The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1895-10-16
A CHARACTER
: PARADOX.
Jack BoWdoin'S Conversion
and How It Came About.
BY CLAY M. GREENE.
-ArTER u.-Contis.uou.

che following entry in his subscription
Book:
Mary Clarissa Bowdoin, cash 81 ,0oo."
And now, Parson," said Jack, there's
Somethin' else. Iwant to learn to play
the organ by note, and you can put me
on the right road to it.
How so?"
Nobody in Aspen but Miss Charles
Knows how to teach it, and month
ago you wouldn't let her give me
lesson"
Twas afraid that any connection with
you--"
Would give her bad name, that's
It. But I'm different now; I'm
changed man. I 60 to church twice
every Sunday. I sent to Chicago and
had an organ brought to my place, and
every night play church music to the
boys"
Yes, and you can bet stack o blues
! surprised the boys, too! Why, you
hear me, Parson, just give ms half a
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
"Well, il it wouldn't, you can break
me! And you can help bring it about.
do tell me, how2" Mr.. Sampson was
now becoming interested.
Why" replied Jack, with mucn
warmth, "by writin' 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
Jack, but, as he expressed it in his
thoughts. he had made the bluff, and
must play out his hand.
:. We'll, no. You see, I haven't got the
hang O prayin' just yet, and il I had,
they wouldn't understand it. So I
thought I'd better get at 'em first
through the inspirin' music O. the organ.
Yes, I 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.
Tie note giving to Miss Helen Charles
her pastors permission to accept Mr..
John Bowdoin as music pupil, "for re-
ligious reasons" was duly written, and
Jack, seizing it eagerly, arose to 60.
zone moment, my friend" said Mr..
Sampson. Have you Bibles"
"Er-well-no. You see, / loaned 1T
to a friend O. mine that's goin' to be
hung"
g.. IT axe this then, handing Jack small
Bible, "as q 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. Sey-
eral contendilg forces Seemed to
wrapgle 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 q 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? ] wonder if the Bible forbids
namblin'? 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
band.
Here's q letter from the parson.
Miss"
For me2"
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 che had folded the sheet and replaced
1t in the envelope.
Will you learn me now, Miss?"
Yes, Mr.. Bowdoin," she replied,
Bmilingly, most willingly"
He said nothing for q moment or two
but looked into her face with eyes full
of earnestness and gratitude. Then
when he had stammered out 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.
Noticing, too, his embarrassment at
this involuntary exhibition Of weakness,
she came to his rescue.
Shall you be ready to begin at once?"
ANY time you say, Miss"
~Now?"
Yes, Miss, if it wouldn't be too much
trouble"
Il have no instrument at home, but II
you have no objection we will 60 over to
the church"
So they walked silently down the hin
together ard entered the church. This
guileless. innocent girl. whose soul had
never yet become tainted by a single
impure Lought, sat trembling beside
the professional outcast, who had been
Graded il the lap Of vice, nurtured into
ms snhood by the fruits of Sin; whose
whole career mad been one Of outlawry
and crime. And there in the little organ
loft, with no listeners save the rafters
and the pews, the Vulture took his first
music lesson from the Dove.
CHAPTER III.
Before the evening fell. the lesson
was over, 9rc -ne mcTe unnom cement
that if was so fell like cloud over the
spirit of the pupil. The new atmosphere
in which for two hours he had found
himself made him feel as though he
would never tire, IL it could only con-
tinue on and on forever. Helen had
said nothing to him that was not in the
line of instruction, and yet her every
word sent thrill Of fervor and delight
through every nerve. She spoke in a
gentle, almost friendly tone, yet he
would not for worlds have dared TO ask
her a single question, lest the sound OF
his voice might break the spell she had
.,e+ ohnuy him She was so close to