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Show 236 Earfy Western Travels [ Vol 26 one - the largest in the state, I was informed - but, like its neighbour, was as yet but commenced. The external walls were quite complete; but the rafters, beams, studs, and braces within presented a mere skeleton, while a few loose boards, which sprang and creaked beneath the foot, were spread over the sleepers as an apology for a floor. There's practical utility for an economist! Because a church is unfinished is no good and sufficient reason why it should remain unoccupied! As we entered the building, my cicerone very unexpectedly favoured me with an introduction to the minister. He was a dark, solemn- looking man, with a huge Bible and psalm- book choicely tucked under his left arm. After sundry glances at my dress and demeanour, and other sundry whisperings in the ear of my companion, the good man drew nigh, and delivered himself of the interrogatory, " Are you a clergyman, sir?" At this sage inquiry, so sagely administered, my rebellious lips struggled with a smile, which, I misdoubt me much, was not unobserved by the dark- looking minister; [ 219] for, upon my reply in the negative, he turned very unceremoniously away, and betook him to his pulpit. By- the- by, this had by no means been the first time I had been called to answer the same inquiry during my ramble in the West. On returning to our lodgings after service, we found quite a respectable congregation gathered around the signpost, to whom my pink of major domos was holding forth in no measured terms upon the propriety of " letting off the pig guns " at the dawning of the ever- memorable morrow, 11* " in honour of the tay when our old farders fought like coot fellows; they tid so, py jingoes; and I'll pe out at tree o'glock, py jingoes, I will so," raphsodied the little Dutchman, warming up under the fervour of his own *• July 4 .- FLAOO. |