Lawrence democrat. (Lawrenceburg, Tenn.) 1884-1925, 1895-09-20

were all joyous with laughter, too.
Yet that outburst OF fun brought a
quick response of frowns on several
faces, panied look on another, and
general grimness on number more.
Perhaps it was unfortunate that that
particular NOISY spring welled up just
there beneath the forked roots of a
giant beech; perhaps 1t was not we'll
that the spot happened to be just half
way between two well-grown towns
with sandpapered road linking them,
a road Swallowed by arching elms; and
perhaps 1t was an unhappy circum-
stance that the knoll was altogether SO
suitable for a resting place. Then
again, perhaps all Of these were pecul-
iarly fortunate circumstances. 1t all
depends on the point of view for one
thing, and on whether the one to de-
eide has a breadth of soul capable OF
rendering divine decision.
The bell In the church had already
ceased tolling, the air was no longer
vibrant with the resonant hum of the
reverberating mass of iron, in the
tower, and the voice Of the organ was
stealing softly out into the silence, the
notes cropping like blinded beings here,
there, for hearts with which they
might echo their undertone in sweet
attune. And then-and then came
that rollicking laughter pealing in at
the windows and Earring the harmony
Of soul that had already settled down
to quiet enjoyment OF coming quiet
Sunday sermon, decorous Sunday
sermon, full of thankfulness for past
blessings, prayer for more to come;
and not too vigorous in its stirring up
to look after duties over which half the
world is content to draw a veil. What
wonder that the deacons frownedl
Deacon Endicott--an Endicott, he,
with generation or two of duty-do-
ing Endicotts at his inherited back
Deacon Endicott sat up briskly, glanced
across at his colleagues among the
elders, noted the irresolute expression
on the face of Brother Winthrop with
a smile of pity, and reached under the
seat for his hat. One or two others
reached for their hats also, but the En-
dicott habit was to lead. not follow,
and the deacon was already at his pew
door, when down from the pulpit came
low word, in a clear-cut tone that
carried 1t as though on effortless wings
of sailing bird: "Brother!'
The pastor Is a younger man than
his deacons, but there is something
wonderfully compelling in his win
some, penetrating eye, and the congre-
cation, now fully aroused and eager,
was not surprised to see flrst one and
then another of this elders rise from
his seat and approach the pulpit to at
tend the impromptu conference that
was thus suddenly started In the re.
cess behind the rail. Even the sexton
was called for, and word was said;
and then all dispersed as suddenly to
their several pews, some smiling, some
rather sulkily, while the pastor him
self descended the pulpit stairs and
strobe forward toward the door. There
were grown people in that church who
wished for once that they were not
grown, and that they dared to face
public opinion aud crowd the windows.
There were others who were disposed
to anathematize the organist for select
ing that moment to burst forth with
one Of his beautiful voluntaries, which
entrancingly throbbed and sang
through the pointed arches overhead,
but etfectually shut of any sound Of
voice which might have come from
windoward. There was no one to see,
none TO hear, and the pastor felt in his
heart of hearts thrill of loneliness as
he strobe down the aisle, much as
though he were leader of forlorn
hope; bound to be first in the battery,
bound to be blamed If the assault was
q failure. bound to succeed, If he sue
coed at all, through no earthly power
whatever.
There were fully thirtv-flve wheelmen
In close group around that spring,
sprawled at ease upon the turf, and en-
joying the light-hearted breeze, when
the tall, close-knit figure Of the pastor
came swiftly down the steps and to-
ward them.
Here comes the enemylr said one,
Iooulsrly. and instinctively mulish
feeling of resistance settled over them
sll. They would move on when they
got ready and not before 1t had not