The Bamberg herald. [volume] (Bamberg, S.C.) 1891-1972, 1904-04-28

snu;litl bones TO the attractions OF
the saloon o. dance hall. SO thought
the superintendent. who believed there
was az much missionary work in Gle
waiting amusements as in prayer meet
ings. The little chapel was all too
small in which to carry out his far
reaching plans. and he longed for a
peoples palace where the young folks
of the district might benefit by club
rooms, gyunasium-yes. and q dance
hall
He heard from Jake again before the
entertainment took place. The older
boys who assisted him in his prepara-
tions frankly Informed him that there
was plot on foot to break up the
show" jake Boldter was coming.
jake was q fighter. He classed the
superintendent as counter jumper
and the other officers as dudes "wot
he could t'row down wit one hand--de
whole gang t3 onct." Still the young
man went on with his work, only TAX
ing the precaution to engage a police
man to intimidate marauders who
might seek to disturb the peace of the
occasion from the outside.
On the ventful night the chapel was
crowded to the doors with pupils. par
ents and friends. The program was
we'll arranged one, consisting Of music
ard reciting, phonograph and a short
lecture with views from stereopticon.
There was not too much effort at in
struction, neither was there anything
childish. nor calculated to especially
appeal to undeveloped tastes.
All went well-the program was car
ricd out without break. until finally
the room was darkened for the stere-
opticon exhibition.
The extinguishing of the lights was
evidently the signal for the entrance OF
three or four husky young fellows who
persistently elbowed their way into
the crowd standing near the door. They
came in quietly enough. the guard out
side not suspecting their intention of
creating a disturbance. But no sooner
had the lecturer begun talking than
there was an outbreak of Kisses, shrill
whistling and stamping Of feet. Then
came boisterous outlaws and audible
remarks intended to be facetious. but
by no means to be mistaken as compli
mcntary either to the audience or the
entertainers.
Indignant bystanders tried to shame
the offenders into silence. Naturally
this made matters worse. 1t was i'm
possible to lay hands on the rowdies
in the darkness and amid the dense
throIg. Then came scuf1ing and
shutting sounds-evidently a rough
and tumble wrestling match was on
the marauders' sideshow program. The
audience surged toward the door.
chairs were overturned. children cried
and there was a call for flights"
Someone touched the button and the
room was aglow with electricity. An
odd scene presented itself. The crowd.
seeing no cause for alarm. scattered
from the doorway, disclosing the young
superintendent in the act Of bringing
two low browed craniums together
with q crack which shook the stereop-
ticon apparatus;, then with a sharp
push the owners Of craniums were
thrust from the door step into the
arms Of the policeman who had been
summoned to the rescue. And right
behind the superintendent was another
of the "rustlers' tryingto stink through
the open door, But the young man
with the steel blue eye and square
jaw was too quick for him. Grasping
the youth by the collar he gave him
4 hasty sideward turn and walked him
rapidly to 4 side door that led to an
inner room. The spectators SAW the
Goor open and close. Those near by
heard the key turn in the lock. They
wondered that the superintendent
wasn't afraid of such fierce rascal
as Jake Boldter. Would he try to hold
him until the patrol came. or would he
give him a little Sunday y-school talk
and let him go?
Then the lights were turned out and
the show proceeded peacefully to a
close.
On the other side Of the locked door
stood jake Boldter, sullen and red
faced. The superintendent looked at
him for moment with quiZZical and
even amused expression. Then he
spoke and very pleasantly, too.
81 wanted you to see our gymnasium,
Jacob. This is the boys club room.
You know We sent You an invitation to
become 4 member of the club. I know
you are interested in athletics. Here
is the punching bag, there are the
Indian clubs and here are some gloves.
I suppose you could give us all few
pointers about boxing. Want to put
on the gioves?"
Jake looked at the gloves. then
rather critically at the figure Of the su-
perintendent. He was burly fellow.
himself, bulky Of neck and brawny of
chest, with a stocky figure and huge
hands. A poor showing, thought Jake,
did the slender figure make beside his
=. L.