Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1899-02-02

Oh lne nand; the heating apparatus was
worn out; the chimes no longer chimed
for the bells were cracked; the organ
| wheezed and hiccoughed in a manner
scandaIous to such a place; and bats
| and owls held revels in these sacred
precincts.
This shocking state of affairs was not
| due to any poverty in the congrega-
ton, nor to any unwillingness on their
| part TO contribute, seach according to
| his means, to the rehabilitation of the
house of prayer; nor yet, again, was ii
due to any Indifference on the part OF
the rector.
The truth is that, with pastor and
congregation alike, such was their love
and reverence for the ancient struc-
ture (more than 200 years ago "dedi-
Gated to the worship and glory of God
forever'0, that they were 10th to lay
impious hands upon masonry and wood
work that age and usage had conse-
Grated. But at last from Heaven itself
there came peremptory mandate that
something should be done, and done
quickly.
From clear sky one autumn day
there shot a thunderbolt which struck
the spire and sent it down into the
nave below, leaving the proud and
noble pile a pitiable wreck, to pious
eyes pathetic.
Then 1t was that the venerable old
rector, Rev. Ignatius Montgomery, be-
stirred himself, and issued an earnest
appeal to his congregation to con-
tribute literally towards the restora-
- n
the subscription list with the donation
of $1,000.
Checks and currency poured into the
bank towards the fund at such a rate
IS to warrant the rector in proceeding
Immediately with the restoration and
general renovation of the church. For
many weeks carpenters, masons, dec
orators and nondescript workmen were
in absolute possession of the edifice.
The structural alterations and repairs,
new seats, communion table, reading
desk, pulpit, lectern, organ, east win
dow and reredos, together with the in
terror decorations, cost in the neigh
borhood of $4,000.
The voluntary subscriptions were
$4,000; and when the whole work was
completed there remained n sum of
$4,000 to be made good.
In order to raise this amount it was
proposed to hold church fair; and all
the ladies connected with the church
went to work making fancy articles or
begged them from the merchants of the
town.
All that was required of the gentle
men of the congregation and of the city
in general was that they should pur-
chase these things when the fair
opened.
One young lady. Miss Edith Wynne,
was most untiring in her efforts to pro-
mote the success of the fair. She not
only employed her deft and dainty fin
gers in the production of articles of
beauty and usefulness, but used her
persuasive tongue to such advantage
amongst the storekeepers that she
levied the greatest tribute of any of her
coworkers. But, not content with this,
she busted her nimble brain to concoct
some scheme which should be unique
and effective in arousing the utmost
possible interest in the fair.
1t is always difficult, within the
bounds of good taste, to originate a
novel idea, to strike out an original
path-some line of thought or action
which has never been traversed before.
And so Miss Edith found it. In her
dilemma she appealed to Mr.. Woodruff.
George she said-for by virtue of
long and affectionate friendship, albeit
devoid of sentiment, they called each
other by their Christian names
George, can't you suggest something
something that will attract the peo-
pie and bring us in lot of money!"
Don't know, Edith! l am bad hand
at originating anything. But | would
like to help you. Give me p hours to
think it over"
And the next day he came to her with
the startling proposition that she
should "raffle him off," tickets one dol
lar each. only to be sold to the ladies of
the congregation. and the holder of the |
winning number to take the prize.
What Il prize, George!" Edith ex-
claimed. with 4 touch of sarcasm in her |
tone Then she bit her lip, turned !
round to straighten the window shade, |
recovered her natural color, and, once |
more facing Mr.. Woodruff. asked in a |
tone OF languid interest:
How do you mean? That yon |
should be the winners knight errant'
for the winter? 1 think have heard of |
such things 1t is not strictly orig |
inal. sir"
"No-that l should marry the girl
''But suppose the girl objected"
Impossible. She would not buy
ticket unless she wanted to take the
prize"
"Oh, 1 see. But you forget was
wanting something by which we should
make money. as well as create excite
ment. Do you think there would be
many-'girls.' George,
who would care to risk dollar on the
chance of winning such a-such a
price,
MY dear Edith. my vanity is such
that l would guarantee a subscription
list of 100 tickets al dollar each. But
| should propose to have a voice in the
disposition of the tickets. l should
want to pass judgment upon all appli-
cations for them, and have the power to
allot only as many as 1 chose to each APP
plicant. How say you?"
"Oh, we'll! You have proposed the
thing. I am sure it is very kind of you.
It would be novelty, certainly. But
you would not expect me to have any
active part in the lottery. would you
hat is, to sell tickets?''
why not?'
'.Oh. l don't know; but it would hard