Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1907-05-11

COHlAulIlOC next Tludy CVOuln6'
With these plainly irrelevant words
be took his leave.
The clergyman turned his steps
homeward. To go or not to go? Yes,
he would go. He would trust Bessie's
generosity to grant him forgiveness.
Half a mile of sunlit meadowland
brought the minister to his desolate
study, where he passed the remainder
of that eventful afternoon trying to
arrange an outline for his sermon on
''The Man with the Hoe"
Daylight began to fail. The Rev.
Mr., Digby laid aside his work, shaved
his comedy face, busted 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
score of guests were already assem-
bled.
Digby assumed an air of genial
kindness and joined the social elect,
with whom he cordially shook hands
clergyman under her wing.
'Rev'rend Mr.. Digby," she said,
don't you think you've lived single
'baout long enough fer a minister o
the wspil?-Cynthy, deari Come
an visit with aour pastor!"
"Aha!" said Cynthia. Bachelors
button! But / think it's beginning to
fade, don't your
Her mother beamed approval. But
preacher, Uncle Silas interrupted
with
MA" tell the folks to set daown,
won't ye?"
Come, friends" said Mrs. Silas,
set daown to the table an have
bite to eat"
Thereupon they all took seats.
Conversation Jagged. Even the
horses, tied along the front fence,
seemed FESTIVE and uncomfortable.
But there is a soul-moving potency
in sliced ham; a convivial influence
in cold tongue, baked beans, and
dOugh-nuts; an element of good feel
ing in "meat-pie" and strong tea.
Cider had also it's cheering effect.
Talk began to flow and all went mer-
rily enough till the meal was nearly
ended. Then Mrs. Silas deserted
curious indication in the remotest re-
gion of the moon1it hamlet.
Reverend Mr.. Digby," said she,
what's that black streak over there
by Ichabod's mowin'?''
Heavens to Betsey!" shouted Hank
Bumpus. EFF it's people, it's the hull
'tarnal taown!"
1t soon became quite unmistakable
that the black line was really a pro
cession of villagers, and that they
were actually headed for the Uncle ST
las homestead. Uncle Silas, turning
to his guests, said:
Maybe you folks'd better put for
shelter. l suspicion thar's trouble
a-brewin'-"
Mr.. Digby," gasped Miss Cynthia,
I'm afraid I'm -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 moonlig ht-Miss
Bessie Bumpus!
"Good-evening, Uncle Silas!" said
Bessie, dropping a curtsey. Il see
you have company. | 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 a 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
$1,000
Uncle Silas stood silent. He glared
at the BESSIE Bumpuses.
But such suspense was not for long
A black clad figure, tall and com.
handing, strobe 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
congratulate you'll"
Then the parson turned about and
taking the donation" purse from her
hand, he presented it to Uncle Silas
Uncle Silas quickly recovered his
composure, and framed an address in
which affability, gratitude, and hos
pitality found exuberant expression
Thank We most to DEATH" said
Uncle Silas. mo intrusion at all.
Test few relations dropped in; that's
all. Thank We most to death, an
that would starve cat!"
Democracy reigns once more in Ca
pernaum Center, and, what is perhaps
not less impOrtant. the parsonage is