The daily chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Ind. Ter. [Okla.]) 1898-1902, 1899-02-14

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SCI, became SO interested in the pros
pective race that she paid visit to her
fathers lawyer and asked him, ION be-
half of young friend of hers, II win
n,r in a case like this could insist upor
the delivery of the prize; or, failing
that recover damages for breach Of the
contract implied. On behalf of her
young friend she appeared TO take It
very much TO heart whea the old man
of the law replied, curtly:
Madame, all lotteries are Illegal"
Well, about the lottery itself. 1t all
came about in this way:
The Church of St. Stephen. had been
for very long time badly in need of
renovation and repairs. 1t was an old
church-one Of the oldestin the state;
its seating accommodation was of az
antiquated type, alike slightly and
uncomfortable; the Old gallery, run
ming around three sides of the interior,
was likewise an eyesore; it was never
occupied, and it cried aloud for re-
moval; the communion table was rick
ETY.; the pulpit steps creaked, the read
ing desk reeled and tottered a a touch
of the hand; the heating apparatus was
worn out; the chimes no longer chimed,
for the bells were cracked; the organ
wheezed and hiccoughed in manner
scandalous to such a place; and bats
and owls held reves 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, each according to
his means, to the rehabilitation of the
house of prayer; nor yet, again, was it
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 Imore than 200 years ago "dedi-
Gated TO the worship and glory Of God
forever"), 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 dope, and done
quickly.
From a 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 it was that the venerab bic o.d
rector, Rev. lgnatius Montgomery, be-
stirred himself, and issued an earnest
appeal TO his congregation to con-
tribute literally towards the restora-
tion of ST. Stephens. And he headed
The subscription list with the donation
of $1,000.
Checks and currency poured into the
bank towards the fund at such rate
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 sum of
81 600 to be made good.
In order to raise this amount, it was
to hold a 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
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
novel idea, to strike out an original
line, Of thought or action
which has never been trayersed before.
"A "a Me- Edith found Il In her |