Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1904-02-06
Poor Old
parSOn Bradley
~ Jcbn e. Sheridan.



$50 they are going to investigate
the character OF old Parson Bradley,
said Mrs. Hearail Ia Mrs. Stcadfast. as
they journeyed toward the little church
on the hill
''Yes. so am informed: but really
do not believe that cur venerable pas
tor is guilty of the charges preferred
against him
Well. do replied Mrs. Hearall
for have long suspected that he w2s
an arrant knave ami a rank hypo-
critic"
But why you should think so is
beyond my comprehension. The dear
old man has gone in and out before Us
for thirty long years. and until that
mysterious meeting il Green's pasture.
his character has been withou; a blem-
ish''
''Oh. yes. without blenish. so far
as We know. But you and know that
he had no business to be prowlinG
around in the woods with strange
woman. and his wife sick at home"
1T does look strange" said Mrs
Steadfast; ''sti shall believe him
innocent until he is proved guilty
And l." retorted Mrs Hearall.
shall believe him guilty until he is
proved innocent
The arrival at the church terminated
the conversation. and the two ladies
took their places in the crowded audi
forum of the little church. where they
liSf0 he .-fs ~
wisdom that fell from the lips of him
who was now abou; 10 be tried for
gross immortality. as set forth in the
charges and specifications of old HeZe-
kiah Squinteye.
My friends said Parsoa Bradley.
as he assembled the ros;rum. we are
now ready to proceed with the bust
ness for which this meeting has been
convened. Deacon Lovewell will now
proceed with the prosecution. =
Brothers and sisters" said Deacon
Lovewell, "a painful daty has called US
together this evening: duty which
requires more than ordinary forbear-
ance and fortitude in this age OF vice
and crime. And as one who has the
welfare of this church at heart feel
IL to be duty incumbent upon me 10
lay before you some riImors respecting
the character of our venerable pastor
And in order TO facilitate matters.
now call upon Brother Hezekiah
Squinteye 10 give evidence in the case
ROW pending against the accused"
Brothers. sisters and friends" said
Brother SQuinteye. "a few weeks ago.
while travelling over Green's pasture
in search OF a stray COW. | heard
voices issuing from thicket close by.
and in looking in the direction whence
the sound emarated. saw Brother
Bradley deeply engaged in converse
ton with a young and beautiful wom-
an, whose countenaace | did not rec
osnize. Fearing that something was
wrong. ! lay in ambush until Brother
Bradley took his departure, which he
did in few minutes thereafter Now.
while would not willingly charge our
pastor with conduct unbecoming
minister. ! must confess that was
deeply grieved TO ser him imprint a
kiss upon the cheek of the fair one
ere he returned 10 the parsonage"
did he return alone?" asked Love
we'll
Yes. sir"
And what direction did the woman
take?"
i do not know. as | immediately
started in pursuit of the missing COW"
Have you mentioned this AFFAIR to
any person eXcep; myself. since the
occurrence took place."
''Yes. think have mentioned il To
Mrs. Nevertattle, Mrs. Runwell and
Mrs. Speakfast
Then you must have believed that
our pastor had been guilty Of some
crime. or else you woald not give pub
licity TO the matter?"
Il would have il otherwise: bu; IN
tell the truth. ! have felt ever since
that memorable afternoon that oar
pastor is not what he ought to be-"
Brother Bradley will now take the
stand. and give us his statement in re-
gard TO the matter under considera-
tion." said Deacon LDvewen.
My friends, said the pastor. thirty
years ago the Master called me to la
Dor among you. since which time |
have tried hard 10 do my duty as n
Christian minister | have married
nearly all of you VINO are now sitting
In Judgment upon me | have followed
your loved ones to the cold and silent
grave; have wept with those who
wept. and rejoiced with those who re-
joiced; and in return you have solaced
myself and my aged companion in the
hour OF bereavement and sorrow. Is
II any wonder. then, that as | stand
here before you this evening my heart
goes out toward you in love and graf
.sudc. But, my friencs. when think
that now in my old age | should be
suspected Of immortality. | feel that
my LIES work Is near done And IL