The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1883-09-19
ONE OF TnE CTURCH mILIraNT.
IChicarn Trthnne-I

IChicago Tribnnel
The great wide hall in the city of Lynd-
ham, Tenn, was crowded 10 lts utmost cs.
pacity and the lsrge audience sat as still ss
deaih itself, listening with sort of breath
less attention to the words which the old
white-hsired Bishop was speaking from tho
platform. Directly in front Uf him, indeed
the entire lower floor, was filed with men
men with certain sameness in their dress
and actions, a similarity which one common
pursuit usually imParts TO Its followers, men
who sll together bent forward with astrsnge
esgerness to catch the few words of the brief
address. In the galleries were ranged other
men, not so intentIy eager and without that
professional bsdge which seened 70 mark
the watchers below and scattered among
them were brighter hued garments TO mark
where some one Of the other sex leaned back
to gaze with kind of languid interest at
the proceedings en- tie platform. 1t is
conference of Me.hcdist ministers, and For
the last i've days they have been thus in sss-
sion, and this the fifth and last has brought
with it the appointments for the coming
year. No wonder they looked or SO earnest
ly, with little sha!e Of anxiety d3Ikening
each see AS the long list OF rames ware
slowly called; no wonder one smiled 8. his
wish icing eratifed AID smother sighed at
receiving n new and harder fslj OK labor.
Slowly and in ire trembling voice of sga the
white haired Bishop read down the Hst:
John Tracy-Berwick Centre.
Phillip CtrbOy-Mechanicsvi
Themes Rnggles-BcoDe Street Church.
Amos Hsrt-North Burton
Frederick Gordon-Three Folks.
And then little breath Of relief rsl
through the house. and hard-featured man
back by the door leaned over towsrd his
ntighbor ard whispered softly, "You'il want
ali of your nerve now, Gordon" and as the
man addressed nodded silently in reply q
dozen Of the delegates sitting near turned 10
lock at him who had received the appoint
ment 10 be mCst dreaded of ALL Tho survey
was evidently satisfactory ole, for ate:
single glance st the firm chin, thin lips, ami
rather daring eyes they turned svay TO re-
sumo their listening, expressing thu general
verdict in the muttered words, "Hs'h d !"
Meanwhile Gordon eas there, silently
gazing straight ahead OF him, in eyid aGt
strict st ention to the reading but 10 reality
busily reviewing everything he co7ld re-
call regarding the disadvantages of Taree
Forks.
1t Was twenty miles from soy railroad and
at least halfway up tho barren sides o: 3 I'D
Mountsir- II had already driven away txo
ministers Of his church in succession. 1t
had the reputation Of being the headq iar!ers
of some very hard citizsns, and was eur
rounded by = district principally inhabited
by "mcOrs hiners,n who were In 8a aim st
constant warefsre with the revenue OIL ,s7s,
and "a be ended this catalogue Of ia vices the
Rev. Frederick Gordon shut his white tss.h
closely together and vowed sternly to win
hia way there or not come back.
Then So the mOnotoi Gus tone Of the resd-
er's vo CO ceased he arose with the others aud
followed quietly the stream of humanity out
into the summer sunlight. In tho outer
entry, where the two streams finn the over
floor and upper gallery came EliDgling to.
gether, and, with choked current, flowed be-
tween tee wide doors, he felt hsrd fall
upon MS arm as IL to attract attention, snd
partly turning. he looked down surprised
into pair Of upturned eyes, b;igh. d, stars,
half believing the touch upon his scm 6 mis-
tske. The eyes dropped little before his
own and r flush sprsng INSTANTLY into the
girls clear cheek, az she ssked q little doubt.
fully;
''Are you not the Rev. Mr.. Gordon?"
Did you wish, then, II see met"
"Ycu go TO Three Fo,ks," she cJntinuei,
speaking low enough. 20 that the others pass
ing would net hear. AT least tnst was your
appointment. | sm Belle Caeswick, the
organist Ct the Church the,e-and-snd I
wCuldn'J go if were you"
Blu. the reverend gentleman had gra'pad
Cne Ct her hands snd was shaking u warmly
reg ardless of tie cuIicus glsnces of lOoks.z-
On.
s'If you ere from Three Forks" he ex-
claimed gallsrtly. .it can not be as bad as
painted, ard shall moot certainly 90. Do
yeu really think there will be tronb!ei" he
sskCd more calmly, SIS they walked SO 81 J
down tho street, kesping step With the
others.
Eyes, do" she answered soberly. 'Thare
must be. The last msn tie conference sent
there was sneak" and The girls eyes lash
ed as she emphasized the word. "de gave
information 10 the revenue men that caused
considerable loss, and the men swear TO pre-
vent the next one from having the chance.
/ don't blame them, 'she added aefcely, "Pm
= little Of an outlaw myself"
mo moro DO /" he answered calmly Look.
ing with considerable ed miraticn at the girls
kindlirg cheeks. "They would never find
me asnesk, think, yet must suffer Cor the
wrcng doing CT others Nevertheless, feel
that ] must 60. It hss been made my duty
anc--welI. really, Miss Cheswiek, don'i
particularly object to the dangerous par. o.
my work after 81, /" and the reverend gentle
msn fmiled. His companion did not look up
bu. srv ore seeing bis Erm lips, col gray
eyes, cicse-cut hair, and erect muscular Ayur'
might lave ia reason arrived st the sam
conclusion.
Frederick Gordon was good minister an
ore devoted TO his calling, but with it all h
remained considerable Of = man, and yoan!