Phillipsburg herald. [volume] (Phillipsburg, Kan.) 1882-1905, 1892-07-28
A CHARACTER PARADOX.
Jack Bowdoins Conversion and How It
Came About
BY CLAY M. GREENE.
CHATTER n.-Continued.

And the astute Mr.. Sampson made
the following entry in his subscription
book:
MARY Clarissa Bowdoin, cash 81 900"
And now, Parson, said Jack, there's
somethin' else. want to learn to play
the organ by note, and you can put me
on the right road to it.
How SOP"
Nobody in Aspen but Miss Charles
knows how TO teach it, and a month
ago you wouldn't let her give me
lesson"
Il was afraid that any connection with
you"
Would give her a bad name, that's
it. But I'm different now: I'm a
changed man. I go to church twice
every Sunday. I sent to Chicago and
every night play church music to the
boys.
Mr.. Bowdoin, you surprise mel"
Yes, and you can bet stack o. blues
I surprised the boys, tool Why, you
hear me, Parson, just give me half
show, and I'll have that there church
O. yourn chock full o. religious gam
blers."
THAT would indeed be a most desir-
able victory of the truth over SIM"
We'll, if it wouldn't, you can break
me! And you can help bring it about.
do tell me, how?" Mr.. Sampson was
now becoming interested.
Why" replied Jack, with much
warmth, "by writin' a note to Miss
Charles tellin' her she must teach me
how to read notes. Then the boys
won't get tired O. the old tunes.
DO you ever pray with your friends,
Mr.. Bowdoin?"
This was something of a staggerer to
I, = IL
thoughts, he had made the bluff, and
must play out his hand"
Well. no. You see, haven't got the
hang O. prayin' just yet, and if I had,
they wouldn't understand it. So
thought I'd better get at EN- first
through the inspirin' music o. the organ.
Yes, think do. The idea is novel,
and ought to prove very effective. will
write the note to Miss Charles"
That's right, ParsOn, and let me de-
liver it.
The note giving to Miss Helen Charles
her pastors permission to accept Mr..
John Bowdoin as a music pupil, for re-
hgiOus reasons, was duly written, and
Jack, Selling it eagerly, arose to go.
One moment, my friend, said Mr..
Sampson. Have you Bible?"
"Er-well-nO. You see, I loaned it
to a friend o mine that's goin' to be
hung"
Take this then, handing Jack small
Bible, "as a gift of affection from me,
and with it my blessing" And the man
of God pressed the gambler warmly by
the hand.
AS Jack passed out of the parsonage
with the precious note in his pocket and
the Bible in his hand, he found himself
stirred by most peculiar emotions. Sew
eral contending forces seemed to
wrangle in his breast. He was deeply
moved by the soft speech and tender
manner of the benevolent old pastor,
and within his heart of hearts there
was just tinge of remOrseful rebuke
for having lied so tremendously to the
worthy man.
Il can square it though, he thought,
~by maxim it come true. I wonder how
it'd work? I wonder if the Bible forbids
gamblin'? I'll read it to night and find
out. :"
By this time he had reached the Hop
kins cottage, and his musings ceased.
For the second time he stood at the
door, and rang the bell. 1t was opened
by Helen Charles herself, and before
she could recover from her surprise at
finding him again in her presence, he
had placed Mr.. SIMPSONS note in her
hand.
Here's a letter from the parson.
Miss"
For me?"
"Yes, he told me to fetch it to you"
She opened it and began to read. He
thought he noticed look of pleasure on
her handsome face, but said nothing un-
til she had folded the sheet and replaced
it in the envelope.
viii you learn me now, Miss?"
Yes, Mr.. BowdOin, she replied,
smilingly most willingly"
He said nothing for a moment or two,
but looked into her face with eyes full
of earnestness and gratitude. Then
when he had stammered out a grateful
THANK you. Miss, I'll never forget this
as long as I live" she saw two great
tears tremble down his cheeks and fall
at her feet.
this involuntary exhibition of weakness
she came to his rescue.
Shall you be ready to begin at once?
ANY time you say, Miss.
-Now2"
Yes, Miss, if it wouldn't be too much
trouble"
Il have no instrument at home, but
you have no objection we will so over Il
the church"
So they walked silently down the hill
together ard entered the church. Thii
guileless. innocent girl. whose soul haG
never yet become tainted by a singh
impure thought, sat trembling bestd
the professional outcast, who had beef
Graded in the lap OF vice, nurtured int
manhood by the fruits of sin; who's
whole career had been one Of outlaw.
and crime. And there in the little Orgal
loft, with no listeners save the rafter
and the pews, the Vulture took his frs
music lesson from the Dove.
CHAPTER III.
Before the evening fell, the lesso
was over, and the mere announcement
that it was so fell like a cloud over tn
spirit of the pupil. The new atmospher
in which for two hours he had foun
himself made him feel as though b
would never tire, if it could only con
tinue on and on forever. Helen ha
said nothing to him that was not in tn
line of instruction, and yet her ever
word sent a thrill of fervOr and deIiOI