Alpena weekly argus. [volume] (Alpena, Mich.) 1871-1893, 1891-09-02
BORN TO LEAD.

But Hates heart was right, and
her eccentricities were always in the
cause of justice; so every one in the
village loved the maiden-if we expect
Major Wilder.
He had scolded her, when a merry
child, and he still regarded her with
evident displeasure. While she, al
though she stood a little in awe of the
gallant major, met defantly always
and seemed to delight in doing things
which would shock him.
what do you suppose our Kate is
going to do now?" laughed Mr.. Clark
son, as he entered his wife's sewing
room, one afternoon.
81 don't know, I'm sure !" she ex.
claimed, in accents ofdespair.
And no wonder, for the good woman
was in chrome state of expectation
of something.
"Tll tell you, mamsy p cried Kate
bouncing into the room in her usua
impetuous fashion. "They put me OIL
the committee to solicit funds for the
minister. It's a shame, the way the,
use Mr.. Gray. They haven't pait
half of his salary of last year yet, anc
| heard that the family were actually
suffering. It's disgrace to the town
and l told Major Wilder So"
"Why, Kate!" demonstrated he
mother. II did mamsy. | couldn'
help it and when he said that h,
would load a truck if | would haul j
to the parsonage, | took HIM up 81
quick that it made his head swim
That's how it all begun. Just thinl
of it l don't believe he gives a shill
ing year toward supporting tn
church. The rest of the girls are go
ing to join in-and the boys, too-anc
we'll have quite a parade"
"Why, Kate p said her mother
again.
LET her do it, wife. 1t is a shame
as she says. Mr.. Grayis a grand
good man, Christian worker, and al
eloquent preacher, but he cant live OIL
his good deeds. He is human, lik
the rest of us. But the major ma
load that truck rather heavy-eh
Kate ?" added Mr.. Clarkson, a trif
anxiously.
$50 much the better. I'll haul it
if it kills me, father. Never yo'
fear. There is only one small hill t.
climb, and | shall do it all right
Will Carson is going to get me pal
of driving boots, with long brads il
the soles, so / can slip. Dear won
l cut a figure? But I'll do it!' crie'
Kate. defant!y.
"Go ahead TN proud of you !" ex
claimed her father, so heartily, tina
her mothers feeble remonstrance wa
hardly heard.
The next afternoon nearly all TIN
villagers assembled near Majol
Wildor's house to witness the event.
Kate stood before heavily-ladel
truck with flushed, resolute face.
Upon the truck was a barrel Of flou
and sundry necessary articles, al
greatly needed at the parsonage
Major Wilder had been liberal il
making up the load.
Behind this truck were ranged in
line others of various sizes and burden
with merry, laughing owners, waitln
to follow their leader.
"All readyY" asked Major Wilder
with an amused glance along the linz
"All ready, SIR" answered Kat
with flashing eyes, and the processio
started.
The major walked near enough
see that Kate received no help wit
her heavy load.
1t was mile to Mr.. Gray's hous
and the roads we're none of the best
The warm spring sun had done j
duty, the snowy ice was broken }
patches of muddy ground and rivule
of cold water. Yet the resolute lead,
of the procession turned neither to Il
right nor left, but led her train direct
to the parsonage door.
"Tbis is Major Wilder's gift. M
Gray" she said, painting with trump
and excitement, as she waved her han
TO include the loads of all the other
But for his generous offer we migl
never have thought of this"
"And this is what Miss Kate b,
earned by hauling that truck here vii