Waterbury evening Democrat., 1907-05-11
WAIEhDUKI EyIrING DEslUCkAi SATURDAY. MAY 11, 19o7

of that eyentful afternoon trying to arrange an outline for his sermon on The Man with tho Hoe.'
 Daylight began to fail. The Rev. MT. Digby laid aside his work, shaved his comedy face, dusted his clerical coat and made ready for the evenings dismal pleasures. He set forth alone and on foot.
 A sudden turn in the road brought him in full view of the Uncle Silas place. Upon the new-mown lawn a score of guests were already assem. bled.
 Digby assumed an air of genial kindliness and joined the social elect, with whom he cordially shook hands. Quite promptly Mrs. Silas took the clergyman under her wing.
 "Rey'rend MT. Digby," she said, don't you think you've lived single 'baout long enough fer minister O the gawspil?-Cynthy. dear! Come an visit with aour pastor!"
 "Aha!" said Cynthia. "Bachelor's button! But think it's beginning to fade. don't you?"
 Her mother beamed approval. But just then, to the profound relief of the preacher, Uncle Silas interrupted with
 Ma" tell the folks to set daown, won't ye?"
 Come, friends" said Mrs. Sllas, set daown to the table an have a bite to eat"
 Thereupon they all took seats.
 Conversation Jagged. Even the horses, tied along the front fence, seemed restive and uncomfortable.
 But there is a soul-moving potency in sliced ham; convivial influence in cold tongue, baked beans, and dough.nuts; an element of good feel. ing in "meatpie" and strong tea. Cider had also its cheering effect Talk began to flow and all went mer. rily enough till the meal was nearly ended. Then Mrs. Silas deserted a curious indication in the remotest re. zion of the moonlit hamlet.
 'Rev'rend MT. Digby," said she, whats that black streak over there by Ichabod's mowin'?"
 Heavens to Betsey!" shouted Hank Bumpus. "Ef it's people, it's the hull 'tarnal taown!"
 It soon became quite unmistakable that the black line was really a pro. cession of villagers, and that they were actually headed for the Uncle S!- las homestead. Uncle Silas, turning to his guests, said:
 Maybe you folks'd better put for shelter. suspicion thar's trouble a-brewin'."
 MT. Digby," gasped Miss Cynthia, I'm afraid I'm going-going-to-to -faint!'
 Oh, if it had but been the absent Bessie! Nevertheless, Digby assisted Miss Cynthia to the porch. whence the two peered out from amongst the fragrant blossoms of the honeysuckle.
 The foe was now very near. Final, ly the column spread out in a sort of loose semi-circle, and when the new. corners had almost reached the table a slender figure stepped forth from the motley mass, and behold-in the silver sheen of the moonlight-Mis Bessie Bumpus!
 "Good-evening, Uncle Silas!" said Bessie, dropping a curtsey. T see you have company. I hope we're not intruding. We thought we'd give you a real, genuine surprise party. All I've got to say is, we got up a paper for you this afternoon, and this little purse is slight token of the regard of the citizens of the town of Caper. naum Center for you and your noble wife. We wish twas more, but our feelings are just as kind as If twas s1.OO0."
 Uncle Silas stood silent. He glared at the Bessie Bumpuses.
 But such suspense was not for long. A black clad figure, tall and com. strode down from the porch and approached Miss Bessie. All eyes were fixed upon him. The, minister stretched out his hand to Bessie and said:
 Sister Bumpus, with all my heart you!"
 Then the parson turned about. and taking the donation" purse from her hand, he presented 1t to Uncle Silas.
 Uncle Silas quickly recovered his and framed an address in which affability, gratitude, and hos. pitality found exuberant expression.
 Thank ye most to death!" said Uncle Silas. No intrusion at all. Jest few relations dropped in; that's all. Thank ye most to death. an hat would starve cat!"
 Democracy reigns once more in Ca pernaum Center, and. what is perhaps ,ot less important, the parsonage is 10 longer tenantless.