The Laurens advertiser. (Laurens, S.C.) 1885-1973, 1904-05-11

f1Y0T was Hi Kendall that an
l&l Il nounced the arrival Of the
h6aHa67 missionary. I was standing
9e2s& at the door Of my school,
watching the children ride of home on
their ponies, when Hi came Looping
along on his bronco in the loose jointed
cowboy style.
"Well," he drawled out, bringing his
bronco to q dead stop in a single bound,
'he's lit"
"Lit? Where2 WhatT" said I, look
ing round for an eagle or some other
flying thing.
Your BANKED Sky Pilot, and he's
a beauty, a pretty kid-looks too tender
for this climate. Better not let him
out on the range" Hi was quite dis
gusted evidently.
"What's the matter with him, Hit"
"Why, he amt no parson! I DONE
go much on parsons, but when 1 calls
for ono / don't want no bantam chick
en-. No, Stree, horse. I don't want
nc blankety-blank pink and white
Completed nursery kid foolin' round
my graveyard. If you're goin' to
bring along n parson, why, bring him
with his eyeteeth cut and his tail
feathers on"
That Hi was deeply disappointed was
quite clear from the selection OF the
profanity with which he adorned this
lengthy address. 1t was never the ex-
t9nt OF his profanity, but the choice,
that indicated Hrs interest I'M any sub
ject.
Altogether the outlook for the mis-
sionary was not encouraging. With
the single exception OF the Muirs, who
really counted for little, nobody want.
ed him. To most of the reckless young
bloods of the Company of the Noble
Seven his presence was an o%ffense, to
others simply q nuisance, while the
Old Timer regarded his advent with
something like dismay, and now Hi's
impression OF his personal appearance
was not cheering.
My first sight OF him did not reassure
me. He was very slight, very young,
very innocent, with Il face hat might
do for an angel, except for the touch of
humor in 1t, but which seemed strange
ly IL Of place among he rough, hard
faces that were to be seen in the Swan
Creek country. 1t was not n weak face,
however. The forehead was high and
square. the mouth firm, and the eyes
were luminous, Of some dark color
violet, IL there is such n color in eyes
dreamy or sparkling, according to his
mood; eyes for which n woman might
find use, but which in n missionary's
head appeared to me II of those ex-
traordinary wastes OF which nature Is
sometimes guilty.
He was gazing far away into space
infinitely beyond the foothills and the
blue line of the mountains behind them.
He turned to me as / drew neal with
eyes allght and face glowing.
at is g%lorlous!" he almost painted.
"You see this every day!' Then, re-
| calling himself, he came eagerly to-
ward me, stretching out his hand.
you are the schoolmaster, I know.
Do you know, it's n great thing! I
wanted to be nj but / never could get
the boys on. They always got me tell
ing them tales. 1 was awfully disap-
pointed. 1 am trying the next best
thing. You see, I won't have to keep
order, but I don't think I can preach
very well. 1 am going to visit your
school. Have you many scholars? Do
! you know, I think It's splendid! 1
wish / could do It,"
1 had intended to be somewhat stiff
with him, but his evident admiration
of me made me quite forget this lauda-
BILE intention, and as he talked on with
out waiting for an answer his enthusi-
asm, his Difference to my opinion, his
charm of manner, his beautiful face,
his luminous eyes, made him perfectly
Irresistible, and before I was aware I
was listening to his plans for working
his mission with eager interest. SO
eager was my interest, indeed, that be-
fore 1 was aware I found myself ASK
ing him to tea with noe In my shack.
But he declined, saying:
I'D like to awfully; but, do you
know, I think Latour expects me-"
This consideration Of Latour's feel
ings almost upset me.
"you come with me-" he added, ana
I went.
Latour welcomed us with hsa axieA