Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1918-04-09
ATEMPTY PULPIT
And Why Sometimes It Is Difficult
to Fiji II.
Ladies' Of the Congregation Have Do
eided Views % to the Minister
Who 10 70 Be Honored BY
the Proposed Call.

A charming afternoon In April-one
Of those days with just enough chill In
the air to make the sun feel comfort.
able when you cross to the sunny side
Of the street. Just one Of those April
afternoons when Mrs. Richard Pen
nington Hall declares she has been
scarcely a place all winter and just
must get out. Mrs. Hamilton Ross
finds herself in the same situation, and
they are not alone in their decision.
An hour later, on the main street Of
the town:
"How do you do, Mrs. Ross? So de-
lightful to be out this lovely day! Yes,
just like myself, feel like had been
shut in so long by the cold weather!
Certainly I was there. We must
turn out to hear all the candidates for
our pulpit.
"No, I really can't agree with you.
There was something about him that
l did not like. False teeth, you say7
Are you sure? I told Richard he had
an impediment In his speech! Well
that settles it-let's have preacher
with his teeth growing In his head.
"Of course I'm sorry for Brother
Hope II he expected to get the place.
but We can't help It! Good-by. yes do
come real soon!
Mrs. Richard Pennington Hall hur.
ries along (she usually hurries at ev
erything) and some few moments
later. when grabbing laces at the bar.
gain counter, fortunately comes upon
Mrs. William Cotton Adams, who is
similarly occupied. Laces at bargain
prices are forgotten In the thrill each
experiences in q chance for friendly
chat.
"Oh, my dear Mrs. Hall, how do you
do? I've just been dying to have O
good talk with you. What have you
heard about the last minister We had
on trial? What do you think Of himi
Yes, in a way I liked him, but there
was something about him did not
like. Did you notice 1t, too? Yes, he
made all his gestures with his left
hand. Is he left-handed? Oh, indeed
OF all things. So awkward looking.
For my part, I hope we'll not get him.
Someone was saying he had false
teeth, too. That's too many defects 10
one man, I say.
$50 glad we have had such a nice
chat. Oh, We'll hear several more be.
fore we decide on the new minister.
Heavens! s o'clock and time to close.
I don't see why they close so early.
Goodby, come and see me soOn."
Two weeks later:
Mrs. James Jordan White boards
Forest avenue car and finds three of
the members Of her sewing society all
going in her direction, 80 here was too
good an opportunity to miss to discuss
the new minister.
"Oh, how do you do, all Of youi
What did you think Of last Sundays
supplyf
"Short and fatl Well. I should say
so! And wheezy, tool just said to
Mr.. White I'd bet he'd be laid up With
asthma a good part Of the time!
"You don't mean to tell me the com.
mittee intends to bring that Rev. Nh.
thaniel Hopkins Of Chicago here os
trial!
"Oh, dear. I've got to get of here
and we haven't half finished our chat
Well, If it's the same Doctor Hopkins
that I've heard preach, we don't want
him! He's lame-I think he has Q
wooden legl
"Goodby, everybody! Come and see
me. I do hope we'll finally get
preacher we all ukel"-Kansas City
Star.