Lewiston evening teller. [volume] (Lewiston, Idaho) 1903-1911, 1903-11-13
= ~ ~ ~ ~ - x2S> ~; ~ SI =: -
SPIDER M'GANN'S
REPUTATION
By RICHARD BARKER ,
SHELTON
Copy right, la02, by T. c. Mcclure
Copy right, 1909, by T. c. Mcclure

The Kew. Charles AloySluS Hail
would scarcely have been taken for n
minister Of the gospel as he sat in tho
corner of 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 huttunrd vest. His clothes, of not
the latest cut, yet carefully brushed
and pressed. would have stamped him
a young business man, and after II
glance at his faCe-a firm, clean shaver
face, with the brOWS ut that moment
knit in a froWn-oue would have said
that business was not all the gentle
man in question could have wished it.
1t was a fayorte remark of the Rev.
Mr.. Hall that if his daily life ANA
deeds gave 10 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 Cedarville his church, was i'll the
last ditch. The roof leaked and that
cracked the plastcring, 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 nettcd returns
pitifully small The envelope weekly
Offering system had been woefully in
adequate to cover the pastors salary,
and the Ladies' Aid society, with
three suppers and a fair, had raised
Just $6S.37. He 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
well to do men from the neighboring
city stayed there with their families.
Some of these attended the church.
As a 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 heartsics,
sat down in the corridor of the hotel.
be had raised but $40 in cash. With
pledges of perhaps $3S more.
He had opened his time table again
when some one touched his shoulder.
oh l say, Spider" said a 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. L. IF you're going to back
down, we want the deposit back; that's
ALL"
"Gentlcmen," said Hall CURLY, I'm
give your seeming impertinence the
benefit Of the doubt. There is evident
ly some mistake here"
ooh, ring off; ring Off" said the first
speaker YEARLY. you've led us enough
OF n chase already"
"See lere" said Hall, rising angrily;
I've no Intention
Have you the nerve to say you're
not SpiCer McGannT' said No. while
he favor ell his companion with pom
/ derous wink.
"Most certainly I'm not" said Hall.
"WoulJ you mind letting us see your
left forearmY said No. /. with the air
of a mar who has trumped the trick.
Certainly not" said Hall, with some
asperity, ''if it will be a 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 a very stupid blunder. Will
you join u.s." He nodded toward a
pair of swinging doors from behind
which the clnk of glasses was plainly
audible.
NO. tllAnk YOU" said Hall shortly
and turn44l again to his time table.
Again Ia. selt the touch on his Shout
der.
I'VE don't mean to intrude." said a
respectful voice.
Hall looked up, and found the young
fellows again before him.
"Well?' lt2 said.
"You Sc" began the taller chap.
''were in .;ir deuce Of a fix. and we
thought rIrhaps-bare chance. you
know-you might care to help us out
and Incidentally make a neat bit out
of it. There's several hundred in il
for som0 one"
Hall thought of the church and his
mornings work for the $38.
"Pm certainly open to suggestions. y
ne said, smiling grimly.
"Can you box?" said his interloc
utor.
Halls face wore a puzzled expires
sion at the inquiry. 81 have in years