Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1903-10-21
CHAPTER ".

| liz fIllOI . MEASUhEs
MYY1T was Hi Kendall that an
l1I i nounced the arrival of the
faaH5s9 missionary. was standing
lssYssJ Mt the door Of my school,
watching the children ride Off home on
their ponies, when Hi came Looping
along on his bronco In the loose jointed
cowboy style.
WE'LL" he drawled out, bringing his
bronco to dead stop in n single bound,
"he's lit"
lit? Where? What?' said 1, look
ing round for an eagle or some other
flying thing.
your brlnlsed Sky Pilot, and he's
a beauty, pretty kid-looks too tender
for this climate. Better not let him
out on the range" Hi was quite dis
gusted evidently.
whats the matter with him, Hip
'NHhy, he amt no parson! / don't
so much on parsons, but when I calls
for one don't want no bantam chick
en-. No, Stree, horse. don't want
no blankety-blank pink and whiteJ
Completed nursery kid foolin' round
my graveyard: If you're goin' t.
bring along a parson, why, bring him
with his eyeteeth cut and his tail
feathers on
That Eli was deeply disappointed was
quite clear from the selection of the
profanity with which he adorned tkis
lengthy address. 1t was never the OK
tent of his profanity, but the choice,
that indicated Hrs interest," IN any sup
Ject.
Altogether the outlook for the mis-
stonary was not encouraging. With
the single exception Of the Muirs, who
really counted for little, nobody want
ed him. 10 most of the reckless young
bloods Of the Company of the Noble
Seven his presence was an offense, to
others simply nuisance, while the
Old Timer regarded his advent with
something like dismay, and now His
impression Of his personal appearance
was not cheering.
My first sight Of him did not reassure
me. He was very slight, very young,
very innocent, with u face that might
do for an angel. except for the touch of
humor in 1t, but which seemed strange
" out Of place among the rough. hard
faces that were to BIO seen In the Swan
Greek country. 1t was not weak face,
however. The forehead was high and
square, the mouth firm, and the eyes
We're luminous, of some dark color
violet II there is such color in eyes
dreamy or sparkling, according to his
mood; eyes for which woman might
find use, but which in missionary's
head appeared to mo one of those ex-
traordinary wastes of which nature Is
sometimes guilty.
He was gazing far away into space
infinitely beyond tho foothills and the
blue line Of the mountains behind them.
He turned to mo as l drew near with
eyes alight and face glowing.
ut is gloriousT' he almost painted.
You see this every day!" Then, re-
calling himself, he came eagerly to-
ward me, stretching out his hand.
"You are the schoolmaster, know.
Do you know, it's great thingl l
wanted to be one, but I never could get
the boys on. They always got me tell
ing them tales. l was awfully dtsap-
pointed. I am trying the next best
thing. You see, won't have to keep
order, but don't think can preach
very we'll am going to visit your
school Have you many scholars? Do
you know, think It's splendid l
wish could do It"
had intended to be somewhat stiff
with him, but his evident admiration
Of me made me quite forget this lauda-
BILE intention. and as he tnlked on with
out waiting for an answer his enthusi-
asm, his Difference to my opinion, his
"harm Of mannes. his beautiful face.
" '''t-.-hs made him; .erfectly