"
"Oh, I see," and the clergyman stroked his chin in a thoughtful manner.
"Yes, and I tell ye it succeeded like a charm," the captain continued.
"I gave up Bess, and, lo and behold, she came back last sight bringin'
another cow with her."
"My cow, eh?" the parson queried.
"Sure. But didn't it prove the missionary's words to be true: 'Give,
and ye'll receive more in return?' We gave up our only cow and now we
have two."
Parson Dan made no immediate reply, for he was too deeply grieved to
speak. His faint hope that a change had come over Captain Josh was now
dispelled. For years he had mocked at church-going, and all things
connected with religion. And so this was but another of his many
tricks. But he must not let this scoffer off without a word of rebuke.
"Captain Josh," and the parson's voice was stern, "when you put your
cow into my pasture you knew that she would come back, didn't you?"
"Why, what makes ye think so, parson?"
"Didn't you know that she would break down almost any fence?"
"Yes, I suppose I did."
"And that she would naturally take my cow with her?"
As the captain did not answer, the parson continued.
"You did it merely to make a scoff at religion, and have a joke to tell
at the store for others to laugh at.
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