Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1901-03-20


There were very few out that evening.
A great storm grew with the night,
Ind in the morning all Champion. with
It's setting of pine covered hills, was
leep in the snow that swept past Rhe-
mas windows in drifted pillows high
up against the old storage room door.
That afternoon Stuart came down
through the drifts to meet with An
drew and Eric, as the three had agreed,
to talk over the matter Of relief for the
miners and also to arrange for some
thing more permanent than plan Of
local relief for the immediate distress
Of Champion. Eric managed to get
through the snow and insisted that the
did him good. Andrew well
coined them in his hearty fashion md
began to talk roses the first thing.
"Look at that! If that isn't a beauty,
I don't know what 1t is. Just let me
out that for you, Mr.. Duncan"
II won't take it-not with the mis-
ter You have forgotten the bargain"
replied Stuart, smiling.
Andrew looked little confused, then
he said! 81 did not know how vassall
here might take it. He is q prior at
tachment."
"Eric." said Stuart, laying n hand on
his old friends shoulder, do you OBJ
ject IL Burke here calls me Stuart and
l call him Andrew? 1t seems absurd
that when q man saves another mans
life he should continue on such terms
of formality as are used by ordinary
acQuaintances.'
MY name is Eric, them" replied Eric
frankly. He was man of many
faults, but littleness Of soul and petty
jealousy were not among them.
.sThat settles it, then. It's to be An
drew, Eric and Stuart to the end Of the
chapter" assented Stuart eagerly. He
was enthusiastic this afternoon. He
had begun to be caught up in the pas
sion of a great idea, and he felt able to
do almost anything. 1t is true that,
woven into all his thoughts of conse-
Grated money and Its wonderful pow
err, there was in Stuart the glowing i'm
age of Rhena Dwight, and his love for
her was growing in strength and mean
ing every moment. He had not seen
her to speak to since that night in the
army hall. But he did not know how
strong a hold his feeling had upon his
whole being until now, as lie began to
face great opportunity, perhaps the
greatest in his life. the slight form and
pale face of the Salvation Army leader
seemed to occupy very prominent
place there.
Andrew was cutting Off two Of the
choicest roses. He gave one to Stuart
and one to Eric.
Say. 1t seems too bad to cut 'em of
the plants that way" said Eric as he
took the blossom and stuck 1t awk-
wardly into a buttonhole.
That's what grow them for" re-
piled Andrew.
Flows your church work going on y
asked Stuart, pulling himself out Of his
brown study after thanking Andrew
for the rose.
ooh. don't know yet. I'm slow to
get acquainted, and this is new field
to mo. If can succeed in making
the people believe they like me. think
we shall have good time together.
never saw SO many characters MS
there are up here"
do you count Us in?" askel Eric.
you're the very first ones. II
knew how, I'll put you two into q
book
Anybody clse:" asked Stuart.
cdr saxon-that is, If he would stand
still long enough to be put"
Eyes, the doctor would have to 60
in sure" replied Eric. ais that all?'
1.-THE Salvation Army would have to
come in. led by Miss Dwight" replied
Andrew. ..Then would throw In some
specimen miners and mix them up in
various situations. and my hook would
be very interesting-that Is. 1t would
II didn't mix them up so that they
never could get unmixed." added An,
drew frankly. 81 never wrote book
in my life. hut believe Champion is
full Of material for it,
Perhaps some one will put us into
a story some time" said Stuart con
templativcly. meanwhile. my deal
friends. to the realities of our present
conditions. Every man could probably
write one good story If lie had to-. A,
my rate, we live n story III our owl
lives and I am beginning to learn that
every human being Is tragedy-f
possible one. mean. Since became
a Christian"-stuart spoke with dig
Unity that could be called nothing les.
than revercntlal-.I see now world
/ understand Paul's statement: IF any
man be in Christ, he Is a new creature
Old things have passed away. Be
hold. all things are become new! Ant
among them MI nothing is so new IL
me as human bc.nss."
"They seem pretty old and common
place to, mo sometimes" said Eric
"But believe know what you mean
II don't believe, you do wholly. Blu
| I'll let you think you do. Now. we art
going 10 see If three men Of brains ant
willingness. with IN interest in human
ity, can do anything to help solve som.
of the questions that have been thrus
Into some of our own lives. First. say
there IS the money part CT It."
Stuart paused, and Andrew looked
thoughtfully over at him. All three
men were now at point where thu
conversation and their object in confer
ring together had shut out everyth!n,
but the most intense and absorbing In
terest.
Well" said Eric at last, with hi
usual bluntncss. you're the only on
that has any money. It's for you t,
say what can be done on that line"
".As near rs can figure out" con
tinued Stuart as II he had not heari
Eric. '.the property left hy father Il
worth In the neighborhood Of $4,000.
900. Half Of 1t is in the mines ant
their equipment. Father had full con
troll Of the property ut his death ant
practically operated the mines ms til,
company. You know. Eric. how fathe
managed. While the other ranges wen
into the hands Of stockholders, leavIn,
a few men in control with surplus O
l 3D. g. Az.