Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1903-07-07
SPIDER M'GANN'S
REPUTATION
BY RICHARD BARKER
ShELTSN
Copyright, 1902, by T. c. Mcclure

would scarcely have been taken for a
corner of a downtown hotel that
morning, intent on the columns of q
time table. There was no Prince AL
| bert" no high hat, no clerical collar, no
high buttoned vest. His clothes. of not
| the latest cut, yet carefully brushed
and pressed, would have stamped him
young business man, and after
glance at his face-a firm, clean shayen
face, with the brows ut that moment
knit in frown-one would have said
that business was not all the gentle
man In question could have wished it.
1t was favorite remark of the Rev.
Mr.. Hall that if his daily life and
the symbols Of the clotL never would.
For the first time in the long fight the
Rev. Charles Hall was discouraged.
He realized that now indeed the church
at Cedarville. his church. was in the
last ditch. The roof leaked and that
cracked the plastering the carpet was
in tatters, the paint was losing faith in
the clapboards and the spire was so
badly out of plumb that the town
board had threatened to take it down
unless it was given prompt attention
Some subscription papers. CIRCULATED
through the town, had Melted returns
pitifully small. The envelope weekly
in.
adequate to cover the pastors salary,
and the Ladies' Aid society, with
three suppers and fair, had raised
Just $6S.37. He smiled grimly as he re-
membered that last year his salary
had been $500 short and this year babe
fair to be another hundred shorter.
There had remained yet one hope.
.Cedarville was quite a summer resort,
and during the hot months numerous
well to do men from the neighboring
city stayed there with their families.
Some Of these attended the church.
AS last resort Rev. Mr.. Hall had come
to the city to make personal appeal to
these men. But Brother Jones and
Brother Hayes and Brother Benton
had other channels for their currency,
and when Hall. weary and heartsick.
sat down in the corridor of the hotel,
he had raised but $50 in cash. with
pledges Of perhaps S3S more.
He had opened his time table again
when some one touched his shoulder.
ooh, say. Spider" said voice in
depreciation, this isn't just square,
you know We've been hunting high
and low for you. Why didn't you send
us word?"
Hall looked up. Two young fellows,
evidently college men. stood before
him.
Were you addressing me?" said
Hall.
That's pretty good" said the other
young man. You're funny when you
have try at dignity. old boy"
There's no use mincing matters"
said No. 1. '1f you're going to back
down, we want the deposit back; that's
ALL"
Gentlemen" said Hall CURLY, "I'll
give your seeming impertinence the
benefit Of the doubt There is evident
ly some mistake here"
ooh, ring of; ring OFF, said the first
speaker YEARLY. you've led us enough
Of n chase already"
"See here" said Hall, rising angrily;
"I'ye no Intention
"Have you the nerve to say you're
not Spider McGann?" said No. 2 while
he favored his companion with a pom
derous wink
Most certainly I'm not" said Hall.
"Would you mind letting us see your
left forearm?" said No. 1. with the air
of man who has trumped the trick.
Certainly not" said Hall, with some
asperity, "if it will be means of con-
vincing YOU
He barred his left forearm, and the
two bent over it critically.
"By George! There aren't any tattoo
marks here" said the shorter Of the /
pair. I'VE owe you every apology,
sir. for very stupid blunder. Will /
you join u.s." He nodded toward a .
pair Of swinging doors from behind /
which the c,ink of glasses was plainly
"No, thank you" said Hall shortly
and turned again to his time table.
Again lie felt the touch on his shoul-
der.
1--WE don't mean to intrude," said a
voice.
Hall looked up and found the young
fellows again before him.
"Well!" he said.
'sYou see." began the taller chap,
were in the deuce Of fix, and we
thought perhaps-bare chance, you
know-you might care to help US out
and incidentally make neat bit out
Of it. There's several hundred in it
for some one"
Hall thought of the church and his
work for the S3S.
"Tm certainly open to suggestions"
ne said, smiling erimly.
t'Can you box!' said his interloc-
1tor.
Halls face wore a puzzled express
sion at the inquiry. II have in years
past" he admitted.
Good" said the other. "If we can
come to terms. you are the very man
we need just at present. This gen
,leman is Mr.. Burns. l am Robert ,
Dix. /
You see" Dix continued, "at the t
gym there is trainer called Hefty !
Burke He's put out every man in col. {