Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1904-08-26

Joe Birch wanted a little more persua-
sion. Then he says
I'm lend you a half dollar. If you'll
promise to pay me back"
IAN right" 1 says.
l got one or two more quarters, mostly
in pennies, and then went to old Broth
er Muggridge. who was a-settin at the
back of the chapel. He was the meanest
old man in the village for all he had
plenty of money. The Reverend Eben-
ezer Grips was a-prayin' louder than
ever.
Mr.. Muggridge," 1 says, I'VE wants
some more cash, SOS we can get his five
dollars. VIII you help us?"
l saw his eyes sparkle. He was always
mighty keen on bestin' a man.
i've give you ten cents already" he
whispers, "and I can't afford no more.
My hay CROP"
"'Tain't a question of crops" I says.
I'VE must have that five dollars. VIII
you lend US some money!"
Up came Deacon Brown at that mo-
ment.
How much have you got2" he whis-
pers.
l told him.
Lord sakes," he says. Come Mr..
Muggridge! Lend us five dollars II you
can't give it,"
IF thought you'd pay me back" he
began.
Wen pay you back. right enough"
But I've only got your word for it,"
What more dye want?"
Il wants an l. o. u, says he, in a
hoarse whisper.
Come into the vestry mani! says
Brown. Look alive--he's finishin'i
We dragged the old chap into the YES
try, and Brown got a bit of paper out of
his pocket book. He scribbles on it
"a lea 70
IS for value received"
Then he dates it, and we both sign our
names Brother Muggridge, he looks at
the paper and then pulls out FIVE dol
lars. l puts down the total, and we goes
back into the chapel. The minister was
just a-fnishin as l hands 1t up to him.
1 shall never forget his face when he
read the figures. He turned red as a
brick"
Deacon" says he, sis this correct?"
1T is, brother; praise the Lord!'
'Id-Td like the see the money Dea-
con, he says, gettin' redder as he spoke
So brings in the plate. and he counted
the lot.
Friends he says. 1.-THE collections for
today amount to $45.O7."
'Halleluiah!" shouts the congregation
Il never thought" he goes on with a
siekly smile, that the IS would have left
my pocket. But I said II you got s45
I'd make it up to so, and ri stick TO
my bargain. So II put in IS and take
out seven cents that will make it right"
Then We sang the benediction, and
didn't we Just roar 1t out, too. AS for
the minister, he came straight down from
the pulpit and never said a word to no
one-no, he didn't even shake hands with
me and Deacon Brown, but he Just went
out OF the door and started for Burches-
ter like dog with his tail between his
legs.
Next day Brother Muggrldge went
round to Deacon Brown with the /. o. U.
and asked for his money back The Dea-
con laid down the five dollars, got the
paper in exchange, and then he said.
with a sweet smile,
I'm a-preachin' up at the chapel next
Sunday, Mr.. Muggridge"
of that?"
I'm a-goin to show them this bit OF
paper and tell them how generous YOU
was last night, Mr.. Muggridge"
You won't do no such thing" says he
Yes. l shall. shall tell them the whole
story-how you wouldn't even lend to the
Lord without note for vally received"
Then Brother Muggridge made some re-
marks.
Them words amt such as a Christian
man should use, Mr.. Muggridge," says the
Deacon but I'll tell you what. You give
me back that five dollars. and I'll burn
the paper and say nothing about It,"
And in the end Brother Murpridge
gave up the five dollars, and Deacon
Brown smoothed him down a bit by
telling him as how the Lord loveth a
cheerful giver
AS for the Dorchester folks. they often
asked how we got that five dollars
we told them Little Marpleton folks
knew thing or two about collections.
Anyway the minister never made n
sim lar offer-leastways, so I've heard.
But he was apowerful preacher.-[Pear-
sons Magazine.