The record-union., 1898-01-23

| would better make up your mind to taat
| beforehand, then you Will not lie disap-
| pointed. | viii give you some books
fer your reading from my shelves, and
do what /! can
How will they do?" Jed questioned;
viii I be examined like in sahool9'
That's it," Mr. White nodded When
you are ready we will make applicano
and there will be a committee appointed
to come down and examine into your
qualifications and fitness.
/ Qualifications and fitness" Jed re-
peated, with quiet smile OF enjoyment;
that sounds pretty good. 1 don't reek
on they'll find much. But you give me
the books an I'll give her d try any
how, just to please nanny"
| Mr.. White went to his book shelves
and examined the dingy volumes with
puzzled expression. biting his lips and
cracking the joints CT his thin fingers.
4 suppose you have some Familiarity
with the Bible itself?" he queried
"Oh. sure Jed answered; I know
| the mammy's readin' an mine. I've
got a good remembrance. if that's any
help
You will find II a great hep" the 9th
er said; you viii find much depending
urGn st good memory.
He took from his shelves small black
volume. blowing an accumulation OF
dust from its top.
You can take this he said: "and
here is a commentary TO aid you in your
further reading of the Bible. You would
better begin with this book, perhaps,
reading it as carefully as you can. And
if-anG if you have an English gram
mar available, and a good rhetoric
whats rhetoric?" Jed Interrupted
The minister explained.
oh" said Jed: Il reckon [ can find
enc in Phirs books. Phil was great on
that"
Relieved of the baby, he took up the
volume rendered him. 1t was The
Problem of Religious Progress" He
found. with great satisfaction, that it
would just fit into his coat pocket.
"Ill just pack that with me-" he
thought, AN when I'm workin' I'll like
ly get a chance TO look at it once in Il
while
I'm much obliged" he said, aloud;
| Tn gCin to give her try, sure and
the little minis .ers thin hand acned un-
der the genial pressure bestowed upon
it.
1t was late at night. when his work
about home was done. that he found
time, in the quiet of his bedroom, for his
first glance within the charmed black
covers of his books. He felt that he was
walking On holy ground, treading paths
which were to lead TO life and light, and,
most of all, to his mothers happiness.
He looked here and there through the
yellowing pages his hand trembling, his
heart beating fast. His dog was unused
to this, and came snufting for attention.
Look cut, Bull" said Jed: you let
me alone minute, ole feller, till l get
the hang Of this a little" a vague un-
easiness came upon him as he turned
the fiuttering leaves. 1t was half an
hour before he spoke; then:
Say, Bull, this is great" he cried.
Listen here Do you ketch on to this
and he read aloud slowly:
The Kantian philosophy, rising little
later than German rationalism, exerted
en- important and relatively ennobling
influence upon rationaEstic theology,
and upon other currents Of modern
thought Jerusalem. Bull. Hows
tLat?" The dog heaved a long sigh.
Makes 1e tired, does it?' Jed ques-
toned We'll, then, here's another:
! While the fundamental elements of
Christianity have been so fully atsested
and vindicated by the best modern
thought, and even by candid modern
skepticsm. on the other hand, radical
unbelief has demonstrated its poverty
and oowerlessness for good Lordy!
don't that give you a bellyache?" Bull
did his best to signify assent.
Another hour went swiftly by, bring
ing him a throbbing headache. The
deep-voiced old clock down stairs warn
ed him of 1870.
When he lay in bed, staring up into
the darkness, he brought his scattered
wits together.
Il reckon that amt the way to be-
| gin, skippin' round like l DONE" he
thought ''of course it amt. I'll just
| have IL go at it head first, an get it.
| / can 90 that, l reckon, if 1 can't sense
it all just yet
The next day he must cut wood, two
! miles from home. His book was III
| the ,.ocket of his coat, but he found no
time FOR it through the long morning.
At midday he ate his dinner hurriedly,
then started to find quiet spot where
he might begin his labor of conquest.
He had not got his book clear of his
pocket when a shabby dog came up To
! him, holding one forefoot helplessly in
! air, whining.
"ucEc, Sport, old boy" Jed saluted
him, for they had acquaintance with
| one another. whats the matter with
your foot?'' The beast held it higher
toward him, and he took it tenderly
| In his hands why it's broke, Sport,
! no Sa;j when ba had examined il care
fully; well have to fix il. sure, if you'll
hold still" He found some rude splints
and tore bandages from his handker
chief. When the operation was over,
he sighed. for the woodchoppers We're
| beginning their afternoons work.
At night as he drew near home, a
bit Of boy hailed him excitedly.
Say. led, Jed. Come along OF me:
Quick There's rabbit down here, in
a ole los. Co,ly. he's whopper! Bulls
got hin, in tight. an he's just a-waitin'
! for u.s.
Jed's heart rose within him. Come
! on soni' he cried. AN We'll snake hin,
out in & jffy. an you can take Inn home
an keep him. Where is he? You So
/ ahead" As he started to run, the book
4 in his pocket bumped heavily against
! his side and brought him to stand
/ still
Hold on, youngster" he cried, Il for
got. i can't go. I've got to go homie.
I've got some work to do" He turned
/ back into the road. leaving the boy
! in wendrr He laughed, as he muttered
/ aloud:
a petty sight minister of the
gospel would make, snakin' a rabbit