Willmar tribune. [volume] (Willmar, Minn.) 1895-1931, 1901-01-30
MALCOM KIRK.
l Tale of Moral Heroism In ()vercomino The World
Observation-Disclosures Illustrations by Herman
CHAPTER I.
BY CHARLES M. SHELDON
Ao'n0r OF In His Steps" raeazion Philip Strong
Hardy's Seven Dam"
COPYRIGHT. 1900. By THE ADVANCE PUBLISHING 90,

CHAPTER 1.
The senior class in the theological
seminary at Hermon had just had it's
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
Int, 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
ders.
"1'm sure we don't feel very pleas
ant. l mean. we are not pleased to
think this is almost the last time we
shall be together as a Glass;" said a
tall. delicate, pale faced man who was
standing up at the top of the steps
with his back against the door.
He spoke in 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
ture prospects of the class. The red
faced. jolly looking young man In the
center was going to take church in
northern Vermont. The man just be-
hind him had received a call as assist
ant pastor Of an institutional church in
Philadelphia. The delicate featured
student up by the chapel door was 60
ing to teach school a year and find a
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. A stranger carelessly
walking by would have instantly judy
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. a rather large mouth,
the lips of which. however, were firm
and full Of character, high cheek bones
and an unusually high forehead. His
arms and legs were very long, and his
general attitude, as he sat on the edge
of the steps, was almost strikingly
awkward.
Heres Kirk; hasn't said word
yet" cried the little man who had
first spoken. "What are you going to
do, Kirk?"
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 doY' there was no disrespect in the
smile, and on every mans face was
q 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
~ interest that was affectionate and
gentle.
II don't know. am waiting for a
call. I've had one and accepted it, but
l need another before l can go to
work."
Everybody stared. The man up by
the chapel door had q look in his eye
as If he understood what Kirk meant,
but no one else seemed to catch his
meaning. fs r.
my first call was from the Lord,
several years ago. feel perfectly sat
isfied 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" a@
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 Malcom Kirk.
II don't see," said the man who was
to be the assistant pastor Of the insti-
tutional church in Philadelphia, why
Kirk hasn't had q call to q large
church. We all know he has more
brains than all the rest Of us put to.
gether. I think 1t is q shame the
churches should pass by such 2 man
and U.s.: 81 2sf.s .5. 5s..#.
It's easy enough to see the reason"
Kirk spoke without the shadow OF any
irritation In his manner. You fellows
know as well as I do that brains under
! hair like mine don't count with the
average city congregation" He laugh
led good naturally, and the class Joined
him. Then some one said: b 5x}ts
why don't you dye It black, Kirk
Il can't afford to- he replied grave
". .9That isn't the only reason ] DOM
get call. I'm too awkward IN the
pulpit. Did i tell anybody the last
time j preached in the Third church q
Concord knocked q vase Of flowers
on the pulpit with my elbow. and when
4 1T fell on the floor 1t walked up every
# officer In the church OF course Isnev
@Ier could expect to get q call from that
{ church. =
5 Everybody laughed, and Kirk drew
Ione OF his feet up under him and smiled
& . little. At the same time no onescould
] detect q trace Of III humor or lack q
]. seriousness III his tone or manner. Thu
& hTst impression Malcom = Kirk mad a
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