Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1883-09-22

cash subscriptions, payable tomorrow at
my bank. Report the amount to ME at
Mr.. Strong's house by 4 o'clock, sharp.
Will you do it?"
"what steamboat you are!' said
! Brinsmade, laughing.
''Will you do it:' said Franklin, stren-
uously. "No time for nonsense, old fel
low"
eyes, III do it."
"All right. Good-by"
And the old white horse was soon flying
| down the street.
| None of the other churches had after
noon services, and all that could be done
in them must be done by personal appli-
cation to few of the most prosperous
members. But Mr.. Franklin had selected
! the right man rs canvaSSer In each So
ciety, and after they had been set at work
| he and his pastor returned TO their own
parish, which they divided between them.
contriving before o'clock TO see q good
| proportion Of its most generous members.
At that hour they all meet at the parsOn-
age, rs by agreement, bringing with them
n mucl larger sum than the most SAN
guinc of them had hoped to get
"They came down handsomely" said
! Brinsmade. "Threc or four refused to
give anything, but most of them haG their
names down before they knew it. 1t
dropped on them so sudden-like that they
hadn't time to hunt up excuses. The old
doctor warmed up to the business beauti-
fully, and begged like professional.
Didn't suppose it was in him. They
brought in nearly si0e in the boxes, be-
side all got from individuals"
The others had much the same story to
tell. sympathy with the Methodists in
their courageous efforts was universal,
and it had found 4 generous expression.
"Now each of you sit down and write q
short letter." said Franklin, explaining
that the amount you have collected Is
from friends in your church, naming the
amount and stating where ii may be called
for tomorrow, and we'll go over ut once
and send the letters up to Brother Thorpe.
l trust he is holding out yet, but it must
be pretty tough for man who doesn't
believe in the perseverance Of the saints
to hang on to such poor promise"
1t was about half-past 4 when Mr..
Franklin and his friends entered the Meth
oGist Church. The back seats were all
occupied, so they stood in the space be-
hind the pcws and looked on. The church
was pretty well filled, and Mr.. Thorpe
was still keeping up lively fire of appeal
and argument, but there we're no re-
sponses, and it was plain. that hope had
departed from most of the solicitors.
"Will you walk forward and take seats,
gentlemen?" said one of them.
"No, thank you," said Franklin, owe
are only lobby members. GLOW do you
get on?"
SLOWLY"
And the solicitor shook his head dole
fully.
elbow much have you got?"
"Only little over twenty-five thou
sand"
"Why don't you stop where you are?"
"Then we lose everything. The greater
share Of the heavy subscriptions are con-
ditional upon the raising of the whole
debt"
"Won't your subscribers make them un-
conditional?"
"No. We've begged thom to but they
are obstinate"
PITY, isn't it?"
eyes sir. 1t will be hard blow II We
fail nOw."
The discouraged gentleman walked
away.
Mr.. Franklin's air had been so indiffer-
ent that he had not yentured to ask him
for anything.
"Send up your letter, Brinsmadc,"
whispered Franklin. "Get that small boy
to take it up"
The small boy toddled up the aisle and
handed the envelope to the pastor. Mr.
Thorpe tore it open eagerly.
"1Iallelujah ~ shouted the impctuous
Methodist. "Brethen, listen to this "The
First Congregational Church OF New AL
bion sends greetings to the First Metho-
dist Church with pledge Of 81 GA to be
paid tomorrow at IL o'clock by check
upon the First National Bank This is
signed on behalf of the church by James
NJ. Brinsmade."
The reading Of the letter wac followed
by storm Of cheers and all the usual
Methodist responses, in the midst of which
the organ struck up the Doxology, and
the whole congregation rose to its feet
and sang it with tremendous energy.
"Will Brother Brinsmade come for
ward" shouted Mr.. Thorpe. But before
he had time to insist on this little girl
was mounting the pulpit with another en-
velopc, which the pastor received with
trembling hands.
This letter stated that s5l5, the gift Of
few friends in the Univcrsalist Church,
would be on deposit the next day, at the
same hour and place. Over this the furore
was redoubled, one enthusiastic brother
mounting seat, and calling for "thc sec
ond verse of the DoxOlosy."
"Better not protract the agony" said
Franklin to Ellsworth. "Let Us send up
our notes together"
The minister, who had now for six hours
been under a continuous nervous strain,
i.. ...I..ua hat con Glcncn hnL 1ri,.cr, ,x.t-