The Maryville times. (Maryville, Tenn.) 1884-1944, 1889-07-03


red-cheeked, large-eyed young man,
dressed like clergyman and acting as lit
tie as possible like the conventional type of
that clasa He stopped and shook hands
with each of the three friends, and began
to talk to them in hearty, CHEEKY way
"Glad to meet you all What's the news?
May know what you three are talking SO
earnestly about?"
'Yes-part OF it, at least" said Jones,
with wink at his companions. 1--WE were
talking of getting up Fourth Of July cele-
bration."
Excellent idea! The day ought always
to be observed in an appropriate manner.
What can do to help along with its"
Nothing, sir. The fact ia, we have con-
cluded that there's no use to try it here in
Crammond"
You astoDish me-" said Mr.. Wager. II
have been settled in two places befo 3
coming here. Each was smaller than this;
but each observed our National holiday
with great enthusiasm. What's the matter
here!"
The farmer and the merchant,slooked at
the teacher. -
ut is not" said the latter, that there Ia
any lack of patriotism In Orammond
There is little wealth here, a. you have
learned, but the people are naturally liberal
and open-hearted But for some years past
they have been chilled and discouraged by
the wretched example OF that old hunks on
the hill
'Of whom?" asked Rev. Mr. Weger, ele-
waiting his eyebrows.
Ezra Gallup Of course"
"Ah! I've heard something OF him. Go
on and tell me more"
He's the richest man in the town-the
richest man in the county. They say he's
worth a million"
Every cent OF 1t" put in the merchant
Has mortgages on half the town. Income
so big that he is troubled to invest it And
he's the meanest old Shylock out. Escapes
every public burden he can; swears down
his taxes, extorts compound interest, and
as for charity or giving any thing away, he'd
think you crazy to ask him. So you see the
people have fallen into what may call an
evaporation of temper over the situation.
They won't give from their humble means
when old misery Gallup escapes every
thing with his great riches. This is the
reason why we can have no Independence
Day doings here The first man and each
man we might 60 to with subscription
paper would say: Take 1t up to Gallup. ;"
Mr.. Jones and Mr. Ripley nodded emphatic
assent to every assertion
HAS he been asked to give to public OBJ
iects?' inquired Mr.. Wager.
mot lately; what would be the usens - LIZ
hard heart has been well known for years;
nobody would think of asking him"
II propose to give him chance" said the
minister, decidedly. II am not old in the
ministry or in knowledge of human nature;
but I've known very hard shells to be soft
ened by the proper means, If you will add
me to your committee, I will 60 around
with you and solicit tomorrow. We will
begin with Mr.. Gallup, meeting here at nine
o'clock"
The others were amazed and at first un-
willing; but as they found that the minister
was firm and in earnest, they finally agreed
"It'll be great fun, any way" said Jones.
III.
Ezra Gallup, sitting on his broad and
shaded doorstep with his pretty daughter
by his side, did not look in the least like
the traditional mtser. He was portly In
body and rubicund in face, but with &C.
we're chin and little, twinkling eyes, He
loyed to acquire and to enjoy, but was not
willing that enQther soul, save bis beloved
daughter, should shSfS the fruit of any of
his gains This was his character In a nut
shell; 1t was the refinement OF selfshness.
His wife. delicate creature Of sentiment
and feeling, had died when Eudora was q
child. saying that she hoped there was a
world where larks and doves did not mate
with barn-yard fowls.
Dora" exclaimed Mr.. Gallup who are
those men coming up the walk"
"They are the new minister, pa, and Mr..
Jones, Mr.. Ripley and Mr.. Nelson"
"What the devil do they want hersf I'd
like to 'see-"
Good morning, Mr.. Gallup" said the
minister, little in advance Of the others,
and tipping his hat to the daughter, who
seemed surprised but not displeased to see
him there. THESE gentlemen and myself
| are committee soliciting subscriptions in
aid of the proper celebration of Independ-
ence Day In Cramm0nd. We"
"You have come to the wrong place.
never give any thing to anybody"
1--WE are sure you will make an exception
in this instance, sir. II you will head the
list with a reasonable amount we shall
have no difficulty in getting FIVE hundred
dollars subscribed The people all seem to
wait on you"
Let them wait and be -! You're minis
ter, amt your Nice business for you to be
engaged in-begging money to spend In
| ire-crackers and such foolishness"
| "A minister ought to take an interest in
every thing that tends to humanize and
broaden the people that he dwells among.
When heard that the anniversary of our
lNahon's birthday had not been celebrated
| for years in Crammond, resolved that 1t
should be this year. We can't afford to do
without the lessons that it teaches! The
young people must know all about the day,
and what makes II glorious. We must fulfill
grand old John Adams prediction, when he
said: When we are in our graves, our
children will honor it They will celebrate
It with Thanksgiving, with festivity, with
bonfires and illuminations On its annual
| return -"
"Bosh!~ growled Mr. Gallup John
| Adams never said that. It's one Of Dan
websters silly f1ights But I don't care q
button. won't give you cent for thii
purpose; not cent, siri Do you hears"
Yes" replied Mr.. Wager, warming tc
his task, Il hear, and have got more to say
You have been described to me as q selfish
soulless miser, and l fear there is too much
reason for the opinion. Now. have duty
to do as a servant and minister Of God, and
I shall do it fearlessly. Miserable man!
warn you that His wrath will surely over.
take you ere long for your cruel selfish
ness. You are but His steward and agent
in the possession of vast wealth; Just a.