Upon the conclusion of his remarks he added: "I regret to inform you, brethren, that my dog, who appears to be peculiarly fond of paper, this morning ate that portion of my sermon that I have not delivered. Let us pray."
After the service the clergyman was met at the door by a man who as a rule, attended divine service in another parish. Shaking the good man by the hand he said:
"Doctor, I should like to know whether that dog of yours has any pups.
If so I want to get one to give to my minister."
Recipe for a parson:
To a cupful of negative goodness Add the pleasure of giving advice.
Sift in a peck of dry sermons, And flavor with brimstone or ice.
--_Life_.
A pompous Bishop of Oxford was once stopped on a London street by a ragged urchin.
"Well, my little man, and what can I do for you?" inquired the churchman.
"The time o" day, please, your lordship."
With considerable difficulty the portly bishop extracted his timepiece.
"It is exactly half past five, my lad."
"Well," said the boy, setting his feet for a good start, "at "alf past six you go to "ell!"--and he was off like a flash and around the corner. The bishop, flushed and furious, his watch dangling from its chain, floundered wildly after him. But as he rounded the corner he ran plump into the outstretched arms of the venerable Bishop of London.
"Oxford, Oxford," remonstrated that surprised dignitary, "why this unseemly haste?"
Puffing, blowing, spluttering, the outraged Bishop gasped out:
"That young ragam.u.f.fin--I told him it was half past five--he--er--told me to go to h.e.l.l at half past six."
"Yes, yes," said the Bishop of London with the suspicion of a twinkle in his kindly old eyes, "but why such haste? You"ve got almost an hour."
Skilful alike with tongue and pen, He preached to all men everywhere The Gospel of the Golden Rule, The New Commandment given to men, Thinking the deed, and not the creed, Would help us in our utmost need.
--_Longfellow_.
_See also_ Burglars; Contribution box; Preaching; Resignation.
CLIMATE
In a certain town the local forecaster of the weather was so often wrong that his predictions became a standing joke, to his no small annoyance, for he was very sensitive. At length, in despair of living down his reputation, he asked headquarters to transfer him to another station.
A brief correspondance ensued.
"Why," asked headquarters, "do you wish to be transferred?"
"Because," the forecaster promptly replied, "the climate doesn"t agree with me."
CLOTHING
One morning as Mark Twain returned from a neighborhood morning call, sans necktie, his wife met him at the door with the exclamation: "There, Sam, you have been over to the Stowes"s again without a necktie! It"s really disgraceful the way you neglect your dress!"
Her husband said nothing, but went up to his room.
A few minutes later his neighbor--Mrs. S.--was summoned to the door by a messenger, who presented her with a small box neatly done up. She opened it and found a black silk necktie, accompanied by the following note: "Here is a necktie. Take it out and look at it. I think I stayed half an hour this morning. At the end of that time will you kindly return it, as it is the only one I have?--Mark Twain."
A man whose trousers bagged badly at the knees was standing on a corner waiting for a car. A pa.s.sing Irishman stopped and watched him with great interest for two or three minutes; at last he said:
"Well, why don"t ye jump?"
"The evening wore on," continued the man who was telling the story.
"Excuse me," interrupted the would-be-wit; "but can you tell us what the evening wore on that occasion?"
"I don"t know that it is important," replied the story-teller. "But if you must know, I believe it was the close of a summer day."
"See that measuring worm crawling up my skirt!" cried Mrs. Bjenks.
"That"s a sign I"m going to have a new dress."
"Well, let him make it for you," growled Mr. Bjenks. "And while he"s about it, have him send a hookworm to do you up the back. I"m tired of the job."
Dwellers in huts and in marble halls-- From Shepherdess up to Queen-- Cared little for bonnets, and less for shawls, And nothing for crinoline.
But now simplicity"s _not_ the rage, And it"s funny to think how cold The dress they wore in the Golden Age Would seem in the Age of Gold.
--_Henry S. Leigh_.
Costly thy habit as thy purse can buy, But not express"d in fancy; rich, not gaudy; For the apparel oft proclaims the man.
--_Shakespeare_.