The Meeker herald., 1905-10-21

I1dWhluS. FtIuhps Jane bllSS WAS
took bad at the last minute and he
couldn't leave. II he doesn't come
soon I'll take the short cut by the
crick and go over"
Her words were cut short by the
opening Of the study door. A stranger
appeared. He was greeted by the us-
ual whispering and uplifted brows.
When he had carefully closed the
door he stepped forward and clos ed
his eyes minute as II in prayer.
Then he looked around and smiled.
a beautiful pious smile. In a conhd-
ing voice he said. Dear young friends
Il have noticed the absence Of age
here today regret very much that
our dear friend and brother, Mr.. Bliss,
cannot be with us. Ahem-Ahein."
Echo from the study. II have Just
returned from the p, from foreign
lands and have been asked to take
charge of the service for our absent
brother, and to preach the annual
missionary sermon" Groans from the
study, followed by loud and violent
sneeze.
From Greenland's Icy Mountains
Rise and sing" said the stranger
loudly.
The Judsonites were quickly on
their feet singing for dear life.
Next came the announcements. The
card had been left on the open Bible.
Services this evening by the pastor.
Subject was naked and ye clothed
me-" Noise from the study.
Rise and sing. There is (Seen
HILL" Judson sang 1.-THE Green fill"
and sat down. Fat Mr.. Hobbs was
putting.
The stranger went on: "a recital
by the choir on Tuesday evening at
the home Of" Another sneeze from
the study.
"'safely Guarded Every one
stand"
"Blest II can" wheezed Mr.. Hobbs.
The hymn finished. the stranger
continued, Prayer meeting on
Wednesday evening at the usual hour.
There will be NO collection on that
evening as this is the day for the an
nual missionary offering and iarge
amount is requested"
More sounds from the study.
Sing" he fairly shouted, "sing
number three hundred. Three hun
dred." he repeated to the study door.
With what breath they had left,
they sang. Thank goodness, he
didn't say to stand" sighed Mr..
Hobbs.
Then everything went we'll. The
sounds in the study ceased. The
stranger read a chapter from Job and
then announced his text: Cast your
bread upon the waters" With =
beaming smile he went on. Nov, we
will have the offering. Will the dea-
cons please pass the baskets?"
Four old men moved squeakily up
the aisle. They passed the baskets
back and forth through the pews and
the clink, clink Of the money brought
q smile Of satisfaction to the mission
ary's face. The deacons placed the
offering at his feet and turned to go
back to their seats.
From where he sat he saw the faces
Of the congregation suddenly charge.
Smiles changed to Mortified stare.
They seemed to see an apparition.
He turned and beheld the pastor
standing In the doorway beside him
clad from head to foot in the most
atrocious rags and looking scared and
weak.
The stranger rose quietly and
smiled. He laid his revolver ON the
desk and with a def movement re-
moved his wig with which came the
side-burns. The people gasped.
Keep your seats. my friends. No
need for anyone to rise now" And
he picked up his gun. II am sorry
this has happened. No one regrets 1t
more than l. Allow me, my dear
brother" And taking the clergyman
to the pulpit steps, he made him sit
down. There that's better. Now /
can see you" With another smile
he went on: ALLOW me to thank you,
kind friends for your generous offer
ing. need 1t badly" And STOPPING,
he conveyed the contents Of each has
ket to his pocket. "And by the way,
Mr.. Bliss. want to thank you for
this handsome suit. hope you didn't
catch cold. shall now turn the rest
Of the service over to you. regret
that cannot leave the cash."
Then he lightly jumped down from
where he stood and swinging his gun
carelessly in one hand he walked
slowly and smilingly down the aisle.
II see 30 many old friends here.
One feels better when he has COM
pany in misery. Let me see; still
weighing butter light, Josh? told
you once 1t wasn't honest. Better
take to preaching. ha, ha! Twill have
my little Joke. And do believe that
Nancy Barr finally landed Dan Willis.
Well, Dan, you deserved q better fate"
He walked few steps down the
aisle, and went on: Say, Lem, do
you remember the day you and stole