Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1900-06-26
CHAPTER L.

picture taken by the photographer, and
the members were still grouped about
the steps Of the chapel.
There's one thing the photographer
forgot" said short, red faced man
who sat in the middle of the group.
He didn't think to say, Look pleas
ant, now, If you please"
He didn't need to. We all look so,
anyhow" The man who spoke sat
Immediately behind the first speaker
and had his hands on the others shout
Sders.
.I'm sure we don't feel very pleas
ant. mean, we are not pleased to
think this is almost the last time we
shall be together as class" said
tall, delicate, pale faced man who was
standing up at the top Of the steps.
with his back against the door,
He spoke in a quiet, low voice, and
there was hush after he spoke There
is as much sentiment among theologic-
al students as among any average
number of professional men. In some
directions there is more than among
the like number of law or medical stu
dents.
After moment Of silence some one
began to ask questions about the flu
ture prospects of the class. The red
faced. jolly looking young man In the
center was going to take a church in
northern Vermont. The man Just be-
hind him had received call as assist
ant pastor of an institutional church in
Philadelphia. The delicate featured
student up By the chapel door was GO
ing to teach school a year and find
church as soon as he had paid off his
college debts.
Every member of the class had spo-
ken Of his prospects except one. This
one sat on the extreme edge Of the
group, as if he had purposely chosen
to be as inconspicuous as possible in
the picture. stranger carelessIy
walking by would have instantly, judg.-
ed him to be the homeliest, least in
teresting man in the class He had
dull brown hair, very heavy and stiff,
pale blue eyes, rather large mouth,
the lips OF which, however, were firm
and full of character, high cheek bones
and an unusually high forehead. His
lrms and legs were very long, and ibis
general attitude, as he sat on the edge
of the steps, was almost strikingly
awkward.
Here's Kirk; hasn't said a word
yet" cried the little man who had
first spoken. "What are you going to
do, Kirk 2"
Every member Of the class turned
and looked at the figure sitting on the
edge of the group. 1t was noticeable
that while several of the class smiled
at the question, what are you going
to do?" there was no disrespect in the
smile, and on every mans face was
a look Of real interest, amounting to
an excited curiosity.
Malcolm Kirk smiled slightly as he
looked up. He did not look at any
member of the class in particular, but
seemed to include them all in friend
ly interest that was affectionate and
gentle.
: II don't know. am waiting for
call. I've had one and accepted it, but
l need another before 1 can go to
work.
Everybody stared, The man up by.
the chapel door had look in his eve
as il he understood what Kirk meant,
but no one else seemed to catch his
meaning.
My first call was from the Lord,
several years ago. feel perfectly sat
listed with it. He wants me to preach.
But SO far none Of the churches seems
to agree with him. At least none of
them has asked me to preach. SO I'm
waiting for my second call"
He spoke without the least touch OF
irreverence or even humor. The i'm
preston made on the class was feel
ing Of honest perplexity concerning the
future prospects of Malcolm Kirk.
u don't see" said the man who was
to be the assistant pastor of the insti-
tutional church in Philadelphia, "why
J Kirk hasn't had call to large
church. We all know he has more
brains than all the rest of us put to-
gether. think 1t is a shame the
churches should pass by such a man
and"- ~
rs easy enough to see the reason"
Kirk spoke without the shadow Of any
Irritation in his manner 'sYou fellows
know as well as do that brains under
hair like mine don't count with the
average city congregation" He laugh
ed good naturally, and the class Joined
him. Then some one said:
"Why don't you dye it black, Kirk?'
Il can't afford to-" he replied grave
iy. "That isn't the only reason don't
get call. I'm too awkward in the
pulpit. Did tell anybody the last
time / preached in the Third church at
Concord knocked a vase of flowers
off the pulpit with my elbow, and when
st fell on the floor it waked}up every
officer in the church? OF course /, new
er could expect to get call from that
church
1 Everybody LAUGHED. and Kirk drew
t-li- 7 ( u. ~