Chicago eagle. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1889-19??, 1901-06-01
CHAPTER Xxn.-,Continued.,

CHAPTER XX11.-(ContinuedJ
Rapidly then the throng increased. The
occasion was one that never failed to
bring ont not only the congregation but
practically every person able to come
from miles around, and from each OF the
three convergcnt roads came dusty equcs-
TRANS and crowded carry -alls, dcnrborns,
wagons and buggics almost In process
sional form. until the available space UNI
der the grove and In the forest belt Hank
Ing IL was filled, and saddle horses were
hitched all along two sides Of the grave
yard fence beyond. Stalwart men, plump.
smiling matrons, irrepressible boys and
pretty girls. roscate with health and
sparkling with gentle excitement, throng-
ed the scene; kindly greetings, CHEEKY sal
utations, the jingle of harness and the
neighing of horses stirred the lazy echoes;
the air was full of the fresh smell of
tramplcd grass and the perfume of apple
blossoms aud punches of hclotropc car
ried by the girls.
Mrs. Cameron and Mary Elder came In
buggy. with John and Uncle David rid
ing on horseback alongside. Some dark
looks were directed toward the young
man by the most ill.conditioncd of the
Mulveil faction, but among the sensible
majority the old fcud was becoming un-
popular. and whatever feeling against
him existed was personal, Oh Constable
Simeon's account, because of the mis-
conception of fact truthfully reported to
him by Uncle David. Each scOwling
face he met, however, was Offset by
score glowing with smiles of unfeigned
pleasure at his return, and so many
hands claspcd his in hearty welcome that,
though his eyes and lctty's met, he could
not manage to get near her before the
bell rang sunlmoning all to divine SER
vice.
The Rev. Mr.. Mc1.cod's morning SER
mon-rathcr shorter than usual and ap.
propriute to the occasion-was followed
by the simple but impressive ceremonial
In commemoration Of the Last Supper.
Before the pulpit stood a long, narrow
table. drapcd with snowy linen cloth,
upon which rested a great chalcc and u
broad plate, both OF solid silver and an
tiquc form, each covered by n white nap
kin. Plain benches extended along the
sides OF the table.
While the whole nsscmblagc Joined In
singing the Twcnty-fourth Psalm, mem.
bers Of the congregation arose from their
places In the pcws and went forward to
the table until the benches were filed.
After a short prayer In conservation of
the elements, the minister uncovered the
eucharistic vessels and, himself first par.
taking of the bread piled upon the plate
and touching his lips to the wine In the
cup, passed them successfully 20 the dca-
cons, who carried them alexv the lines
OF the communicates, presenting them IN
turn to each.
by thcit understanding and established
custom, the older members OF the congre.
cation occupied scats ut the first table.
Side by side among them, at this time,
sat Mrs. Cameron and Mrs. Mulveil.
Their hands touched In taking the conse.
Grated bread; their eyes met, and they
smiled kindly upon each other; for with
the sud'lenness Of the lightning's fash
the solemn rite thrilled In their hearts u
common chord. How many years they
had sat together ut the Lords table. side
by side with the dear ones long since
gone to the farther shore! How few
times more, mt most, might they hope TO
meet here, ere they too would be sum.
moncd to cross the dark river! Were they
not sisters In atilictiOn--sisters In love and
Christian hope?
Though there were many present who
had not yet formally united themselves
10 the congregation by profession of faith.
and who consequently did not partake of
the communion, enough members present.
ed themselves to ill the tables second
and n third time.
While the second table was being fill
ed, a latecOmer, u large, heavy man,
roughly clad and wearing great beard,
entered the church. He came In ut the
backs OF the congregation, while all were
intent upon the ceremony In front, sank
quietly into Il seat by the door and alto.
gether escaped observation. Near the
end Of the services he glidcd out and
disappeared.
According to immemorial custom, there
We're two long services In the observance
of communion Sabbath. The first was
devoted TO tho commemorative rite, al
ready outlined. but the second had no
distinctive or peculiar features, being
merely according to the routine followed
upon other Sundays. except that perhnps
the sermon was little longer than us.
ual. Between the two there was neces.
sarily 'reccss," OF from one to two
hours, for rest and refreshment. Dur.
Ing that time, the vicinity OF the church
presented the unique spectacle OF a pious
picnic. Each family brought along an
ample store Of substantial cold prOvis-
Ions and toOthsome delicacies, which
were appetizingy offered upon table.
cloths spread on the grass, or, less osten-
tatiOnsly but perhaps us satisfactorily,
devoured by handouts from baskets In
the wagons and around the spring. There
was always more than enough for all,
and persons who came ON hOrscback-
AMI consequently without any commits
sary department of their own-were wei
come anywhere and everywhere. 1t was
observable that the families having the
prcttiest girls were most called upon for
hospitality by the equestrans, who were
generally young men and bachelors.
When the morning service ended, I'm.
Gle David Henderson had some difficulty
In keeping John Cameron at his side I'M
I'll the Rev. Mr.. Mcleod came to them,
and, after cordial greeting. led the way
into the graveyard as the most convenient
place for an uninterrupted private CON
versaiion. There, laying his hand upon
the young mans shoulder, the minister
said:
II told Uncle David, the day before
yesterday, that ! wanted you brought
home Mt once. But ] did not tell him
why. The pleasure of that ! reserved
for myself. In the first place, ] want to
mention to you that ! have recovered
my watch"
"Your watch!"
Eyes. The one You found on the Dew
us Backbone was mine. And the spoons
that We're with it have been restored to