The Honolulu republican. [volume] (Honolulu, T.H.) 1900-1902, 1901-11-24
Marvin S Conversion

By WINTHROP ALLEN.

20 fall Preachers before you, every
one Of us-father, grandfather and
greatgrandfather: and you, my only
son. fail me-utterly."
Arthur answered him There was
no appeal In that voice. he squared
his shoulders and his voice rang out
I more convincingly than from the pull
pit.
1t is not ny fault, father. II yos
{ had spent one-half the money you put
Z into ny theological course on making
an engineer OF ne. / would have been
I a credit 70 you But nOw-we0, / did
{ my best 10 please you. but the work IS
not for me. nor in me-
His father stepped 20 the study and
returned with a letter bearing the note
/ head OF the seminary from which Ar
I thur had Just been graduated Arthur
read IL and handed il back 10 his
I father. his face turning ashen gray
Il will not call Dr. Crawford a spy
or an informer. IL was probably his
duty. or part OF IL. TO keep you in
formed as 70 my movements; but he
! might have gone further. He might
have said that every recitation miss
ed was made up-that every absence
/ could have been accounted for in the
/ Office OF an expert engineer; that my
visits in the slums were for the pur-
! pose Of studying the real condition OF
/ the lowest and most slayish working
! classes. As for heretical speeches.
( wish / had made more Of them. /
1 wish 7 could have dragged every one
OF those students away from their
books 10 men. 10 the lives into which
they were expected to bring relief and
comfort"
Pastor Marvin stood with livid face,
the letter crumpled and moist in his
hand. and the voice Of his son swept
onward:
Now that we are at the root Of this
matter. let's speak the truth. I'd rather
give men a chance to live here than 10
assure them of safety in the life 10
come. How can they prepare for fu-
ure existence amid conditions so de
grading How can they serve the God
| preach when they are starving that
some man may accumulate wealth?
Pastor Marvin swayed and clutched
chair-back And this was the son OF
a preacher whose
How can / look TO these people Tor
financial support when / know that
every dollar they pay into the church
is earned at the risk of their lives
, tell YOU I'd rather invent some means
for neutralizing fredamp, of lessening
the chances of explosion, than TO tell
these people TO accept priyauon and
D. death as dispensations Of Providence
And there was no other way 10 con
Z Vince you that was not meant Tor the
work than just what l did today-tc
b let you see for yourself that | was Q
t failure-a dead failure!
; And you flaunt it in my face. You
! boast that you were failure-and
, the witness of your disgrace. You are
I no son OF a Marvin. | have done my
, best for you, but you will not see the
/ light
, His hand pointed to the door. And
, Arthur understood.
Night was settling down on Wymore
Gap when Lucy tapped on Arthur'S
door. He sat at his window, watching
the tiny lanterns OF the night shift
, twinkling ever nearer and nearer Il
! the yawning holes in the mountain
side. His grip, packed with his few
, belongings. lay open upon the bed
I Lucy crept softly to his side, and he
arms slipped around his neck.
l. Arthur. dear. you're not going? Oh
= he will feel differently tomorrow. l
L is only his family pride that is hurt
: And YOU will break his heart and mine
: Arthur. dearest, you will stay-Jus
!, one more day."
"No. | would be a thorn in hi
J flesh l tried to make him see thi
q wears ago. Lucy. but he was obdurate
4 He would not listen TO my side"
But what am l TO do withou
D youg I have waited so long-thre'
+ long years: think-and-I-love yo'
/ So"
: Gently he took her hands in his ant
|, drew her close.
: Just little longer. Lucy. You mus
! stay here until he understands.
5 Could not rob him OF his all; an'
{ some day We will be together with M
{ consent. Now-well. he does not wis,
YOU even 70 see me.
! For an instant the girls spirit ross
in rebellion Then she looked into th'
! calm. clear eyes of'the man who love-
her and vet for that love would no
break his word. and brave smile
came to her lips
The next morning John Seeger. su
I I periutendent OF the Cross Cut Com
, panys mines. glanced up from hi:
, desk 10 face Arthur Marvin He ha'
I heard OF the scene at Zion Church
and he wondered If the young fellow
was ready 10 start anew in an humble
! way. perhaps by asking the privileg'
] of holding noon PRAYER meetings In th'
r . works
What can ! do for you. Mr.. Mar
+ win" he inquired. politely.
You can give me 3 job. Mr.. Seeger.
The superintendent whistled softll
and leaned back in his chair. Their
he surveyed the visitor rather super
ciliouSly.
We'll. really, Mr.. Marvin. dom
believe l can accommodate you, FOL
everything in the office is filledi oul
il there's a clerkship open within
Thank you: but prefer the mines
II there's any chance in No. 4. I'd Ike
10 be with Caughey."
= Superintendent Seeger almost WINS
tied again: then he drew himself VI
stiffly. as becomes one Of his position
when dealing with common miner.
I think the matter can be arrangea
/. Good morning