The daily morning journal and courier., 1894-11-10

dow of the Red Lion in the street be-


 dow of the Red Lion in the street be- low.
 What is worrying YOU. Phiiip?" at last affectionateiy inquired Mother Marden.
 1.-Two things" he answered without turning from the window. 'one is the almost hopelessness of reaching and melting few stony hearts here in Dent ville."
 But the revival meetings have won over great many to the church." broke in Ruth encouragingly.
 "Yes. many. But that has been the easiest task. The obdurate, puritanic. stony. self-justified souls within the church are. the most needing saving grace"
 My! What do you mean. PhilipT begged Ruth with genuine concern.
 'I mean that have been preaching here for nearly twenty years straight at the hearts of old Gabe Dent and a few others like him; preaching the gospel of charity, mercy, tenderness. forgiveness. peace. They sit with closed eyes and sanctimoniously squared Jaws and roar "Amenp' and are harder and crueler than ever. Why, do you know" he con- tinued with burst with almost pitiful Encouragement, "every clergyman in every civilized community on earth could gather the suffering and all but lost close within the folds of infinite love and peace. were 1t not for these very impossible barriers of obdurate self-justlfcation, disgusting cant, dead ly uncharitableness and mercilous cruel- ty, set like flint, within the church It. self, toward every unfortunate, suffer- ing heart to which the divine Passion was alone directed!"
 The needles of Mother Warden and Ruth flew little faster; but beyond sympathetic glances toward the man at the lattice. there was no response.
 Think of the treatment those poor. miserable transformers down at the tavern are receiving in Dentville this very moment" he said with vigorous gestures of commiseration and condem- nation, as though eloquently pleading their cause in his own pulpit.
 What are 'barn-stormers," brother Philips"
 "Eh? Why broken down actors or reputable actors who, under the bitter stress of necessity go from one town to another with all manner of pathetic shifts and expedients, clutching like scourged beasts at something upon which to live"
 Little calculations of surprise and pity escaped the gentle woman's lips.
 "These miserable beings have tried to give entertainments at the town hall. The weather has whipped every one out of the streets, and, more sorrowful still, old Gabe Dent, under the guise of re- ligious duty, has warned away from the hall every soul in the village his wealth or the fear of his hatred could influence. Result: Not half dozen present the first night, and not more than half that number last night, Tonight, in the bit ter storm, what can the attendance be?" '"
 Dear, dearw and Poor souls" mur- mured mother and daughter sympathet- ically. .s.. -.., ...@ A,F5F
 Worse than all at old Gabe Dents instigation-as Gibbs leases the tavern from him and is always behind in his rent-their ragamuffin belongings have been attached; they are without food, as learned at the postoflce this noon; the chief actor is broken down and i'll; and all of the few members of the com pany are only half-clad and are certain ly half-starved"
 What are they to do?' asked Ruth vvv{k kI~ 1 den, who had laid hef work aside, sat with half-closed eyes. soberly regarding their own blazing fire.
 What are they to do, Ruth? If hu- man or divine interpretation does not