Audubon County journal. (Exira, Iowa) 1884-1993, 1903-02-19

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| w fancy I had something to do
D"@-S myself. The call came from
lGEGy young congregation in an
eastern city and was based partly upon
his college record and more upon the
advice of those among the authorities
who knew his work in the mountains.
But l tlatter myself that my letters to
friends who We're Of Importance in that
congregation We're not without influ-
ence, for l was of the mind that the
man who could handle Black Rock
miners as he could was ready for some
thing larger than a mountain mission.
That he would refuse l had not i'm
agined, though l ought to have known
him better. He was but little troubled
over it. He went with the call and the
letters urging his acceptance to Mrs.
Mavor. l was putting the last touches
to some of MY work in the room at the
back of Mrs. MAYORS house when he
came in. She read the letters and the
call quietly and waited for him to
speak.
"Well,' he said, should l go?'
His question suggested possibility
that had not occurred to her. That he
could leave his work in Black Rock she
had hitherto never imagined, but there
was other work, and he was fit for
good work anywhere. Why should he
not go? saw the fear in her face, but
I saw more than fear in her eyes as
n tIryN oh Lot
upon Craig's face. l read her story,
and l was not sorry for either Of them.
But she was too much woman to
show her heart easily to the man she
loved, and her voice was even and
calm as she answered his question.
rs this very large congregational"
lone Of tie finest in all the east"
put in for him. ut will be a great
thing for Craig"
Craig was studying her curiously.
think she noticed his eyes upon her. for
she went on even more quietly:
ct will be great chance for work,
and you are able for a larger sphere,
you know, than poor Black Rock af-
fords.'
ed.
"Let some other fellow have try at
it," l said. why should you waste
your talents here?"
"Waste?' cried Mrs. Mavor indig-
nantly.
well. bury If you like it better" L
replied.
ut would not take much of grave
for that funeral" said Craig, smiling.
"Oh," said Mrs. Mavor, you will be
great man. know. and perhaps you
ought to go now"
But he answered coolly: There are
fifty men wanting that eastern charge,
and there is only one wanting Black
Rock, and | don't think Black Rock
is anxious for change, so l have de
termined to stay where l am yet
awhile"
Even my deep disgust and disappoint-
ment did not prevent me from seeing
the sudden leap of JOY in Mrs. Mavor S
| eyes, but she, with a great effort, an
swered quietly:
'Black Rock will be very glad and
some of us very, very glad"
| Nothing could change his mind. There
was no one he knew who could take
his place just now, and why should he
| quit his work? 1t annoyed me consid-
erably to feel he was right. Why is II
that the right things are SO frequently
unpleasant?
And if l had had any doubt about the
matter next Sabbath evening woulC
have removed it, for the men came
| about him after the service and lei
him feel in their own way how much
they approved his decision, though the
self sacrifice involved did not appeal tt
them. They We're too truly western t.
imagine that any inducements the cas-
could offer could compensate for his
loss Of the west. 1t was only fitting
| that the west should have the best
and so the miners took almost as a mat
ter Of course and certainly as theil
right that the best man they knew
should stay with them. But there wer,
| those who knew how much Of wha
most men consider worth while he hat
| given up. and they loved him no les
for it.
Mrs. MAYORS call was not so easily
disposed Of. I: came close upon thu