The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1891-11-19
FOR YOUTHFUL READERS.
GOOD READING FOR OUR
YOUNG PEOPLE.
waking a Stand--"CIever Flip
Romantic Discovery--The
Largest and Smallest Of
Their klnd--School-
boy Chivalry
Making a Stand.

|
sionary, says that an itinerant minis
ter reached mining town in the State
OF Washington late one Saturday.
The place seemed to be peopled Who'll
ly by men. Not a woman was to be
seen.
"Where is the church?' he asked
ser-by.
"Ain't no church."
'"The schoolhouse, then?''
"No schoolhouse, neither"
us there a hall then? / wish to
preach here tomorrow"
BLESS you, that's easy fixed! We've
got no hall. But this gentleman here
has the biggest gambling room in town.
What dye say, Ben? Can't you lend
your place for meetin'?"
Certainly" said Ben, bowling DO
litely. 'I'll stop business for couple
OF hours with pleasure. H.
On Sunday morning the tables were
pushed aside and chairs; kegs, and
barrels were arranged as seats for the
congregation, which consisted wholly
ot men. The room was crowded.
The preacher, stirred by the imminent
need OF his hearers, spoke as a man
with life in his hands to dying men.
They listened attentively, and joined
with energy in the hymns.
When the service was over, "Ben"
solemnly passed around a hat, and
emptied the. contents on the table.
The pile consisted of silver and gold
coins, and some red and white ivory
discs. d.
"What are these?" inquired the
minister.
EChips, sir. You can have them
cashed at the bar or if YOU like to
take a hand, the tables will be set up
in five minutes"
NO. said the stranger. But will
use the money, boys, to send a
preacher to you twice a month"
In this town there are now churches
which are we'll supported. The sa-
looms and gambling houses have near
ly disappeared.
A similar story is told Of a camp in
Colorado. A young lad from Virginia,
whose health had failed, was sent by
his physician to a great ranch in this
territory. He found there were about
fifty men-ranchmen, herders, and
cowboys. ..:,.
Every Sunday evening they assem-,
bled, and a scene of horseplay and
ribald joking followed. 1t was the
only way in which the day was kept.
The boy was not a member of the
church, but the teachings of home
grew strong and tender here What
could he do? He could nor lecture or
rebuke his companions.
One Sunday evening, just as the
moon rose over the mountain, there
was a sudden silence in the crowd
scattered over the field. The toughest
man seemed to feel the sublime beauty
of the sight. y
The boy, who had a mellow, sweet
voice, began to sing, Nearer my GOD
to Thee" One or two voices Joined
and soon every man sang, with Meth.
er tune nor time, perhaps, but with
Jealous eagerness.
'"The "singing" became regular
Sunday service after that, and when,
two or three weeks later, one of the
older men volunteered to read pray
ers, he was listened to with devout at.
tention.
Many a lad who reads these words
may be cast by circumstances among
companions who are reckless and i'm.
moral. Even if he is not a member oil
any church, let him not be ashamed
to acknowledge to them that his God
is with him.
If he does this in q manly, discreet
way, he will not be fouted nor jeered
at, nor made a martyr in any man.
ner-Youth's Companion. .-.....
"Clever Flip" ..- IT..
He was only common black-and,
tan dog, not a beauty by any means,
for his eyes We're SO unpleasantly
prominent as to have almost the APP
pearance OF glass eyes. What he
lacked lin beauty, however, he made
up in wit. AS there were no children
in the house, he became q great pet,
and was taught many funny tricks;
but none of these were so clever as
some things that he did Of his own
motion. In o bright sunny room OF
the third story lived dear old lady,
a distant but greatly beloved relative
OF the family. She had chosen this
room in order that she might be out
OF everybody's way, as she said, and
free to entertain herself with, writing,
reading, or sewing, as she. liked; for
| she was very deaf and could not enjoy
general conversation. Indeed, she
could not hear at all without an ear
trumpet. AS she could not hear the
bell, Flip had been taught to 60. up
and summon her. to, her meals. If
sent to call any one, else he always
barked noisly, but when sent for his
deaf friend he would scamper up to
the third story room, and, if he
found the door open, would begin
frisking and dancing around her, say
ing, Come, come" in every move
ment, but with ollt ult herring sound. He
had learned by perienceth that he must
attract her attention by the eye. Even
l. I, G., \.