Clarke courier. [volume] (Berryville, Va.) 1869-1997, 1903-10-07

y
the early morning. when the
ffWDXi emotions are calmest and the
VzfH&5D nerves are steadiest. But
was determined to try 10 have the
baseball match postponed. There could
be no difficulty. One day was rs much
OF holiday as another 70 these easy
going fellows. But the Duke. when l
suggested a change in the day. simply
raised his eyebrows an eighth of an
inch and said
Cant SEE why the day should be
changed" Bruce stormed and swore
all sorts OF destruction upon himself
II he was going TO change his style Of
life for any man. The others followed
the Dukes lead.
That Sunday was a day OF incon-
gruities. The old and the new. the
east and the west, the revercntial past
and the iconoclasuc present were
jumbling themselves together I'm bcwil-
dering confusion. The baseball match
was played with much vigor and pro-
family. The expression on the Pilots
face as he stood watching for awhile
was curious mixture OF interest. sur
prise, doubt and pain. He was read
Justing himself He was SO made as
10 be extremely sensitive to his sur
roundinSs He took on color quickly.
The utter indifference to- the audacious
disregard OF all he had hitherto consid-
cred sacred and essential was discon-
certing. They were all so dead sure.
How did he know they were wrong?
II was his first near view OF practical.
living skeptcism. Skepticism In
book did not disturb him: ne could nut
down words against il. But here il
was alive. cheerful. attractive indeed
fascinating; for these men in their
western garb and with their western
swing had captured his imagination.
He was in Il fierce struggle. and in
few minutes l saw him disappear into
the coulee.
Meantime the match went uproar-
iOusly on TO Il finish, with the result
that the champions OF Home had TO
stand the pain killer their defeat be
ing due chiefly 20 the work of Hi and
Bronco Bill as pitcher and catcher
The celebration was in full swing. or.
as Hi put it, the boys were takin'
their pizen good an calm" when in
walked the Pilot. His face was still
troubled and his lips were drawn and
blue, as II he were in pain. \ silence
fell on the men as he walked in
through the crowd and up TO the bar.
He stood n moment hesitating. looking
round upon the faces, flushed and hot.
that were now turned toward him in
curious defiance. He noticed the look.
and il pulled him together He faced
about toward old Latour and asked
him in a high. clear voice:
rs this the room you said we might
haveT'
The Frenchman shrugged his shout
ders and said:
There is not any more"
The lad paused for an instant. but
only for an instant. Then, lifting a
pile OF hymn books he had near him
on the counter, he said in n grave.
sweet voice and with the culver Of a
smile about his lips:
Gentlemen, Mr.. Latour has allowed
me this room for religious service.
1t Will give me great pleasure il YOU
will ali join" and Immediately he
handed a book TO Bronco Bill. who.
surprised, took 1t as If he did not know
what 10 do with II. The others fol
lowed BrOncO's lead till he came 10
Bruce. who refused. saying roughly:
NO, | don't want il; I've no use for
it,
The missionary flushed and drew
back as if he had been struck. but i'm
mediately, rs if unconsciously. the
Duke. who was standing near.
ksfrs eF..n.., II
n courteous bow. Il thank YOU.
should be glad Of one"
Thank you." replied the Pilot sim
ply rs he handed him book The
men seated themselves upon q bench
that ran round the room or leaned up
against the counter. and most OF them
took on their hats. Just then in came
Muir. and behind him his little wife.
In an instant the Duke was on his
feet, and every hat came OF.
The missionary stood up at the bar
and announced the hymn, Jesus.
Lover of My Soul" The silence that
followed was broken by the sound of
horse galloping. \ buekskin bronco
shot past the window, and in few
moments there appeared at the door
the Old Timer. He was about 10 stride
in when the unusual sight OF row
OF men sitting solemnly with hymn
books I'm their hands held him fast at
the door. He gazed in an amazed,
helpless way upon the men. then at the
missionary. then back at the men. and
stood speechiess. Suddenly there was
a high, shrsll. boyish laugh, and the
men turned to see the missionary in a
fit of laughter. 1t certainly was
shock to any lingering ideas OF religious
propriety they might have about them;
but the contrast between his frank,