The Morris County chronicle. [volume] (Morristown, N.J.) 1877-1915, 1903-12-11


thousand AS the missionary finished
the story. Bill, who had been listening
with great interest, said:
81 say, pard, / think I'll call you
just now."'
Il beg your pardonY" said the star
tied missionary.
You're givin' us quite a song and
dance now. amt your"
81 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 grub r
give loayes and two fishes" an
swered Bruce for the missionary.
'Well.'' drawled Bill with the air of
a man who has reached a conclusion,
chats little too unusual for me.
Why" looking pityingIy at the mis-
sionary, it amt natarel.'
Fright you are, my boy" said Bruce,
with a laugh ITS deucedly unnatu-
raj"
'.Not for him." said the missionary
quietly Then Bruce ioyfully 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 will, till the missionary,
as Bill said, was ratified worse nor
rooster in the dark"
Poor little Mrs Muir was much
scandalized and looked anxiously at
her husband, wishing him to take her
out But help came from an uneXpect-
ed quarter and Hi suddenly called out:
'Here you, Bill! Shut your BANKED
jaw, and you, Bruce, give the man
chance to work off his music
CHATS So Fair play.' eco on!'
were the cries that came in response
to His appeal.
I The missionary, who was all trem-
bling and much troubled, gave Hi
grateful look and said
I'm afraid there are a great many
things | don't understand, and l am not
good at argument" There were shouts
of $50 on.' Fire ahead!' "Play
the camel" but he said, Il think we
will close the service with a hymn"
His frankness and modesty and his re-
spectful, courteous manner gained the
sympathy of the men, so that all Joined
heartily in singing, Sun of My Soul.
/ In the prayer that followed his voice
grew steady and his nerve came back
/ to him The words were very simple,
and the petitions were mostly for light
! and for strength With few words of
! remembrance of chose in our homes
| far away WHO think of us and pray
for us and never forget" this strange
service was brought to a close.
After the missionary had stepped out
| the whole affair was discussed with
great warmth. Iii Kendall thol. h
''the Pilot didn't have no fair show.
maintaining tlat when lie was no IA
a steer lie didn't want no BANKED ten-
derfoot to be shown in his rope lie
Bill there But Bill steadily ma II
tanned his position that ''the story OF
that there picnic was Il little too I'M
| usual" for him Bruce was trying
meanwhile to beguile the Duke into a
discussion OF the physics and meta
physics of the case. But the Duke re
/ fused with quiet contempt to be drawn
into a region where he felt himself n
stranger. He preferred poker himself
If Bruce cared to take a hand, and 50
the evening went on, with the theolog
| ical discussion by Hi and Bill in
judicial friendly spirit in one corner
while the others for the most part
! played poker.
When tie missionary returned late
there were only few left in the ROOM
among them the Duke and Bruce, who
Was drinking steadily and losing
money The missionary's presence
seemed TO luitate Inn and h played
even more reckl2ssly thlu usual, sHe.u-
ing deeply III every 10 At the dor
the missionary stood looking up into
the night sky and humming so { Y
sun of My Soul" and after few
minutes the Duke joined in hummin B
a bass to the air till Bruce could con
tain himself no longer.
Il say he called out, this isn't an
blanked prayer meeting, is it?"
The Duke ceased humming ana
looking at Bruce, said quietly: Wet
what is it? What's the trouble?"
"Irouble!' shouted Bruce. II don't
see what hymn singing has to do with
a poker game
ooh. | see! beg pardon, Was |
singing|' said the Duke Then. af +
pause he added: you're quite rig t..
| say. Bruce let's quit. Something has
got on TO your nerves, And, coolly
sweeping his pile into his pocket h
gave up the game. With an oath
Bruce left the table, took anot' er
drink and went unsteady out to his