The Laurens advertiser. (Laurens, S.C.) 1885-1973, 1904-05-18
give ioaves and two nshes," an,

Five lOaNeS ana two nSnes, an'
swered Bruce for the missionary.
well" drawled Bill with the air OF
a man who has reached n conclusion,
that's n little too unusual for me,
Why" looking pjtyingly at the mis-.
sionary, ut amt natarel."
Right you are, my boy" said Bruce,
with a laugh. "It's deucedly unnatu
rail-"
Not for him." said the missionary
quietly. Then Bruce joyfully took him
up and led him on into Il discussion of
evidences, and from evidences into
metaphysics, the origin of evil and tho
freedom OF the will. till the missionary,
as Bill said, twas ratified worse nor a
rooster In the dark"
Poor little Mrs. Muir was much
ecandalized 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 BANKED
jaw, and you, Bruce, give the man u
chance to work OFF his music"
That's sol" "Fair playi" "Go on!
were the cries that came In response
to HIS appeal.
The missionary, who was all trcm-
bling and much troubled, gave HI a
grateful look and said;
"Tm afraid there are Il great many
things I don't understand, and L am not
good at argument" There were shouts
Of go on" Fire aheadr' "Play
the camel" but he said, ~ think we
will close the service with II hymn"
His frankness and modesty and his re-
spectful, courteous manner gained the
sympathy Of 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 Il 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 a close.
After the missionary had stepped out
the whole affair was discussed with
great warmth. HI Kendall thought
'the Pilot didn't have no fair show"
maintaining that when he was "ropin'
a steer he didn't want no BANKED ten
derfoot to be shown In his rope like
Bill there" But Bill steadily main
tanned his position that "the story Of
that there picnic was a little too Ill
usual for him. Bruce was trying
meanwhile to beguile the Duke into a
discussion OF the physics and meta
physics of the case. Blu the Duke re-
fused with quiet contempt to be drawn
fnfo N rnrfDn -,hnrn no folt hi,,goIp N
stranger. BE preferred poker himself
IL Bruce cared to take a hand, and so
the evening went on, with the %theolog-
zeal discussion by HI and Bill in q
judicial, friendly spirit In II corner,
while the others for the most part
played poker.
When the missionary returned late
there were only n 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 fccklessly than usual, swear
ing deeply at every loss. AT the door
b missionary stood looking up into
the night sky and hummins softly
"Sun OF My Soul and after n few
minutes the Duke Joined In humming
a bass to the mir till Bruce could con-
tain himself no longer.
II say" he called out, this isn't any
blanked prayer meeting, is til"
The Duke ceased humming and,
looking ut Bruce, said quietly: "Well,
what Is it2 What's the ~trouble2"
~"Trouble!' shouted Bruce. 81 don't
see what hymn singing has to do with
a poker game"
ooh, I see! beg pardon! Was I
singing?' said he Duke. Then, after
q pause. lie added: You're quite right.
I cay, Bruce, let's quit. Something has
got on to your nerves." And, coolly
sweeping his pile into his pocket, he
gave up the game. With an oath
Bruce left the table, took another
drink and went unsteadily out to his