Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1903-09-01
RALPH CONNER
Copyright 1899, by FLEMING II. REvELL COMPANY.

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"Try again., said Gwen, "and get
some one to make him jump
at would be easier to build the
church, said the Pilot gloomily.
81 could make him jump" said Gwen
viciously, land 1 WILL" she added after
a pause.
"You. answered the Pilot, opening
his eyes. How"
"I'l find some way" she replied reso-
lutely.
And so she did for when the next
meeting was called to consult as to
the building of church, the congrega-
ton, chiefly of farmers and their
wives with Williams, the storekeeper,
were greatly surprised to see Bronco
Bill Hi and half dozen ranchers and
cowboys walk in at intervals and sol
EMMY seat themselves. Robbie looked
at them with surprise and little sus-
picion. In church matters he had no
dealings with the Samaritans from the
hills. and while, III their unregenerate
condition, they might be regarded as
suitable objects of missionary effort, as
to their having any part in the direc-
ton, much less control, of the church
policy-from such notion Robbie was
delivered by his loyal adherence to the
Scriptural injunction that he should
not cast pearls before swine.
The Pilot, though surprised to see
Bill and the cattle men, was none the
less delighted and faced the meeting
with more confidence. He stated the
question for discussion: Should a church
| building be erected this summer in
Swan Greek? and he put his case well.
Then followed dread, solemn silence.
Robbie was content to wait till the eff
feet Of the speech should be dissfpated
In smaller talk. Then he gravely said:
1.-The kirk wad be a gran thing, nae
doot, an they wad a dootless''-with q
suspicious glance toward Bill-"rejoice
in its erection. But we maun be eau
tious, an I wad like to inquire hoo
much money a kirk cud be built for
an whaur the money wad come frae?'
The Pilot was ready with his answer.
The cost would be $1,000. The church
building fund would contribute $500,
the people would give $500 In labor
| and the remaining 500 he thought
could be raised in the district in two
years time
AYE" said Robbie, and the tone and
manner were sufficient to drench any
NJ fop
So much was this the case that the
chairman, Williams, seemed quite JUS
titled in saying:
1T is quite evident that the opinion
|, OF the meeting is adverse to any at
tempt to load the community with a
debt of 81 Geo." and he proceeded with
| very complete statement OF the many
and various objections to any attempt
at building church this year. The
people were very few, they were dis
persed over large area, they were not
interested sufficiently, they were all
| spending money and making little In
return; he supposed therefore that the
meeting might adjourn.
! Robbie sat silent and expressionless
IN spite of his little wife's anxious
whispers and nudges. The Pilot looked
the picture of woe and was on the point
Of bursting forth when the meeting
was startled by Bill.
| sSay, boys! They hain't much stuck
on their shop, heh?' The low, drawing
voice was perfectly distinct and arrest
ing.
| .sHain't got no use for 1t seemingly"
was the answer from the dark corner.
"Old Scotchie takes his religion out
| In prayin', I guess" drawled In Bill,
.sbut wants to sponge for his plant"
| This reference to Robbie's proposal
| to use the school moved the youngsters
/ to tittering and made the little Scotch
man squirm, for he prided himself
| upon his independence.
There amt S7O0 in the hull BANKED
! outfit This was a strangers voice,
and again Robbie squirmed, for ne
rather prided himself also on his abil-
| ity to pay his way.
mo good said another emphatic
/ voice. "a BANKED lot of psalm singing
snipesv'
! Order. ORDER cried the chairman.
! "Old Windbag there don't see any
show for swipin the collection with
Scotchie round" said Hi, with a fol-
lowing ripple of quiet laughter, Tor
| Williams reputation was none too Sc
cure.
Robbie was in most uncomfortable
| state of mind SO unusually stirred
| was he that for the first time in his
I history he made motion.
| II move we adjourn Mr.. Chairman
| he said in voice which actually vi
| brated with emotion.
y different here! Eth, boys?' drawled
Bill.
"You betw said Hi. in huge delight.
sThe meetin' amt out yit.'
Eye can bide till mor-r-nin',," said
| Robbie angrily. Am gaen hame," be
ginning to put on his coat.
| Seems as if he orter give the pass
| word. drawled Bin.
Fright you are. pardner,' said H.
springing to the door. and waiting IN de.
lighted expectation for his friends lead
Robbie looked at the door, then at
his wife, hesitated a moment, have no
doubt wishing her home. Then Bill
| stood up and began. to speak
| ..NIr. Chairman, hail1't been called