The Warner sun. (Warner, Brown Co., Dakota [S.D.]) 1885-1???, 1886-03-12
MARVIN'S SUBSCRIPTION.

How much could thee give towards
repairing our Westinghouse, Benja-
MINI"
Cautious, careful, Quaker farmers,
these to whom a few dollars were i'm
portant. Penurious, some men called
Benjamin Marvin, but he was a stern
man, with stern views of duty. Never
measuring his duty to God and man
by another's standard, he was yet
quick to follow what hs believed the
voice Of his own conscience. Mr.. Fur
ness IA much too polite to attempt
to influence him by telling ofthe weak
ness of their church, or of the sacrific-
es others were making.
II think / might give one hundred
dollars" said Marvin, slowly, and
Furness turned away satisfied, know
ing that a bond and mortgage would
not be ecurer.
Others called Benjamin Marvin
wealthy, and he was the possessor of
several hundred acres of excellent
land. But as he rode on, he was de-
termining in his own mind just where
this money he had promised was to
come from. Against him no mortgage
had ever been recorded, and the bank
ers were not nearly go well acquainted
with his signature as they wished. 1t
was not sufficient for him to know
that there would be enough left
at the years end to pay the
debt. He liked to feel that it was
coming from a certain part OF his as
sured income. 1t seemed best to pro-
vide for this particular promise from
the rent of a small farm some miles
distant. The half yearly payment
was already overdue, and he was
daily expecting to receive it. Fifty
dollars he had promised to Mrs. Mar
vim, and that she should have. Out
OF the remaining one hundred he had
promised himself that he would re-
place the well-worn suit he vas wont
to don on the Lords day, but that
could wait another six months.
He had been too unwell to 60
over and collect his rents, and
felt not q little uneasy that
it had not been brought to him.
He was pleased, then, when he saw
Philip Brooks, his tenant, coming up
the road to meet him. But Brooks
did not. seem anxious to see him; he
looked steadfastly in the opposite di-
r%ection, and scarcely retulned the
Quaker's measured greeting.
when could thee pay thy rent,
Philip" asked Mr.. Marvin.
Never" returned Brooks doggedly,
as he hurried away.
Marvin's keen, deep, sunken, gray
eyes blazed withswhat he felt to be q
righteous indignation.
Strange q renter can't be honest,
ne said to himself, as he went on his
way.
AS he passed the residence of Squire
H., that gentleman stood at his gate
and exchanged a pleasant greeting. A
smooth, soft-mannered mar was the
squire; the illegal right" of the little
precinct, and ever-ready for business
In his line. Marvin had been too much
stirred by Brooks conduct not to tell
his grievances to the justice. That
worthy condemned the tenant in the
strongest terms, and limited that the
rent might be collected at law; posi-
bly, they might seize Brooks horses.
Marvin had never appeared in any
court inhis life. Both his creed and his
practice were opposedtoit it. But hetold
MS good wife, when he reached home,
That duty almost forced it upon him
IN this case. Brooks was O young
man, and if he allowed him to deny
ms debts inthis way, he would encour-
age him in evil.
Mrs. Marvin was not satisfied, but
she never opposed her strong-willed
husband directly. She only said gem
tly:
Don't thee think he would let thee
take part of his grain? 1t seems apity
20 take the poor fellows horses.
think thee had best see him again at
least
To this Marvin agreed, and that af-
Jernoon found him on his way to see
Brooks.
When his last tenant, after five pfos-
porous years, had signi6ed his intention
ofbuying o Tor himself Marvin had