The mirror. (Stillwater, Minn.) 1894-1925, 1898-10-13

raised by subscription, leaving the
church but $500 in debt, which
amount would run at low interest, and
which in a growing place like their
new town the bishop thought might
be paid up in four or five years, leav.
Ing the church free. He closed by ask
ing the sense of the trustees as to the
wisdom and practicability of making
the attempt.
There was general approval of the
plan expressed by all present except
Abe, who was silent until his opinion
was directly asked by the bishop.
"Why, - it, bishop" said he, Il told
you that l knew nothing about the
church business, but 1 don't like the
plan. If you were to get money at Is
per cent per annam, which is only half
the regular banking rate, your interest
would amount to nearly $1,000 a year
or almost as much as you hope to raise
for a commencement. 1 am afraid,
bishop, you would never live long
enough to get out of debt. You want
church, and - it, why don't you
work the business as though you
believed it would pay? That is the
only way you can get up any confidence
in the scheme"
Abe sat down and the bishops heart
sank within him. With smile one OF
the other gentlemen asked Abe what
his plan for getting church would be.
81 will tell you," said Abe, 81 move
that an assessment of $1,000 be levied
upon each of the trustees, payable i'm
mediately."
1t was a startling proposition to the
bishop, who was just from the East and
who had not become accustomed to
mining ways. With faltering voice he
said:
"Mr. E., 1 fear that at present could
not raise $1,000"
"Ncver mind, bishop, we will take
yours out in preaching; but there is no
rebate for any of the rest of you. If
you are going to serve the Lord you
have got to be respectable about it.
our checks, if you please, gentlemen"
All were wealthy men, the checks
were laughingly furnished with joking
remarks that it was the first company
ever formed in the town where the Off
GERS really invested any money.
Abe took the checks, added his own
to the number, begged the bishop to
excuse him, remarking as he went out
that while he had every faith in the
others, still he was anxious to reach
the bank ir. advance of them, and start
ed uptown.
He met this man and that and de-
manded of each check for from $50
to $3.50, as he thought they could re-
spectively afford to pay.
When asked how long he would want
the money his reply was: II want it
for keeps, - it. L am building
church" In forty minutes he had the
whole sum. He took the checks to the
bank and for them received a certifi-
cate of deposit in the bishops name.
The bishop had seen him coming and
answered the summons in person.
Handing him the certificate, Abe said:
"Take that for starter, bishop. 1t
won't be enough, for a church is like
an old quartz mill. The cost always
exceeds the estimates good deal; but
60 ahead, and when you need more
money we will levy another assessment
on the Internal Sinners"
The bishop preached and prayed
over Abe's dead body three years
after; he took last, long look at Abe's
still, clearcut, splendid face as it was
composed in death. Abe never Joined
the church, and l am told that he swore
a little to the last. His part in build
ing the church was simply one of his
whims, but for years he was Provi-
dence there to scores of people. No
one knew half his acts of bountiful,
delicate charity, or in how many homes
bitter tears we're shed when he died.
But the bishop knew enough to know
and feel as he was praying over the re-
mains that while it was we'll as a mat
ter of form, it was quite unnecessary