The Labor enquirer., 1882-12-23


, was over. Mr.. Gaskill had not yet par
ticipated in any action of the meeting
He looked dull. At length one of the
, speakers, carried away by a mean. spirit
; of subserviency to a rich and infuen tial
man made this thrust at Getty If.
! "We shall have captious opposition
from narrow souls, who cannDt see be-
yond the limits of their horizon but let
us not be disturbed thereat. Sach things
always attend the steps of progress and
liberality"
The speaker sat down, and Getty was
on the floor in an instant. Cries of
"Question," Question" ran round the
room, from those who had made up
their minds to put the shoemaker down.
They were satisfied that Gaskill's reform
plan would be carried by large ma
jority, and therefore clamored for a vote.
LET me say three Words said Getty.
"Now ''Nom "Not half word ~
cried voices here and there.
Il appeal to the chair, said Getty.
"Sit down. %Question." "Question. u
Excitement and confusion reigned in the
room.
The chairman was about putting the
question, when Mr.. GaSkill arose. All
became silent, You could hear a pin
drop. Every eye was turned upon the
man whose word in church matters had
become almost law with more than half
of those present No one cried "Ques-
| tiOn' now
"Mr. Chairman" he began. But
Getty did not allow him to proceed.
Respectfully, but firmly, he said:
II have the floor, Mr.. Chairman"
"Insolent fellow" said one near the
shoemaker, loud enough to be heard.
But Getty paid no attention to him.
"And should be heard said Mr.. Gas
kill, yielding the floor. He spoke this
sentence heartily.
Il have but three words to say, Mr..
Chairman There was a change in
Gettys voice. The stern resoluteness
with which he had declared, Il have the
floor, Mr.. Chairman" was gone. In the
deep hush that followed he said, with
an appeal in his tone that made every
heart thrill
"Is it right >" and then, moving out
from the pew in which he had remained
alone from the commencement Of the
meeting, he walked slowly down the
aisle and left the vestry room.
No response was made for over min
ute Most Of those present sat with their
eyes cast down. At length Mr.. Gaskill
arose, and, in a subdued voice, said:
CAS- men and Christians, we must not
be deaf to that appeal, is it right" Hon
estly, my friends, am not altogether
sure that the change we have pUrpOsed
making will he right. God instructs us
in many ways; and lie also rebukes us
in many ways. He does not ask US by
what messengers we will hear from Him,
but sends counsel and warning by whom
He will. | think He has spoken to us
tonight, and through the lips ef one we
may have been weak and sinful enough
to despise ! believe that motion to adj
journ is always in order, and | now offer
such a notion
The motion was carried and the meet
ing adjourned all present returning
home more sober and thoughtful than
when they assembled together.
1t was still early and Gett, went back
to his shop to finish shoe he was mend.
ing for a customer About . O'Clock
lad came in and said:
"Mr TaskiIl would like to see you for
little while this evening"
LET Mr. Gaskill come and see me.
I'm as good as he is, and he's as able to
walk as | am" This was what Getty
thought, but he did not so speak. In
stantly another thought came into his
mind, rs it right?' This settled his ac-
ton.
"Very WE'LL" he replied. "TeIl Mr..
Gaskill that l will come round"
The rich man met the poor shoemaker
with frank, kind manner.
"There was nothing done after you
left, Mr. Getty" he said. "I moved for
an immediate adjournment. You put
the right question, and at the right time.
1t was worth more than volume of ar
guments addressed to men who didn't