The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1896-01-26

at q hotel with a. reckless disregard for
the dangers Of pickpockets and other
vicious characters. and to go about shop
ping in a hired conveyance at a cost not
short of fabulous. No one dared TO an
proach Colonel Billy upon SO ticklish
question, SO time passed away, and when
Miss Sally herself returned Ii was found
she had left her daughters behind visit
ing friends. This was deemed strong
evidence of the truth of the rumor. as
it was a well-known fact, that these
friends were worldly people, given to
cards and wine, dancing, theater going
and all the evils Of the world, the flesh
and the devil
Shortly before the next communion
service Miss Betty and her sister re-
turned, and it was then deemed ex-
pedient by the pastor and officers of the
church to take some measures toward
releasing Miss Betty from the iron hand
of her relentless parent. 1t was like
boarding lion in his lair to visit Colonel
Billy on such business, but they were
men Of conscience, SO a committee of
three was appointed. and one evening
pretty certain Of finding both father
and daughter at home, they repaired
With what dignity a sense of duty could
command to the Baldwin mansion
Nobody, not even a dog or peddler,
was ever received inhospitably there, so
the colonel, though wearing scarcely
visible air Of perplexity, gave these en-
bassadors from the walls of Zion
hearty Kentucky welcome and asked
them to make themselves at home by his
generous fireside. 1t was a sufficiently
awkward meeting, for the men soon dis
covered that they were laboring under
a mistaken idea. Colonel Billy knew
nothing whatever OF his daughters al
legged conversion, and summoned the
blushing damsel into the presence Of the
committee. Betty's big eyes were dancing
with laughter, though she looked a trifle
scared.
"Oh, gentlemen, you have misunder-
stood me-" she said in some confusion.
II only did it for fun. 1 saw that Dick
was getting interested, so it just popped
into my head to see IL the rest would
Join if 1 did. 1 didn't want to say any
thing so l just sang the hymn, putting
all the feeling / could into it, and II
worked wonderfully, didn't it"
Colonel Billy just checked the big
laugh that rose into his throat. He
noted the Mortified expression upon the
faces of his guests.
Gentlemen" he said, in tone which
Miss Betty did not like to hear, do
understand that the singing of that
hymn was taken as a profession of re-
ligion by your people?"
most certainly it was" replied the
spokesman.
And my daughter knew when she did
it that people would think she meant to
join your church,"
Certainly she did, sir. She has just
told you so.''
"Then by the eternal Lord Harry
shouted Colonel Billy, "she shall join it.
No Baldwin ever goes back upon any
sort of agreement. Go to your room Miss
Betty Baldwin and think over your con-
duct
He watched the departure of his crest
fallen daughter until she slowly as
cended the stairs, then returning to the
committee, he addressed them with the
utmost suavity.
"Gentlemen." he said, IT have a favor
to ask Of you which 1 am sure, as, beins
fathers yourselves. you will not refuse
to grant. Keep this little mistake of my
child a secret for me. / will answer for
her appearance on Sunday; indeed, will
be her escort myself"
The promise of secrecy was gained, the
committee only reserving the right to
include their pastor in the compact.
Early the next morning that gray-haired,
sedate gentleman called upon Colonel
Billy in his Office and surprised him in
the act of drinking toast to the long
life and prosperity of the first backslider
from the revival, who had dropped in to
chat a while with his friend of happier
as he did in some haste, the preacher
told Colonel Billy that he had come to
say that he could never permit his
daughter to be forced into his church.
Colonel Billy replied to this with the
utmost affability, clapped the old man
affectionately upon the shoulder and as
sured him the whole thing was merely a
slight Misunderstanding, and that his
daughter would certainly join the church
the next Sunday.
mo compulsion about it, sir; none at
all. Betty is of age and she is free
agent. OF course, the child may feel
that 1 wish her to do so. I've always
approved of such things. This may have
it's bearing; no doubt 1t has on every
dutiful child. Yes, sir, Betty will be on
hand right up to time; no trouble of any
kind about it-merely the child's ignor-
ance Of your customs regarding the
business Indeed. sir, I am convinced
that Betty has believed herself mem
Der ever since she made her profession.
At home Betty lay in her bedroom
pouting and crying the live-long day.
She and her father had had an interview,
and she knew just which way the wind
blew when he came out and closed the
door after him. Mrs. Baldwin also knew,
and, though at most times she was the
real ruler of the establishment, she
recognized that this was one of the few
occasions upon which all resistance
would be wasted, and so consoled her
self by gong upon campaign OF fearful
and wonderful cleaning and renovating
| of the whole premises, taking time to
steal up now and then to fondle and con-
| sole her proud daughter in her hour OF
| humiliation.
Late at night a little knock came at
| Miss Betty's door. Betty" said a soft
| voice outside. Betty, may come in?''
| 1t was Sue, and she pushed the door
| open as she spoke. Betty was still lying
| on the bed, her eyes swollen with weep
| ing. Betty" said her sister, laying her
| head down beside the flushed face on the
| pillow, when you go up to be taken into
| the church tomorrow you will not have
| to go all alone"
why not?" asked Betty somewhat in
differently.
Because" said Sue, almost in a whis-
per: because 1 will go and join the
| church too"
| Betty sat up. you will?" she asked
| fiercely. "Well, you needn't just to help
me out. / daresay 1 shall get along all
| right"
But it isn't altogether that, dear.
| said Sue still lower. IL really want
| to. Betty; believe in it, have all the
| .:me."
| Betty opened her eyes. "Well!" she
| exclaimed, and lay back on her pillow.
The next Sunday Colonel Billy APP
peared arrayed in his most resplendent
broadcloth. and bearing daughter upon