The Red Cloud chief., 1886-02-05
The Preachers Knew What lt Vas

went TO Omaha Is a delegate 70 4
church convention. The brother
wanted 10 look his best, and 10 that
end he took particular care in prepar-
ing hi. outfit. There were 10 be dele
gates from the churches all over TIM.
broad land, and a. the eastern people
have an idea that Nebraska Is out In
the wilderness, and that the westerners
wea. buckskln suits and coonskin caps
this good brother Of ours Was determin-
ed 10 teach them a different lesson.
He had a broadcloth coat, . yes, cut
low and in the lates, style. n broad
expanse OF white shirt bosom and n
brand new Derby hat. Were ii not
that he had passed beyond the forties
and that he holds q high place IN the
councils Of the church with which he
is connected in Red Cloud. one nigh,
have taken u brother for a dude.
But appearances are deceptive. When
dressed in his bes, and ready for his
journey our brother surveyed himself
IN the large mirror in his parlor. That
he was pleased with his appearance
there is no question, for his family say
there was n satisfied smile on his face
| such as they had not seen in many a
day. But one thing he lacked 10 make
is outfit complete. At home he had
no use for 4 watch: away from home.
however, il might be convenient TO
| have owe. Possibly some Of the breth-
rem at the religious convention -
| which he was delegate, might slop
over IN prayer or in speech, and when
the other brethen would pull out their
watches to warn the speaker that he
was tresspassing on precious time he
did not want 10 be the only one in the
large a~ssemblage without a tiker. A
happy thought struch him and worked
is way through his we'll creased hair
One Of his sons had n watch and he
| would borrow it. The chain would
I ornament his vest. After he got The
watch he put it on, and then again
surveyed himself in the glass to note
the effect. 1t was magical. At the
end Of the chain was suspended a cute
looking piece Of ivory of about the size
| of a dollar but as u brother was no,
acquainted with the wicked uses &c
which such things are pu. he looked
upon il only rs a handsome ornament
that finished of the toute ensemble, as
the French would say.
One the way to Omaha he was kindly
greeted in the cars and elsewhere 10y
iiashily dressed men, all Ct which on,
brother took as n compliment to his
improved appearance. He never
dreamed that the ivory pendant I O hi.
watch chain had any connection with
the recognition which he received
from the fiashily dressed men. Arriv-
| ing at his destination a min.ling in
the church with the other delegates he
found that he was attracting NOR
than ordinary attention from hi
brethren. 1t was pleasing to him and
yet at the same time embarrassing
One good old elder who had beer
preaching the gospel for more than 8
quarter of a century came up to oul
brother and, with a bland smile, askcl
him why he wore that peculiar ivory
badge at a church gathering Gu
good brother probably thought that hi:
son was a member Of some secre
society Of which the ivory piece wa'
the badge, and that possibly the eide
was a pember of the same society. 81
he confessed that it belonged to one q
his boys but that he did not understand
the meaning of the mystic badge. TIL
elder opened wide his eyes. Was j
possible that ne had found one man ii
that vast assemblage who did no
know a poker chip from the badge Of
secret society, He explained to on
Red Cloud brother the significance G
the ivory badge he wore on his ve-
chan and this made plain to him VIII
the ilashily dressed men were .
friendly toward him while he Wa
travelling to Omaha. 1t is needless I
say hat following the advi &c of Tia
elder who had preached the gospel f.
4 quarter of a century. onr Red Clou
brother promptly detached the poke
caip from his watch chain. lie the
swore Off from eve borrowing his son
watch again.