Mower County transcript., 1902-12-10
CHAPTER I.

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.
"Theres 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
ant, 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 shoul-
ders.
I'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
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 a moment of silence some one
began to ask questions about the fu-
ture prospects Of the class. The red
faced. jolly looking young man In the
center was going to take a church in
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 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 judg.
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, 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.
"Here's Kirk; hasn't said a 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 do" there was no disrespect in the
smile, and on every mans face was
a look Of real interest, amounting to
an excited curiosity.
N1alcom 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 a friend
ly interest that was affectionate and
gentle.
~ don't know. am waiting for a
call. I've had one and accepted it, but
I need another before I can 90 to
work."
Everybody stared. The man up by
the chapel door had look in his eye
as If he understood what Kirk meant,
but no one else seemed to catch his
meaning.
my first call was from the Lord,
several years ago. feel perfectly sat-
isf1ed 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"
He spoke without. the least touch OF
.1rreverence or even humor. The i'm.
preston made on the class was a feel.
ing Of honest iperplexity concerning the
future prospects Of Malcom Kirk.
Il 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 a call to a large
church. We all know he has more
brains than all the rest of us put to.
gether. l think 1t is shame the
churches should pass by such a man
%and"-| -
"1t's easy enough to see the reason"
Kirk spoke without the shadow of any
irritation in his manner. ''You fellows
know as well as do that brains under
hair like mine don't count with the
average city congregation" He laugh.
ed good naturedly, and the class Joined
him. Then some one said: 2jE'!El = {
"Why don't you dye it black. Kirk p
! II can't afford TO" he replied grave.
ly. "That isn't the only reason1 don't
get call. I'm too awkward in the
pulpit Did I tell anybody the last
time preached in the Third church at
Concord knocked a vase of flowers
off the pulpit with my elbow, and when
lit fell on the floor it walked up every
officer in the church? OF course new
er could expect to get call from that
church." ''-s:f - !
Everybody laughed, and Kirk drew
one Of his feet up under him and smiled
a little. At the same time no one cOnl1