Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1893-07-22
THE MINISTER'S MONEY.

1t Is hard to wish for books and have
no right to buy them. This long, mar
row shop, propped between two fashion
stores, aud seeming TO bulge behind
with the weight of learning on It's
shelves, tempted the minister sorely
Two volumes he wanted especially
His heart leaped up to see the dear
old covers. They had been familiar
poured into The mold Of his mind
should yield distinction to many a ser
mon. The dread that haunted him was
OF dearth when he stood in his pulpit
lie had no critic so cruel as the Rev
Richard East
His thin, white fingers went over
the roughened calf with strange.
caressing touch. He removed the first
and looked at the price His guess
was n scholars shot and close to the
mark. The books We're rare and IS
was asked.
The minister could not haggle. 1t
was an art beyond him. Nobody gave
him discount in Stokeley. You'd get
more Of gloss on living If you'd clip
the edges Of the radesmen's bills. as
they deserve and expect" said Mr.
Pankhurst, his foremost elder. Yes
thank you" said the minister. His
weak blue eyes were full of dreams
and his mouth wore a smile. The
thing was impracticable-cu off from
him.
So was the right to delye in those
mines Of erudition and eloquence. Three
pounds ten was exactly the sum he had
saved with a struggle to spend In Lon
don. The odd shillings were gone al.
ready, and the series Of meetings he
had come up to attend only began
yesterday, The sterile walk at a con
ference was before him now. There
the pity Of it all met him and made
sigh leave his lips He had ceased
to hope that the session which was his
business would help him; but he knew
that If he had these two tall folios
he would be a broader man ami a
fuller preacher. Poverty pressed him
back toward threadbare themes Even
II the trader would take less he was
forbidden to buy.
The minister buttoned his coat about
his spare, STOPPING figure, and was soon
seated in an omnibus He had wasted
time, and the city clocks convicted
him.
Crowded out, but in good company;
two laggards together"
Behind was the dark face Of Caleb
Pankhurst, a strong man, and rich,
and a piriless. The minister's nerves
were awry, and the whisper, which was
a suppressed shout shook him. The
lrcam smile, that came and went
by a law remote, unfathomable, was
his only answer. But he sat down
where his elder pointed
When the sitting ended there was a
collection The Rev Richard East felt
for the small watch case purse which
held his f3 and the shilling he had
destined for the box today. II was
not to be found The flush came up
and the veins Of the minister's fore
head were darkened by the quick
tides Of fear
Gone stolenr he cried hoarsely
what do you mean? Has your
packet been picked? OF how much ?"
caleb Pankhurst's pity was vastly
shc ~coIn 10 a fine ear But he meant
well by the minister Talks well.
Don't know the world a bit" was his
usual verdict.
How much have you lost? Youn
never see a cent Of it again, you may
depend on that. 1t is really gone,
I suppose
They stood In the lobby now. The
minister was slow in answering.
"Of course III help you. The moneys
don't you sayt"
Yes"
Five pounds? One-wo?" He
measured the shy mans means too ac-
curately to suggest large figures. It
was meager salary in Heber Lane.
Three pounds ana a shilling or two
over"
1t was a queer, choked gasp The
was violently trembling
Masterful Impotence regarded him
with surprise and forgot the cloth.
Tut man, never mind! Don't addle
your head over 1t. There are worse
troubles for some Of us III give It
you out and out; not a Ioan-you I'M
dersnad. Itu run me close; but l am
at Stokeley tonight so no matter
insist on you taking it,
The minister put out his hands, as
If n wave back the cleaning gold
coins. There was passion In his ges-
ture. But It failed, and he knew that
ne was glad il failed.
"A gift" That was what he repeated
many times as he went up Chancery
line and down Holborn. He Staid
himself there. 1t was like a rock in
the Shadowy sea. Beyond were per
pleNides
He stopped at the old book shop.
and the books were not gone. He had
had a lively dread Of this, and it had
winged his feet. The haste and anxiety
was alike grauitous He breathed
80 d, -1av,.., vs,s rsFsr..,4 him