The Meeker herald., 1905-10-21
The Parsons
Substitute


q days work to clean Judson mud OF
spring wagon and harness.
Mr.. Bliss smiled a SNUG little smile
and gently tapped his hymn book with
his glasses. ut will be good day
for my spring missionary sermon"
said he, 81 thought 30. wonder II
Amos Billings has sold his town lot
yet" And he mentally counted the
tenth.
As he turned to go back into the
church he became aware that some
one had stepped around the east cor
ner by the sycamore. He saw that
the newcomer wanted to speak to
him and he waited.
As the man approached the clergy
man noted his appearance. He was
small man about his own build and
poorly dressed, ragged in fact. He
was pale and clean shaven except for
small side-burns. an odd accompani-
ment Of rags. His hat having lost
any trace of its original shape is best
described as SLOUGH. 1t was pulled
down over his eyes.
you are the Rev. Mr.. Moses P.
Bliss. I presume" was the very ele-
CANT remark of the stranger. And
what was more wonderful to the as
tonished minister, he TOOK of his nat
and bowed like a Chesterfield.
"Ah-yes. What can do for you?"
he replied. He was going to add my
good man." but stopped.
Il would like to speak to you in
your study for a few minutes. l
won't keep You long. l see Hiram
Jenkins gig is the first on the hill
:, and he won't be here for a few min
Z utes yet. OF course-if-"
"Oh, certainly. certainly. Come
right In. am always glad even at
the eleventh hour to show q brother
the way: the way to a better life.
Just follow me-"
As they walked through the empty
little church with its bare wooden
pews. the minister cudgeled his brain.
who can he be? His face seems ia
miliar and am sure have seen him
before. A lost sheep come back to
the fold Judge. Well we'll see; we'll
see."
They walked up the three steps to
the pulpit, then crossed 1t and went
through small door at the back
which led to the study. Mr.. Bliss
closed 1t carefully and motioned his
visitor to chair.
"sit down, my friend" he said as
he went to the table and laid down
his glasses and books. What can l
do for you?"
"Just this, old duffer." said the
stranger pleasantly, take OF your
clothes"
The astonished old man was reach
ing for his handkerchief when he
heard this remarkable demand, but
he dropped his arms and looked up,
too amazed to speak.
"Why-I-don't-" but the words
died in his throat as he suddenly saw
six shooter not twelve incnes from
his nose.
mo why's and 'don'ts.' DO what
tell you and hurry about 1t too. I'll
give you fifteen seconds for your coat
and vest and as many more for your
trousers. And want your shirt and
collar and tie and shoes"
Resistance never entered his head,
He slipped OF the coat and vest, and
even the collar and tie but-he stop
ped. A sound reached them. 1t was
the jenkins family entering the
church. A quick hope showed in the
good mans face; he'd call.
yell and I'll finish you"
The Rev. Mr.. Bliss was ready for
anything now. He was fully prepared
to do hand-springs down the church
aisle, or to climb the bell.rope, or run
fifty times around the church, all the
while saying, THE devil was chasing
his mother round the stump" to the
tuno Of gun banging after him at
every corner. He had heard Of queer
bets and SO on. But he wasn't pre-
pared for what happened.
Nov I'll give you two minutes to
get the whole outfit on yours truly"
So, to the accompaniment Of some
more oaths. everyone Of which made
him jump. the clergyman obeyed. II
: the congregation could have seen
through the study door 4 strange sight
would have met their gaze; their own
beloved pastor in his underclothes,
tying q black cravat on q ministerial
looking person who was holding gun
recklessly near the good mans head.
Then dragging him to 4 corner be-
tween two book cases. the pseudo
parson dumped him on q stack Of old
hymn books. He picked up pad and
pencil from the table and put them on
the clergyman's shaking knees. Now
I'll preach your sermon for you, and
to keep your mind on your trouble
you can write. Mary had little lamb
three hundred times. Every one
you're shy means q hole through you.
Don't try the window. It's nailed on
the outside. Queer you didn't notice
1t. Now be good" he added cheerful
ly.
The congregation had begun to won