Donation Coming Up

Our local Church is falling down; it’s in total disrepair, Father Murphy is beside himself for no one seems to care. The coffers are near empty so there’s need of volunteers to refurbish what neglect has caused over many years. But a call from Father Murphy didn’t quite have the effect he believed would offer him support, the way he did expect, for on the day that he proposed to have a working bee, the promised helpers on his books had whittled down to me. And I am not a carpenter; a sparky or a plumber. If he’s looking for a tradesman, he won’t find no one dumber. I listened to his explanation and his fears that our dear Church without a huge influx of cash will leave us in the lurch. Father Murphy stated fetes and card nights hardly even rate, and lately there has been so little dropped into the plate. And no amount of threats can intimidate his flock, and then the room went quiet when we heard a knock. Opening up the manse front door there standing face to face, is Father Murphy with a well-dressed man who carries a briefcase. But who he is, is still unclear … is he a spiritual debater? One minute and clear as a bell … he’s a tax investigator. And information that he’s seeking concerns one of the flock, Ted Hourigan has made a claim that’s not as solid as a rock. Father admitted he knew Ted, and in his flock he’s one, but Father Murphy’s apprehensive about what Ted has done ... ... until the investigator nearly blew him off his perch … “Did Ted Hourigan donate ten thousand dollars to your Church?” Father Murphy’s prayers are answered; to tell the truth he’d be a dill; so he looked this bloke fair in the eye - and said “Oh yes, he will.”