The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1885-05-05

young lady, watching the banner with
longing eyes. This was the infant class
with their teacher. Oh, how hard had
these little ones tried 10 earn that ban
uer. Their pennies, many no doubt the
fruit of self-denial. had gone toward the
cherished object. Not that they would
not have given them Tor charity as will
ingiy, hut, oh they longed to possess
that beautiful banner. And they had
never succeeded.
"Oh, DEAR" sighed one little cherub
I'VE have tried and tried to earn that
banner. / don't believe we'll ever get
it."
"Don't be envious. DEAR" said Stella
c their teacher, "'he We faithful and
we may win it some day"
Ike was an interested listener to this
conversation. 1t set him 20 thinking
He went to his room. Then be said TO
himself: "The infant class shall have the
banner"
Knowing that the rule was that the
class contributing the most money to
ward the missionary fund during the
month was entitled to carry the banner
for the ensuing month, he betook him
self to ascertain how much the Bible
class we're in the habit of contributing
each week. This he learned bv calling
90 the superintendent, whom he happen
ed to know. 1t was two dollars per
week The young men composing the
class had had the banner almost all that
year. Sometimes they did not attend
regularly, but would always make their
contributions. The infant class were al.
ways in full attendance with their les
sons learned and their pennies ready,
hut each succeeding month doomed them
to disappointment.
Next Sunday IKE was at the church
and took his seat behind the infant class,
although the superintendent invited him
to "come uL high" Perhaps it was q
better seat there, or perhaps there was a
charm in the deep blue eyes of Stella
c.. the teacher OF the infant class
we will not attempt to guess.
When he hour for sealing up the mon
ey envelopes came, Ike leaned over to
the seat where Stella sat, and handing
her crisp back note, whispered: ITO
go with the contri5ution of the infant
class toward securing the banner" Then
he was gone. The nezt month our in
fant class was awarded the banner. The
surprise OF the school, especially the
Bible class, was nothing compared to
the joy of those little ones
But Ike did not cease his visits to the
Sunday-scbool. In time he learned to
know each little one OF the infant class
by name, and more than that, became
the warm friend of their teacher.
As before stated. Ike had many friends
among the railroad men, and 10 them he
confided his secret of the banner. 1t at
once took like wild6re among them =
Rough and strong as they we're, the story
of the little infant class and the banner
touched them.
"Let's keep the banner In that class
hoys," said Ike. 1t was the signal of a
graad donation. Ike was made treas.
urer of "Ike's Banner Fund" and the
contributions we're liberal. Occasional
ly a railroad man, who had heard of the
matter from some friend, would say TO
Ike, Here's .shiner' for the fund, Ike ,
The fund" grew, and as it required
but smaIi stipend weekly to keep the
infant Glass ahead in contributions, the
treasury was always quite full.
One day death invaded the ranks OF
that infant class. 1t was cad DEATH
Little Amy Moor's parents we're. very
poor-she was the joy OF that humble
home
Ike heard of this sad event and the
circumstances of the parents through
Stella, and be decided that this was a
time when "The Fund" should be drawn
upon. And it was. After the sad fu-
neral, after the little white coffin bad
been buried in the grave where wilder
ness of aowers had been strewn; after
the earth had heen shoveled back, the
solemn company of people returned
homeward. The infant class, their teach
er, and IKE alone remained to strew this
tiny, new-made grave with 1,wers And
the banner was there. "Be We faithful
unto DEATH" TIE sorrowing and pov
erty.stricken parents we're not forgotten
by "Ike's Fund"
Our little infant class had now learn.
ed to love Ike deaflv, and, ss for Stella,
] am sure she thought very highly Of
our hero.
The Sunday school was to have pic
mic IN the large grove few miles south
of the city. The mucl,-longed-for day
dawned at last, bright and clear, and
scarcely bad the sun gotten out of he'd
when load after load OF happy children
and their teachers were vending their
wav to the grove
'You wi come down during the dav,
won't you, Ike ?" said Stella, as the for
mer helped the little ones, one by one.
into the b,g wagon.