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


the doorway was too much for them.
and one by one they gave way 20 roars
OF laughter. The Old Timer. however.
kept his face unmoved. strobe 10 20
the bar and nodded to old Tatour. who
served him his drink. which he took
az a gulp.
Here. old many called out Bill. Ger
into the game; here's your deck offer
Ing him his book. But the missionary
was before him. and with very beauti-
ful grace he handed the Old Timer a
book and pointed him To a seat.
1 shall never forget that service. As
= religious affair IL was a dead fail
ure, but somehow l think the Pilot. as
Hi apprOvingly said. got I'm bis funny
work. and IL was not wholly de-
feat The first hymn was sung chiefly
by the missionary and Mrs. Muir.
whose voice was very high. with one
or two OF the men softly whistling an
accompaniment The second hymn
was better. and then came the lesson.
the story OF the feeding OF the five
thousand As the missionary finished
the story. Bill. who had been listening
with great interest. said
- say, pard. think III call you
just now
Il beg your PARDON said the star
tied missionary.
You're givin' US quite a song and
dance now. amt youT'
II don't understand" was the puz-
zled reply.
How many men was there in the
crowdT' asked Bill with a judicial air
Five thousand"
"And how much grubT'
Five loaves and two fishes" an
swered Bruce FOR the missionary.
Well drawled Bill with the air Of
man who has reached conclusion
that's a little too unusual for me-
Why looking pityingly at the mis-
siOnary. lit amt natareL"
Right you are. my boy" said Bruce.
with "A laugh It's deucedly unnatu-
raj"
Not for him." said the missionary
quietly. Then Bruce joyfully took him
up and led him on into a discussion OF
evidences, and from evidences into
metaphysics. the origin of evil and the
freedom OF the viii. til the missionary,
as Bin said. was ratified worse nor a
rooster in the dark
Poor little Mrs. Muir was much
scandalized and looked anxiousiy ut
her husband. wishing him 10 take her
out But help came from an uneNpect-
Ell quarter. and Hi suddenly called out:
Here you. BIZ, shut your BANKED
jaw. and you. Bruce. give the man a
chance TO work OF his music"
That's So Fair play Go on
were the cries that came in response
10 HIS appeal.
The missionary. who was all trem-
bling and much troubled. gave ri a
grateful look and said.
I'm afraid there are a great many
things ! don't understand. and am not
good nj argument" There were shouts
OF Go ON" Fire ahead~ Play
the game" but he said. II think we
viii close The service with a hymn"
His franknesS ami modcsty and his re-
spectful. courteous manner gained the
sympathy OF the men. 80 that all Joined
heartily ia singing. "Sun OF Ny Soul"
In the prayer that followed his voice
grew steady aud his nerve came back
10 him. The words were very simple.
ana the petitions were mostly for hsht
and FOR strength. With few words OF
Remembrance az those in our homes
far away who think OF us aud pray
for rs ami never forget" this strange
service was brought Co q close
After the missionary had stepped out
the whole affair was discussed with
great warmth III kendall thought
'the Pilot didn't have no fair show
maintaining that when he was '.ropin'
steer he didn't want no BANKED ten
derfoot TO bc shown in his rope like
Bill there" But BW steadily main
tained his position that "the story OF
that there picnic was little too un-
usual for him. Bruce was irwin.
meanwhile 10 beguile the Duke into a
discussion OF the physics aud meta
physics of the ease. But the Duke re-
fused with quiet contempt 90 be- drawn
into region where he felt himself a
stranger. lie preferred poker himself
If Bruce cared To take a hand and So
the evening went ON. with the theolo--
ical discussion 10y III and Bill in a
judicial friendly spirit IN one corner.
while the others for the most part
played poker
When the missionary returned late
there were only Il few left IN the room.
among them the Duke and Bruce. who
was drinking steadily and losing
money. The missionary's presence
seemed 10 irTitate HIM. and he PLAYED
even more recklesSiy than usual. swear
ing deeply al every loss. At the door
the missionary stood looking up into
the night sky and humming softly
sun Of Ny Soul" and after a few
minutes the Duke joined in humming
4 bass TO the air till Bruce could con-
tain himself no longer.
Il say" he called out, this isn't any
BANKED prayer meeting. is it,
The Duke ceased humming and
looking 1T Bruce. said quietly: Well
what i it? What's the trouble?"
Trouble shouted Bruce i don't
see what hymn singing has 10 DO with
a poker game"
"Oh. l see, l beg pardon. Was I
singing" said the Duke Then. after
q pause he added: You're quite right.
/ say, Bruce. lets quit Something has
got on 10 your nerves" And. coolly
sweeping his pile into his pocket. he
gave mp the game. With an oath
Bruce left the table, took another
drink and went unSteadily out 10 his
NW RA IN I n