TRIAL SERMONS ON BULL-SKIN
by denying himself the pleasure of introducing the new minister, and had placed that matter in the hands of Isaac Jordan, a member of the opposing faction and one of Sister Williams' stanchest supporters. Brother Jordan was pleased and flattered by the distinction, and converted.
The service began. The hymn was sung, the prayer said, and the minister, having been introduced, was already leading out from his text, when, with a rattle and bang that instantly drew every eye rearward, the door opened and a man entered. Apparently oblivious to the fact that he was the centre of universal attention, he came slowly down the aisle and took a seat far to the front of the church. A gleam of satisfaction shot from the eye of Sister Williams, and with a sigh she settled herself in her seat and turned her attention to the sermon. Brother Sneedon glanced at the new-comer and grew visibly disturbed. One sister leaned over and whispered to another,—
"I wunner whut Bud Lewis is a-doin' hyeah?"
"I do' know," answered the other, "but I do hope an' pray dat he won't git into none o' his shoutin' tantrums to-day."
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