Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1903-10-16
By RALPH CONNOR

Author of

ure, but somehow tuluh tuc ilot' oS
HI approvingly said, "got in his funny
work" and it 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:
81 say, pard, think I'll call you
Just now"
81 beg your pardonv' said the star
tied missionary.
You're glvin' US quite a song and
dance now, amt you"
81 don't understand" was the puz-
zled reply.
How many men was there In the
crowd" asked Bill with judicial air.
give thousand"
"And how much grub?
give loaves and two fishes," an
swered Bruce for the missionary.
"Well," drawled Bill with the air OF
a man who has reached conclusion,
that's a little too unusual for me.
Why" looking pityingly at the mis-
sionary, 1T 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 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 a
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 blanked
jaw, and you, Bruce, give the man
chance to work off his music"
That's so!' Fair play" "Go on"
were the cries that came in response
to His appeal.
The missionary, who was all trem-
bling and much troubled, gave hi
grateful look and said:
"I'm afraid there are great many
things don't understand, and am not
good at argument" There were shouts
of go on" Fire ahead" "Play
the gamer but he said, 81 think we
will close the service with a hymn"
His frankness and modesty and his re-
spectful, courteous manner gained the
sympathy o. 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 those in our homes
far away who think Of US and pray
for us and never forget" this strange
service was brought to close. ~
After the missionary had stepped ept
the whole affair was discussed dFwith
great warmth. Hi kendall tAeSght
"the Pilot didn't have no - Bw,'
maintaining that when h Spin'
a steer he did" e&ed ten
derfoot to be sL- rh1s rope like
Bill there" But Bf1l steadily main
tanned his position that "the story Of
that there picnic was little too un-
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 region where he felt himself
stranger He preferred poker himself
If Bruce cared to take hand, and so
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 the 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 irritate him. and he played
even more recklessly than usual, swear
ing deeply at every loss. At the door
the missionary stood looking up into
the night sky and humming softly
"Sun of My Soul" and after few
minutes the Duke joined IN humminS
bass to the air till Bruce could coll
tain himself no longer.
II say" he called out, "this isn't any
blanked prayer meeting, is it:'
The Duke ceased humming and,
looking at Bruce, said quietly: "Well,
what is It? What's the trouble"
"Troube!' shouted Bruce. Il don't
see what hymn singing has to do with
q poker game"
"Oh. l see! I beg pardon! Was l
singing?" said the Duke Then. after
a pause, he added: You're quite right.
l 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 another
drink and went unsteadily out to his
horse. and soon we heard him ride
away into the darkness. singing
snatches of the hymn and swearing
the most awful oaths.
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