The daily silver state. [volume] (Winnemucca, Nev.) 1903-1907, 1904-02-26
McC Cams Reputation

would scarcely have been taken for
a minister of the gospel as he sat in
the corner of a downtown hotel a
morning. insent on the columns of a
Time table. rhere was no "Pi ince AL
oelt," no high hat, no clerical collar,
40 high buttoned vest. His clothers, of
.lot the latest cut, yet carefully brush
ID and pressed, would have stamped
ann a young business man, and aItei
a glance at his tace-a finn, clean
snaven face, with the brows at that
moment knit in a flown-one would
Lave said that business was not all
~Ae gentleman in question could have
WISHED it.
Ii was a favorite remark of the Rev.
DIR. Hall that If his daily life and
leeds gave no linking to his profes-
ION the symbols Of the cloth never
.sould. For the first time in the long
4ght the Rev. Charles Hall was dis
outraged. He realized that now in
iced the church at edarville, his
-nurch, was in the last ditch. The
toof leaked and hat cracked the plas-
ii6t Az CdlRCl WdS III ldtNSlSt Az
paint was locing faith in the clapboards
and the spire was SO badly out of
plumb that the town board had threat
-ned To take it down unless 1T was
gwen prompt attention.
Some subscription papers, circulated
through the town, had netted returns
pitifully small. The envelope weekly
offering system had been woefully In
adequate to cover the pastors salary,
and the Ladies' Aid society, with three
suppers and a fair, had raised ust
y6S.37. He smiled grimly as he re-
n.embered that last year his salary
nad been 5000 short and this year babe
fair to be another hundred shorter.
There had remained yet one hope.
Cedaryille was quite a summer resort,
and during the hot months numerous
we'll to do men from the n~eighboring
city stayed there with their families.
Some of these attended the church,
AS a last resort Rev. Mr.. Hall had
come to. the city to make personal ap-
peal to these men. But Brother Jones
and Brother Hayes and Brother Ben
ton had other channels for their cur
rency, and when Hall, weary and
hsartsick, sat down in the corridor OF
the hotel, he had haised but $40 in
cash, with pledges of perhaps S3s
more.
He a opened his time table again
when some on touched his oulde
"Oh, 1 say, Spider" said a voice In
depreciation, this isn't just square,
you know. We've been hunting high
and low for you. Why didn't o send
US word?"
Hall looked up. Two young fellows
evidently college men, stood before
him.
"Were you addressing me?' said
Hall.
That's pretty good said the other
young man. You're funny when you
have a try at dignity, old boy"
There's no use nincing matters,
said No. L. 'If you're going obaek
down, we want the deposit back, that's
ALL"
Gentlemen said Hall CURLY, I'll
give your seeming i~mpertinence 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 a chase already"
See here" said Hall, rising angrily;
i've no Intention
"Hav you the nerve to say you're
not Spider McGann?" said No. 2 while
he favored his companion with a pom
derous wink.
Most certainly I'm net" said Hall.
Would you mind letting us see your
left forearm" said No. /, with the air
Of a man who has trumped the trick.
Certainly not" said Hall, with some
asperity, "if 1t will be a means of con-
vincing you"
He barred his left forearm, and the
two bent over it critically.
by George! There aren't any tattoo
marks here" said the shorter of the
pair. I'VE owe you every apology. sir,
for a very stupid blunder. Will you
join us?" He nodded toward a pair
or swinging doors from behind which
the clink of glasses was plainly aud
ible.
mo. thank you," said Hall shortly
and turned again to his time table.
Again he felt the touch ON his shout
der.
I'VE don't mean. to ~intrude," said a
respectful voice.
Hall looked up n found the young
fellows again before him.
"Well?' he said.
You see." began the taller chap.
we're in the deuce of a fix, and we
thought p~erhaps-bare chance, you
know-you might care to help us out
and incidentally make a neat bit out
of it. There's several hundred in 1t
for some one."
Hall thought of the church and his
mornings work for the $3S.
II Uncertainty open to suggestions,
he said, smiling grimly.