Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1902-03-19

1ALLIA CITY. like most Ohio
O river towns, had mixed pop
7 lation full of sharp antago-
l nlsms, social, political and re-
ligious. Notwithstanding, there was
one local institution about which there
was only one mind. The Gallia City
Baseball club, the apple of the munic-
lpal eye, was felt to be set for the city's
defense against the world in general
and the nine from Centerport in par
ticular.
Centerport, few miles down the
river, was a high headed little town
given to Wanting itself unseemly and
challenging other towns to come out
and meet their doom. Worse than that,
Centerport had in hand a large stock
of doom and was liberal in applying it
over the diamond. The mutual scorn
Of Centerport and Gallia City had
something tragic in its intensity. To
beat Centerport was the summit of
Gallian achievements; Centerport lived
only to repeat its victories over the
hated foe. In both business of all sorts
was transacted rs sort of adjunct to
the larger mission In life.
Brent HARDWOOD came to Gallia City
to supply Dickson's pulpit while Dick
son, poor man, was away in hospital.
Dickson was the Presbyterian minis
ter. HARDWOOD was to live in the va
cant parsonage and take his meals over
with the Potters. Dickson had ar
ranged all that. HARDWOOD hoped he
had arranged also for some one to meet
him, but when he stepped off the boat
from Cincinnati early one Saturday
morning and looked about he found
none to welcome him.
When the dock had been deserted by
all but roustabouts and chronic loung-
ers, HARDWOOD made up his mind that
there was some hitch-his letter of an
nouncement had possibly mlscarried-
SO he walked up to an old river man in
the freighthouse and said:
II believe am to board with fam.
lily here named Potter. Do you know
of any such people?"
"Know 'em! Why, sonny, they aim,
man. woman ner child-doggone 1t
even er ornerey yaller purp ner scase
ly err flea on that purp-livin' in these
here parts that don't know! You bel
know 'em-hull family, includin' the
cat-ole chap, with b'iles on his nose
nice ole gal fer his missus, son, the gol.
alfernalest cuss in seventeen states tel
sell planners an origins, an the sons
wife, Annie, who is jest err great bis
hunk o the salt O. the earth. Say
what dye want with 'em? Be We one
o. them drummer chaps tryin' ter sell
Pot some more goodsW
HARDWOOD shook his head. GIVE come
to spend the summer here" he said
II shall take my meals with the Pot.
tiers and live at the parsonage"
"Why, it's shet up! Dickson's gone
ter New York ter have some big doctor
cut him open an right him up inside"
the river man said.
II did hear thar was a-say, young
fellow, you amt the new preacher
that's comin'?"
II am going to try and preach" Har
wood said modestly. "My name is
HARDWOOD"
Brother HARDWOOD" faltered the r!v
er man, femme beg your pardon the
durndest worst way. l had no idee-
you don't look like parson, you don't
dress like a parson, you didn't let on
you wus parson-how in tunkit was Q
fellow to know? hope you'll fergit
called you sonny. If you will, by grab
you can lick me if don't come tc
church-not next Sunday, but some
time before you CO."
"That's bargain" HARDWOOD said
shaking hands before he made his way
to breakfast at the hotel.
Upon his second Monday morning in
Gallia City HARDWOOD strolled down to
Stevenson Potter's music store. Ste.