The Sauk Centre herald. (Sauk Centre, Stearns County, Minn.) 1886-current, 1903-06-04

y OIIUIN III UAlNN y i!
Y REPUTATION T
n BY RICHARD BARKER 4
e SHELTON y
e Copyright, 1909, by T. G. Mcclure y!
sss ss.S ~ ~. ~ ~. - -. ~!
The Rev. Charles AIoysius Hall
would scarcely have been taken for a
minister Of the gospel as he sat in the
corner Of a 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
nigh buttoned vest. His clothes, of not
the latest cut, yet carefully brushed
and pressed, would have stamped him
a young business man, and after a
glance at his face-a firm, clean shaver
face, with the brows at that moment
knit in frown-one would have said
that business was not all the gentle
man in question could have wished it.
H. 1t was a favorite remark of the Rev
Mr.. Hall that if his daily life and
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 in the
last ditch. The roof leaked and that
cracked the plastering, 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, circ'kated
through the town, had netted returns
pitifully small. The envelope weekly
offering system had been woefully i'll
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
we'll to do men from the neighboring
city stayed there with their families.
Some of these attended the church.
As 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 heartsick,
sat down in the corridor of the hotel.
he 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, 1 say, Spider said 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
Hail.
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. eff you're going to back
down, we want the deposit back; that's
ALL"
Gentlemen" said Hall CURLY, IN
give your seeming impertinence the
benefit of the doubt There is evident
ly some mistake here"
"Oh, ring off; ring OFF, said the first
speaker YEARLY. you've led us enough
Of chase already"
"See here" said Hall, rising angrily;
"I've no Intention
"Have you the nerve to say you're
not Spider McGann?' said No. while
he favored his companion with a pom
derous wink.
most certainly I'm not" said Hall.
"Would you mind letting us see your
left forearm?" said No. 1, with the air
Of a man 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 oversit critically.
"By George! There aren't any tattoo
marks here" said the shorter of the
pair. 1--WE owe you every apology,
sir, for a very stupid blunder. Will
you jein us?" He nodded toward a
pair Of swinging doors from behind
which the clink Of glasses was plainly
audible. -.a
NO.. thank YOU" said Hall shortly
and turned again to his time table.
Again he felt the touch on his shout
der. @ s.
"We dent mean to intrude." said
respectful voice.
Hall looked up and found the young
fellows again before him.
'Well" he said.
'sYou see," began the taller chap.
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