The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1895-07-21


ances. Mrs. Muncie had occasional "help'
from the settlement, but that such q
heathen as this boy could exist IN any
christian community seemed beyond be-
lief. He grinned compassionately with a
comprehensive glance at his garments
when she asked him if he did not go tc
school.
"Slectman come an said we must &c
oncst," he cried, "but whose gwine lookln'
like this ere? We uns didn't"
No, he did not have to herd the turkeys
every Sunday, and he assented eagerly to
Martha's proposal that on the following
Sunday he come himself and bring the
other 'fellers" to hear more fully the mar
velous story of the Light of the World.
For Martha's resolution was taken, and
peace had come after the tumult OF her
bitter agony. She could not attend the one
church in Dilworth-she did not even
know that she was fit to enter its sacred
portals; but perhaps God would suffer her
to teach these of his little ones, and she
would endeavor to do what she could g
show him to them.
And SO the next Sunday, the next and
the next, saw the queer little mob gathered
in her spotless kitchen to hear them
Stories" and in few weeks the little class
was an understood thing.
1t was Mrs. Muncie who first made the
startling discovery and spread through the
congregation the news that Martha Cox
was teaching the youngsters from that
Kansas colony every Sunday"
Il don't see how she dares do It," said
Mr.. Dean, the Postmaster, to the group OF
brethren who were discussing the matter
in the store one evening. "She amt no
more'n an atheist herself; don't go to
church, an act'ally got up an left the
place sacrament Sunday"
She'll teach them all manner of I'M
truth, " was Deacon Muncie's dictum, and
Elder Bray looked very serious indeed, and
talked gravely of the dangers of blind
guides and false doctrines.
the three officials, making another unavail-
ing visit to Martha to protest against the
meetings of the little class.
1.-The elder says it's pure schlsm," Mrs.
Bray announced in sewing circle, where
the official visit and Martha's refusal to
abandon her class were being canvassed.
'There are quite number of our young
folks who are in danger of being led astray
by Martha Cox. Jennie Marsh was over
there last Sunday, an stayed to help teach
them heathens."
"For my part" said Mrs. Muncie, firmly,
81 think we ought to do something. I've
talked with Mrs. jerks that works for me.
She said her Jim hadn't no clothes to come
to our Sunday-school, an | don't s'pose
she really could make him fairly pre-
sent bic, but that amt no reason why he
should be learnt soul-destroying doctrine
by Martha Cox, n SO / told her if she let
him go there any more she couldn't do my
work. | couldn't in conscience employ
her. / reckon that'll do some good"
There was murmur of mixed approval
and dissent TO this, but the approval car
ried the day, and before the circle adj
journed it was unanimously decided that
Martha Cox's dangerous schism should be
at once and forever pipped in the bud.
Threats of credit stopped, of patronage
Withdrawn from their fiocks of turkeys and
chickens. of work denied them, soon
brought the otherwise Indifferent squatters
to see the evils attendant upon schism and
heresy, and one by one the boys and girls
dropped, though not without protest and
sorrow upon their part and Martha's, from
the Sunday afternoon assembly.
Tim Burns, Martha's first acquaintance
in the colony, was presently the only one
left
II amt never goin' ter leave off
comm" he said to Martha one day as
they were driving home from Havernack.
1t was near Christmas time. Martha had
gone to the town, as usual, with a basket
of eggs and some fat fowls, for which she
had a steady though not extensive mar
ket, and Tim had accompanied her as
great treat. They were nearly home when
Tim suddenly shouted:
'Jerusay! What's a-comin'P Look out,
Miss Marthy! See there, quick! !"
Down the road at a furious gailop, with
an overturned cutter behind him and a
broken hitching strap slapplng about his
head, came Deacon Muncie's gray colt,
headed directly for them.
Turn her out, quick, Miss Marthy"
was Tins exhortation, and Martha gave
a great tug on the left rein to bring old
Sorrel out Of the road The rotten leather
broke off short at the buckle. The half
blind animal turned full across the way in
response,to the guiding pressure of the re-
manning rein, and in another instant the
gray charged full upon the ancient sleigh.
There was q shrek from Tim, but Martha
never heard it. She lay unconscious on
the snow when the deacon and pursuing
crowd from the village appeared upon the
scene.
They lifted Martha tenderly. One leg
was twisted under her and one arm hung
Imply at her side.
Its a Judgment, sure's fate" groaned
Mr.. Dean, the Postmaster.
We'll hope for the best, Mr.. Dean"
said Deacon Muncie, piously. ut may be
the Lords a-dealin with her. Drat that
colt. expect he'll be ruined, even if he
amt done hisself no hurt afore ne stops"
Carefully the nurL form was plaCeu OH
passing wood sled. "We'll lake her in
here some one said. ut happened
handy, for she'd have to come here any
how, l reckon" Here" happened by
some grim malice of destiny to be the
county farm, the nearest house, and into
it poor Martha was borne, never again,
alive, to pass the gate now opened to admit
her.
The news of the accident spread like
wildtire, and it was not long before
throng had gathered of Martha's old
friends and neighbors-even schisms being
for the moment forgotten in honest SYM
pathy over this new misfortune.
Not a soul in Dllworth save little Tim
Burns doubted that night that the acct
dent had been a judgment of God upon
Martha Cox for her doubt of him, and one
and all, as the days went by, endeavored
to win Martha to this point OF view.
II wish they wouldn't all hector her SO.
DR.. Bennett said to Elder Bray one day,
meeting the latter coming up the pathway
Just as the man of pills was leaving
Marthas bedside. "She keeps good, stiff
upper lip through all this worry, but can
see it's wearing on her. It's enough to
turn the poor things brain. Why do you
bother her? Dear me, she's one of the
kindliest hearts that ever lived. Her
SOULS all right, but l won't answer for her
mind if this thing goes on much longer"
The doctor was new in Dilworth and had