The Montgomery tribune. (Montgomery City, Mo.) 1892-1910, 1902-07-18
His grasptightcned.

He went home wondering what he
could do in the way Of serving tho
church.
A painter had been engaged from o
neighboring town TO give the church
n new coat of drab paint with somberi
dccorous brown trimmings. The
money for this improvement had been
raised by the members of the "Wom'
ans Circle" each contributing q dol
lar that had been earned in some
unique way. a social was given for
the purpose of listening to the ex-
pcriences and eating ice rcam and
cakc. After paying for these refresh
ments it was found that the fund was
not quite sufficient TO make the pay
ment to the painter which had been
agreed upon.
twill manage that part" said Mrs.
Lane, loftily.
She forthwith explained the situa-
ton TO the painter, ending with an
cxhortation in which she urged him
to donate the shortage to the cause
Of the Lord.
The painter demonstrated, offering
the argument that business wa. busi-
ness at mill and meeting: but Mrs.
Lane stood pat to her convictions.
you'll take this or nothing" she
dccrced.
"Thcn I'll take this" replied the
painter. shortly, %pocketing the
amount she rendered.
When she had gone her way he re-
licvcd his mind by the expression Of
certain inaudiblc imprccations.
"lt's u chilling day." he muttcrcd,
"when J. Henry Swain gets beat by
a Woman's Circle. That old gal
didn't tumble to the fact that the
stccplc lacks a second coat. I'll just
leave il Imprinted. and won't take
down the scafrolding nor the old
paint pail and brush. A. o o as it's
dark I'll light out and take my lad
der with me. I'll bet there amt an
other in this burned old town that's
long enough to reach up there. III
they want my services bud enough
to turn over the balance due me
they'll know where to find me-"
j. Henry Swain carried out his
rcycngcful threat, and dire was the
CONSERVATION in Carydon Corners
when the villagers bchcld their
beautifully painted church sur
mounted by the dingy dull steeplc,
looming darkly and forbiddingly-a
blot upon the COMMUNICATIVE tho
d~isgraccful accessories OF scaiIolding,
pail and brush.
No, having the painter TO call ia
account, they selected Mrs. Lane foi
their object of rcproach. She was
given to understand that ii was all
her fault, aud that until the stccplC
matched the church in color and wa
stripped Of It's worldly adornmcnt'
she would be in a very bad odor in
the Woman Circle.
Poor Mrs. Lane was distracted. j
Henry SWANS surmiso rs to the re.
sources in ladders of Carydon Corners
were correct. No M could be- found
who would venture TO reach the rooI
Of the church aud trust his weight
to that shackly .cairolding. She de.
termincd to send away and procure
a paintcr-not j. Henry Swain, bui
anothcr-at her own expense. Alas
She knew not where to send.
II will 20 and see Dick. Hell
know where to find one" said hci
daughter.
Ellie came to her lover and OK
planned the state OF affairs. "Thel
are all blaming it on mother" sh'
concluded.
Its up to your mother all RICH.
to see that the job i, finished" h,
said. swell, III see if | can hear o
anybody in the paint business"
| Ellie was yi.ibly disappointed a
the lukewarm interest displayed b.
/; Dick.
"Are you going to town to-mor
| row TO see the circus, EMey"
"No; ! was going, but mother feel