The Morris County chronicle., 1904-02-05


wives. with Williams, the storekeeper,
We're greatly surprised to see Bronco
Bill, Hi and half dozen ranchers and
cowboys walk in at intervals and sol
emnly seat themselves. Robbie looked
at them with surprise and little sus-
picion. In church matters he had no
dealings with the Samaritans from the
hills, and while, in their unregenerate
condition, they might be regarded as
suitable objects Of missionary effort, as
to their having any part in the direc-
ton, much less control, of the church
policy-from such notion Robbie was
delivered by his loyal adherence to the
Scriptural injunction that he should
not cast pearls before swine.
The Pilot. though surprised to see
Bill and the cattle men, was none the
less delighted and faced the meeting
with more confidence. He stated the
question for discussion: Should church
building be erected this summer in
Swan Greek? and he put his case well.
Then followed dread, solemn silence.
Robbie was content to wait till the eff
in smaller talk. Then he gravely said:
'The kirk wad be a gran thing, nae
doot, an they wad a. dootless" a
suspicious glance toward Bill-"rejoice
in its erection. But we maun be eau
tious, an / wad like to inquire hoo
much money kirk cud be built for
an whaur the money wad come fraeT
The Pilot was ready with his answer.
/ The cost would be $1,000. The church
building fund would contribute $2OO
the people would give $500 In labor
and the remaining $700 he thought
could be raised in the district in two
years. time.
AYE" said Robbie, and the tone and
manner were sufficient to drench any
enthusiasm with the chilliest of water
So much was this the case that the
chairman, Williams, seemed quite jus
titled in saying:
"It is quite evident that the opinion
of the meeting is adverse to any at.
tempt to load the community with a
debt of $1,000" and he proceeded with
a very complete statement of the many
and various objections to any attempt
at building church this year. The
people were very few, they were dis
persed over large area, they were not
interested sufficiently. they were all
spending money and making little in
return; he supposed therefore that the
meeting might adjourn.
Robbie sat silent and expressionless
in spite of his little wifes anxious
whispers and nudges. The Pilot looked
the picture Of woe and was on the poi .
of bursting forth when the meeting
was startled by Bill
Say, boys! They hain't much stuck
on their shop, heh?' The low, drawing
voice was perfectly distinct and arrest
ing.
"Hain't got no use for it seemingly"
was the answer from the dark corner.
"Old Scotchie takes his religion out
in prayln', l guess drawled In Bill,
but wants to sponge for his plant"
This reference to Robbie's proposal
to use the school moved the youngsters
to t1ttering and made the little Scotch
man squirm, for he prided himself
upon his independence.
"There amt $7O0 in the hull blanked
outfit" This was a strangers voice,
and again Robbie squirmed, for he
rather prided himself also on his abil-
ity to pay his way
mo good" said another emphatic
voice. "A BANKED lot of psalm singing
snipesv'
"Order. ordorn' cried the chairman.
"Old Windbag there don't see any
show for swipin the collection with
Scotchie round" said Hi, with a fol-
lowing ripple of quiet laughter, for
Williams reputation was none too Sc
cure
Robbie was in most uncomfortable
state of mind. SO unusually stirred
was he that for the first time in his
history he made motion.
Il move we adjourn, Mr., Chairman"
he said in a voice which actually vi
brated with emotion.
different here! Eh, boys?" drawled
Bill
you bet~ said Hi, in huge delight
"The meetin' amt out yit."
''Ye can bide till mor-r-nin'," said
Robbie angrily. Am gaen hame," be-
ginning to put OH his coat,
Seems ms If he orter give the pass
word" drawled Bill.
Right you are, pardner," said Hi.
springing to the door and waiting in de-
lighted expectation for his friends lead,
Robbie looked at the door, then at
his wife, hesitated moment, | have no
doubt wishing her home. Then Bill
stood up and began to speak.
"AIr Chairman, | hain't been called
on for any remarks
"Go onr' yelled his friends from the
| dark corner "Hear, hear"
fan ! didn't feel as if this war
hardly my game. though the Pilot amt
mean about invitin' feller on Sunday
afternoons. But them MS runs the shop
don't seem TO want us fellers round
! too much"
Robbie was gaz ng keenly at Bill, and
here shook his head, muttering angrily;
"IIoots. nonsense! Ye're welcome
| enerch.''
But" Went on Bill slowly, II guess
I've been on the wrong track. I've
been a-cherishin the opinion" [sHear
hearw yelled his adnlirersl, "cherishin
the opinion" repeated Bill. "that these
~. A. -