The San Francisco call., 1904-02-14
THE Rev. Mr.. DINSMORE
By Rob. McCheyne

Grandview Hotel" she continued.
and, what's more, she's been throw
ing them back"
The deacon looked pained, and re-
fused 10 believe 1t: but, at the first cor
ner, he was stopped by the village post
master.
"Huhl" says he, that's a nice kind
Jes' won five dollars off Barney Miller
on a dog fight"
The deacon turned to 60.
He says he'll save that church from
bein' struck off the face of the airth
with thunderbolt," called the post
master.
They told me Rev Mr.. Ddnsrnore had
original methods" unused the deacon,
but bettin' on dog fights an sparkin'
with the girls in public's too original"
At Brother Andrews he met three
members of the Ladies' Aid Society,
all talking at once. From the medley
of voices he learned that the new min
lister had been seen to drink five whis-
ky high-balls within a half-hour; that
he had tipped the barber ten cents and
that he had asked the buxom widow
Carewe 10 go driving with him.
The ladies were still talking when the
good deacon made his escape and set
out for the house of another commit
teeman. whittier Brother Andrews had
already preceded him.
The brethren met him with reproach-
ful silence. Brother Andrews was the
first to speak.
what your progressiveness has come to-"
The deacon shook his head In solemn
self-reproach. We'll, Brother An
drews," he said finally, I'm afraid this
young DinEmore's too progressive for
Scroggsheld, but we'll have a chance
to sound him. He's asked me to gather
the committee at the church this after
noon. That's what came around for"
The three old deacons started SOL
ennly off for the church. In the street
there was q great commotion. as two
teams went dashing up and down the
main thoroughfare, neck and neck, the
drivers hallooing In lusty tones and
brandishing their whips.
As the foremost team passed the
three deacons Brother Andrews recog-
nized the widow Carewe, smiling gayly
from her place beside the dauntless
Dinsmore. In another instant the
sporting parson had turned his horses
and was drawing up at the church
door.
Hal" he exclaimed, sIapping the dea-
cons one by one upon the shoulder,
m Just in time, I see. Fine church
this"-he waved his hand affably.
Come in. come In: I'll not detain you
but minute" and he led the way into
tho little anteroom, where the rest Of
the committee sat awaiting an oppor-
tunity to pass on Rev. Mr.. Dinsmore.
Now, gentlemen" he said, turning
and shifting his hat to the back of his
head. II called you out here to talk to
you about the salvation of this church.
L tell you, gentlemen. you're to be
commended and congratulated In hav-
ing built SO fine an edifice to the glory
OF Scroggsheld. But, I tell you, gen.
tlemens you've built this church in de-
fiance of eternal laws-laws that are
not to be def1ed by man. / wonder,
gentlemen, that our magnificent build
ing hasn't been struck down by q
thunderbolt from heaven. Il"
A meek hammered stranger, wearing
thick glasses and carrying q badly
scuffed gripsack, had entered the door
and was approaching timidly. The
speaker stopped in the midst of his
harangue and the newcomer stood
looking from one to another.
Il am the Rev. Mr.. Dinsmore," he
said apologetically; "can you tell
WHAT" cried the six, starting to
their feet.
'Dinsmore," said the stranger
family.
Then who are you?" demanded
Deacon Williams of the first stranger.
II beg your pardon, gentlemen-my
card, and the speaker graciously pre-
sented one to each Of the committee.
j. p. Rowser, Esquire +" he went
on. proudly, representing the great
est lightning rod establishment in the
world. tell you, gentlemen, your
magnificent building is In eternal dam
ger from the fierce and vengefuI raw
ages Of
But the committee were busily en-
gagged shaking hands with each other
and with the Rev. Mr.. Dinsmore.