The San Francisco call., 1906-05-20

ing Ike this far-reaching. insistent voice.
at one with the organ. had been heard
before
what { hellr' cried one and another
In Jack Perry's. and pushed their way out
OF the door to look.
"Jackson's got someone singin' for him,
TO draw" they said. Heads appeared at
windows Little groups of men and wo-
men strolled up the street
Vaughan watched them Hymn after
hymn he sang until they were near. Then
he stood up before them and began to
plead his cause.
MY friends" he said earnestly, "you
are wondering why am here The rea-
son is this: my church has sent me to
preach the glad tidings Of life. liberty
and happiness TO every man, woman and
child of this city. My message has been
ready. I've stood down yonder at the
church ready TO deliver IL. but none Of
you came to hear. So have come to you
My instructions were Preach.
How can 1 preach when have no one
to preach to?
'T don't come here as an example I
come here as your friend II at any time,
in any place, you want the services of the
church am at your command have no
hours They are all yours. My door
win always be open. When you want me.
come. and If l am able l will respond
On your part. be friendly. Come and lis
ten to my message. Help me TO discharge
my duty. Let me speak plainly and frank
ly to you and with you. / have
no doctrines to urge. except the one duty
of following Christ, the -.vine Man. who
taught US how to live and how 10 die.
Many of you were brought up in
Christian homes. You have drifted away
from the faith of your fathers and moth
ers. You know your duty. but you need
10 be reminded OF II"
He paused. Give US another song, Par
son." called someone IN the crowd
Again he sang: then looked about for
Jack The saloon-keeper lounged out
from the shadow OF the doorway where
he had been standing.
Want her toted back. ParsonT" he
inquired.
He beckoned to his men; the instru-
ment was again lifted and carried back to
the church. A crowd followed and filed
the place. Jack scanned them critically.
IT'S a flfty-dollar house If they don't
deadhead." he unused. ''and. by Jimmy.
they shan'tr'
He listened gravely while the Parson
preached and prayed and sang. but kept
one eye on the door lest any escape. AS
soon as the last Amen" was said, Jack
was on his feet.
''Parson.'' he called out in his slow
drawl. you've done your part, now wen
do ourn.'
He stepped to the table below the plat
form where the preacher stood and picked
up two long poles. each bearing at one
end a bag of dingy red-and-yellow silk
Here, Ned he called to Wilkins, who
sat in a corner near the door. and Win
kins responded to the call. No one ever
disobeyed Jack Perry.
Take this and go down that aisle and
see that every feller tips upl" He raised
his voice. 'I'll go down the other. 'Tain't
offen Jack Perry acts as deaking. but
when he does. every bub in the house
tips up,"
He started on his deliberate way, pre-
senting the bag to each individual. II
anyone hesitated he received a jab in the
stomach and Jacks voice was heard.
Come. tip UP, tip up,'
Before one man he paused some sec
onds. What's that?" He could be heard
all over the church. Broker He
turned to man behind him Here. Bob.
lend Pete a dollar. And sect you put IL
all in, Peter
The bags were emptied on the table and
the money was counted. "F1fty-seven
dollars and six bits" Jack announced.
IF that amt enough. Parson, Wen go
round again"
That's enough" returned Vaughan
I'm satisfied"
Satisfied! He was overwhelmed. When,
so much money at once? He rolled about
on his hard bed for hours. that night. re-
viewing the events OF the evening and
congratulating himself. At last he had
made an impression, had identified him
self with the life Of the place, had been
recognized by the people. He could see
their wondring faces press up from be-
low as he stood on the corner, could hear
them following him down the street Ills
actual work had begun
The Eureka Sentinel the next morning.
contained a picturesque account OF the
services on Jackson's corner, and, III con-
clusion, welcomed to the town thu talent
ed young preacher" prophesying that he
would find "the harvest great, the lab
orers few. and the pay damned little"
Penrose, the editor, haA not. until now, so
much as recognized his existence.
On Richmond Hill the affair was dis
cussed in all its phases It furnished to
Winslow material for infinite sarcasm
Haverford could but thinly disguise his
disgust. Both confessed that all they
knew Of the occurrence was what they
had heard.
Ned wilkins told Katherine. when they
were by themselves, that he had attended
the service, but he did not mention pass
ing the bag. 1t was queer. he said. but
there was something contagious about
the fellows enthusiasm. He spoke apoi-
ogetically. Katharine caught herself
combating an indefinite disapproval Sing
ing on the cornerl Marching with his
organ to and froI How absurd. how
inartistici She wished she might see the
young preacher and tell him what she
thought OF such methods Possibly be
would not care.
He certainly would not have cared at
the time. At the time he was followin:
that ignis fatuus. Holy Grail. pillar of
cloud and pillar Of fire, which was to him
his Duty.
CHAPTER VII.