Union County courier. [volume] (Elk Point, Union County, D.T. [S.D.]) 187?-1913, 1897-10-28
,. sometimes II almost wish


my profession allowed me to think 80,
too, doctor. But 1t doesn't"
"Hang your profession!' jerked out
Jen. you're not parson?"
mo"
"Ever been one?'
"No."
''Then, why in the name Of common
sense don't you go and earn some
money? My good fellow, you're"
whats the good of preaching?" he
went on, changing his sentence. "The
world went very well for great many
centuries before you were born; it'll go
very well for many more after you're
buried. Let it go"'
The preachers deep eyes flashed.
I'm never do that" he said, quietly.
They had walked considerable
way, and JEFF looked up with we'll
assumed start of surprise.
Hanged If this isn't my place.
Never meant to bring you all this way
Come in and rest
The preacher hesitated. but he did
not wish to give offense and finally
they tramped up the narrow stairs to
.Jeff's sanctum-a little sitting groom
with hideOus cheap furniture, a tiaring
paper and Il table Uttered with books.
1t was all very cheerless, very dingy,
but jeff waved his guest to chair
with Il certain dignity foreign to his
usual manner--a survival, perhaps, Of
other ways Of life and of other visi-
tants than street preachers. After all,
it is the man who makes his surround
ings. A parvenu can be vulgar in a
palace: our little doctor, despite his
buster, might have been prince in
disguise.
So the preacher thought as he sat
down in the arm chair--black horse
hair covered, and deficient in the mat
ter of springs-and glanced round the
room at the well-worn books. at the
Oil-stote, which smelled abominably, at
the cupboard where the skeleton clat-
tered It's empty jaws among dry crusts
and ancient cheese.
Not much of a place. is it:' said
jeff. We've known better. both Of us.
But it does anything does. Excuse
me, but l want my supper. DO you
mind my getting it? Coin don't run to
many courses. But perhaps you'll help
me: Hate solitary meals--always did:
bad for the digestion. I'ah. how that
Internal thing does smell, to he surc.'
Of course the preacher saw through
the device, and its clumsy kindly deli
c:icy touched him as few things had
done of late. He murmured some com
monplace reply and proceeded to take
Il tender interest in the retrimming o:
the stove. fancy there were tears in
his tired eyes as he fumbled with the
matches. and that he blessed Jeff
grumpy hospitality with IA fcrvor
which would have agreeably astOnish-
ed the doctor. who had received so lit
tie gratitude in his time that he had
outgrown the usual habit of expect
ing it.
He did not look ut his guest rs he
hunted in the cupboard and brought
out such modest provision as it con-
tanned, and presently the preacher rose
and began to set the table ready in
silence. As he lifted one of the books
something on it's faded cover caught
his eye. On the brown leather was
stamped cOat-Of-arms, almost indis-
tinguishable by reason of its antiquity
JEFF saw the glance directed toward
him, took the book from his cOmpan-
ions hand and flung it roughly into a
corner.
Somebody's aristocratic vulgarity,"
he said, shortly. What do they want
to scatter their stupid quartcrings
about for? / picked it up second
hand"
The preacher went on silently with
his task. He was quite aware that the
book had not been picked up second
hand, but he did not even look as If he
doubted Jeff's statement Only think
the skeleton sidled little closer to the
cupboard door. 1t is a thing which all
skeletons will do at times.
The two men sat down at the table
and began their supper. They did not
talk much ut first, but presently JEFF
pushed back his chair and glanced
across at the preacher.
X told you lie just now" he said.
The preacher looked up, and the two
ne1f's eyes met.
II k1ow you did," he answered, sim.
ply.
II thought you didn't know. Rather
pride myself on telling a lie neatly.
Learned 1t at school-about the only
thing did learn there. All, now I've
shocked you."
NO" answered the other, sadly. II
II nrn not easily shocked"
"New sort of saint, Ell? Well, we've
had about enough of the old"
There was silence for moment and
then JEFF said:
How do you know:'
by the way you flung the book"
"Ah! I saw you looking ut the old
shield and it hurt. Odd how small
things do hurt sometimes. Perhaps
you know that, tooy'
II know it very WELL" murmured the