Democratic Sentinel, Volume 20, Number 27, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 10 July 1896 — Absorbed. [ARTICLE]

Absorbed.

The bibliophile’s passion for rare books lias always boon a fruitful theme for the humorist, but the engrossing charms of the chase were never more amusingly set forth than in the following anecdote of the Rev. Mr. Brand, one of the most noted book-hunters in England: Oue Friday afternoon, while Mr. Brand was roaming in tho neighborhood of Ids church in the tyist End of London, Ills eye fell on the shop of u Jew bookseller which he had not before noticed, and lie was astonished to see there a number of black-letter volumes exposed for sale. But the sun was rapidly going down, and the Jew, loath to be stoned by Ids neighbors for breaking the Sabbath, was hastily Interposing the shutters between tbe eyes of tbe clergyman and the coveted books. “Let me look at them Inside,” said Mr. Brand. “I will not keep you long.” “Impossible,” replied the Jew. “Sabbath will begin,iu five minutes, and I absolutely cannot be drawn Into sueli a breach of divine law. But if you choose to come early on Sunday morning I will reserve them for you, and you may see them at your leisure.” The reverend gentleman accordingly turned up at 8 o’clock on Sunday morning. Intending to remain until church time, ns he hnd to do duty that day. The literary treasures were more numerous than he expected, and he examined the rare productions of celebrated presses and purchased so freely that his treasures soon began to assume considerable proportions. He was Interrupted, however, by the Jewess calling out to her husband, "Dinner Is ready!” “Dinner!” exclaimed the parson, with a start. “At what hour do you dlneV” “At 1 o’clock,” she replied. He looked at his watch. It was too true. He hastened to his church. The congregation hnd dispersed, much concerned at the absence of their worthy pastor, who, according to Ids biographer, atoned in the evening by unwonted eloquence for his uupremedJ.' tated prank of the morning.