The Sauk Centre herald. (Sauk Centre, Stearns County, Minn.) 1886-current, 1903-06-04
SPIDER M'GANN'S
REPUTATION
BY RICHARD BARKER
SHELTON
Copyright, 1902, by T. G. Mcclure

The Rev. Charles Aloysius Hall
would scarcely have been taken for a
minister of the gospel as he sat in the
corner of a downtown hotel that
morning, intent on the columns Of a
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
a young business man, and after a
glance at his face-a firm, clean shaver
face, with the brows at that moment
knit i'll 4 frOwn-One would have said
that business was not all the gentle
man in question could have wished it.
1t was a favorite remark of the Rev.
deeds gave no inkling to his profession
the symbols of the cloth never would.
For the first time in the long fight the
Rev. Charles Hall was discouraged.
He realized that now indeed the church
at CCuarVil!C. his church. was in the
last Gitcli Tie Roof leaked and that
cracked the plAStCring, the carpet Was
in tattCrs. the paint was losing faith in
the ciApNOarQS 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, circ;Hal &c
through the town, had netted returns
pitifully small. The envelope weekly
Offering system had been WOefully III
adequate to cover the pastors salary,
and the Ladies' Aid society, with
three suppers and fair, had raised
just $6S.37. lie smiled grimly as he re-
membered that last year his salary
had been 5000 short and this year babe
fair to be another hundred shorter
There had remained yet one hope.
Cedarville was quite summer resort,
and during the hot months numerous
we'll to do men from the neighbOrinS
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
had other channels for their currency,
and when Hall. weary and heartsick,
sat down in the corridor of the hotel,
he had raised but $40 in cash. with
pledges of perhaps $3S more.
He had opened his time taDl" again
when some one touched his shoulder.
ooh, | say, Spider" said a voice in
a
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"
"Thcre's no use mincing matters -
said No, !. "lf you're going to back
down, we want the deposit back; that's
ALL"
Gentlemen" said Hall CURLY, III
give your seeming impertinence the
Denont OF the QOuDe. lnefe is eNlueul'
ly some mistake here"
"Oh, ring off; ring off, said the first
speaker YEARLY. you've led us enough
of chase already"
"See here" said Hall, rising angrily
"I've no Intention
Have you the nerve to say you're
not Spider McGann?" said No. while
he favored his companion with a pom
derous wink.
"Most certainly I'm not" said Hail.
"Would you mind letting us see YOU
left forearm" said No. 1, with the all
Of a man who has trumpet the trick.
Certainly not" said Hall, with some
asperity, 'tif it will be a means Of con
vincing you"
He barred his left forearm. and thu
two bent oversit critically.
"By George! There aren't any tattoo
marks here" said the shorter of thu
pair. 1--WE owe you every apology
sir, for very stupid blunder. Will
you join u.s.? He nodded toward ,
pair Of swinging doors from behint
which the clink of glasses was plainl!
audible.
mo-. thank you" said Hall shortl!
and turned again to his time table.
Again he felt the touch on his shout
der.
1--WE don't mean to intrude," said {
respectful voice.
Hall looked up and found the young
fellows again before him.
"Well?" he said.
sYou see," began the taller chap
"we're in the deuce of a fix, and W.
thought perhaps-bare chance, yo'
know-you might care to help us GU
and incidentally make neat bit GU
of it. There's several hundred in
for some one"
Hall thought Of the church and hi
mornings work for the $38.
'T'm certainly open to suggestions,
he said, smiling grimly.
"Can you box?' said his interloc
utor.
Halls face wore a puzzled expires
sion at the inquiry. 81 have In year
past" he admitted. .....
"Goodw said the other. "If we cal
come to terms, you are the very ma
- naod inst at nresenf This ger