A GOOD STORY.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXIV, Issue 8062, 1 October 1887, Page 2 (Supplement)

A GOOD STORY.

Among the Rev. Henry Ward Eeecher's many accomplishments not the least was his ability as a story-teller. To much amused listeners he once told this one about a New York drummer: —A. typical "knight of the gripsack" was detained in a small town in Western Now York a while ago where a* revival meeting was in progress. He had met a party of oonvivial friends during his stay there, and had what is known as a " load on." Nerertueless, he drifted into the revival meeting, and took a seat well up in tho front. It wad rather close in the church, and the warm air was conducive to sleep. The drum* mor yielded to the drowsy god, and after nodding a little, sank into a profound slumber, and slept through the minister's rather long and dry discourse. The audience sang a hymu, and the drummer slept on. Then the evangelist began his address, and wound up his fervid appeal with thiß request:—" Will all of you who want to go to Heaven please rise." Everyone in the church except the sleepy drummer arose. When the evangelist asked them to be seated, one of the brothers in the same pew as the sleepy drummer accidentally brushed against him as ho sat down. The drummer rubbed his eyes, and, partially awake, heard the last portion of the evangelist's request, which was Now, I (rant all of you who want to go to hell to stand up." The drummer struggled a little, leaned forward unsteadly, and rose from his seat in a dazed sort of way. He heard a sort of suppressed laugh from some of the younger people, and noticed an expression of horror on the faces of some of the older ,ones. Steadying himself against the rail, he looked at the evacgelist an instant, and then said, "Well, purson, I don't know just exactly what we're voting on, but you and I seem to be in a homeless minority."