Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1899-10-26
his steps always provokes astonishment
as at the sight of something very I'M


Nazareth Avenue church parted from
Its pastor with regret for the most part,
although the regret was modified by
come relief on the part of those who had
refused to take the pledge. Dr. Bruce
carried with him the respect of men
who, entangled in business in such q
way that obedience to the pledge would
have ruined them, still held in their
deeper, better natures genuine admira-
ton for courage and consistency. They
had known DR.. Bruce many years as a
kindly, safe man, but the thought Of
him in the light of sacrifice of this sort
was not familiar to them. AS fast as
they understood it they gave their pas
tor the credit of being absolutely true
to his recent convictions as to what fol-
lowing Jesus meant. Nazareth Avenue
church has never lost the impulse Of
that movement started by DIR. Bruce.
Those who went with him in making
the promise breathed into the church
the very breath of divine life and are
continuing that life giving work at the
present time.
1t was fall again, and the city faced
another hard winter. The bishop one
afternoon came out of the settlement
and walked around the block, intending
to go on visit to one of his new friends
in the district He had walked about
four blocks when he was attracted bv !.
shop that looked different from the 9TH
ers The neiphborbood wos s+;ll on;+s
new to the bishop, and every day he
discovered some strange SPOT or STUN.
bled upon some unexpected humanity
The place that attracted his notice
was O small house close by Chinese
laundry. There were two windows in
the front, very clean, and that was re.
markable, to begin with. Then inside
the window wao a tempting DISPLAY Of,
cookery, with prices attached 10 the
various articles. that mada the hisbo,,
wonder somewhat for he was familiar
by this time with many facts in the
life Of the people once unknown to him.
AS he stood looking at the windows
the door between them opened, and Fe.
icia Sterling came out.
"Felicial" said the bishop. tWhen
did you move into my parish without
my knowledge2"
Elbow did you find me go soon ?"
asked Felicia.
''Why, don't you know3 These are
the only clean windows in the block. "
81 believe they are replied Felicia,
with laugh that did the bishop good
to hear. .5....
ssBut WHY have Won dared To come ~
Chicago without telling mo and INV
have You entered my diocese withons
nv knowledge?'' asked the b;sbon ana
Felicia looked so like that beartifnl.
clean, educated, refined world he once
knew that he might be pardoned for.
seeing in her something of the old para
disc. although, to speak truth for the
bishop. he had no desire to go bac,, 70
it,again.
s.Well. dear bishop.,' said Fe,icia.
who he'd always called him so when-
ever they had met. 81 l-now how over
whelmed YOU were with yopr work
did not want to burden YOU with nv
plans and. besides / am soino To offer
you my services. Indeed was lust ON
my way to seq you and ask your advice.
I am settled here for the present with
Mrs. Bascom, a saleswoman who rents
our three rooms, and with one of Ra-
chefs music pupils. who is being helped
to course in violin by Virginia Page.
She is from the people" continued Fe-
licia. using the words '.from the peo-
pie" 80 gravely and unconsciously that
the bishop smiled. land 1 am keeping
house for her and at the same time be-
ginning an experiment in pure food for
the masses. am an expert, and have
plan I want you to admire and de-
yelop. Will you, dear bishop9"
"Indeed will, replied the bishop.
The sight of Felicia and her remarkable
vitality, enthusiasm and evident pur-
pose almost bewildered him.
Martha can help at the settlement
with her violin, and I will help with
my messes. You see, I thought I would
get settled first and work out something
and then come with some real thing to
offer. I'm able to earn my own living
now"
you are9" The bishop said it lit
file incredu1ouslv. uHow Mob;no. tl,osa