjoyed
something like a reputation, and they
had a great deal to do. In fact, liti-
cation was one of the few diversions
of the folk at Green Island
ba loI e
1t had three different brands - all
blown in on the bottle. And the one
display of courtesy in the place was
the obligation, generally recognized
of everybody to attend an ice cream
social or an oyster supper, regardless
of views about REORGANIZATION or i'm
mersion. By such contrivances were
the clergymen paid their salaries
those microscopical salaries so grudg-
ingly bestowed. so complaisantly rec
objected by the congregation as it sat
estimating whether or not it was get
ting its moneys worth. None of the
three churches had been able to Sc
cure resident clergyman, but each
divided its preacher with certain 9TH
er congregations on an itinerary, and
enjoyed a sermon once in three Sun
days. But that Sunday might not be
passed without worship it was the
custom of the Green Island folk to at
tend en- masse whatever meeting
house was open. This. it will be per-
ceived, caused Il systematic rotation
Now it happened that the clergy
man at one of these churches. having
gathered six olive branches about him.
found it inconvenient to live on $3.50
year-he was said by all to be an
extravagant man-and he gave up his
position; aye, turned his back on his
calling and taught Latin in certain
high school. That was how it came
about that the Beth Eden congrega-
ton and the two other churches of
that itinerary stood in need of a new
preacher. One offered himself. He
came from the middle west And he
gave it out that he was going to live
at Green Island. This was really
feather in the cap of Green Island.
but the people did not take it so.
They wondered what was the matter
with him. Was there any reason why
he preferred an inland to railway
town? 1t was curious.
When he appeared, it seemed still
more curious. He was different. No
matter what anyone else was like. he
was different. He walked along with
big swing and stride and seemed to
think all the people liked him. What
impertinence! He was dressed in an
elegant suit of shot gray-was it not
known that the uniform of a Green
Island preacher, no matter what his
denomination, was shiny black? His
hat was an inch and half too far
on the back of his head for clerical
dignity, and from the edge protruded
fringe of handsome red curs His
eyes were red-brown. large and laugh
ing, his heavy auburn eyebrows met
above his nose, he was smooth-shaven.
and had a dimple in his chin. He was
just the right height for his Shout
ders, which were two inches broader
than the average. He had dark tan
shoes. no cane. no umbrella. no smirk.
no rubbing of the hands. no whine. no
attitude of humility. And. powers
above! When he got to fence he
yaulted over.
He had evidently made up his mind
to stay, for he began his activities.
not by calling on his parishioners but
by purchasing barn at the end of
peculiarly shady and beautiful old lot.
and he proceeded to ft it up into a
most picturesque abiding place. Peo-
pie came around to see what he was
doing, and he put up seats under the
trees, and talked and told stories till
they forgot to go home. But this was
in the evening. If they called during
the day he went right on with his
carpentering or painting or garden
ing, and invited them to take hand.
When he came to preach his first
sermon everybody was agog.
do yeh think he'll go into the pull
pit in that there speckled suit?" Mary
Fennig asked of Cora Belle Harmon.
They and the other girls were intense
ly interested. But he was in black.