The San Francisco call., 1906-06-17

7 equipped himself with writing pad and
pencil and went early to take il all in
/ The tables. long boards laid on trestles.
were laid In the large hall owned by the
Miners Union The banqueters were al
ready in their places when Penrose en-
tered. Kicker and Vaughan were at the
heads of the two long tables. The Irish
men were out in full force. the old resi-
dents dressed in American store
/ clothes" the green" new arrivals ar
rayed in picturesque waistcoats and trou-
I sers of varied color and extravagant pat
tern. brought from the south and west OF
ireland. Cornish homespun played a sim
/ liar part in distinguishing newcomers
among the Cornish miners, who were
present in large numbers.
The tables were full Every one was in
the best of humOr. taking hard rubs and
giving them with equal good nature
When Penrose had been directed to his
seat and one or two other late eOmers had
drifted into theirs. Kicker stood up and
raped on the table with the handle OF
his knife. There was instant silence.
'Ricker's going to say grace. This'n put
on the cap sheaf." his next neighber
whispered to Penrose.
Kicker ran his eye over the tabls. There
were all sorts of viands to offset the alb
sence of liquors prescribed by himself and
/ Vaughan alike; but. If in ironic disre-
/ gard of his own well-known vegetarian
tendencies. some one had set before him
on a large platter a sucking pig. roasted
whole. with an apple in his mouth
Kicker saw nothing else. He gave the pig
despairing glance. rolled his blue eyes
piously heavenward. clasped mis- hands
and began:
/ 20 Lord. if Thou canst bless under the
/ dispensation of the new that which Thou
diast curse under the dispensation of the
old. If Thy blessing can rest upon that
into which. when Thou vast upon earth.
Thou didst permit the devils to enter.
then do Thou bless this roast pig: he
paused and added hurriedly. and the
other foods provided for Us at this time.
/ Amen"
He sat down amid a hum Of approval
which. under purely secular conditions.
would have exploded into handclappings
and cheers. and leaning over the table.
called out. Brother Tregoning, III thank
yer for that pie,''
Cake. frrit. nuts were added to the pie
by those who sat near. they. meanwhile.
bearing of in triumph the pig: ana the
rerriment began one table vying with
the other in anecdote and witticisIn, each
greeted by roars Of delight.
In the midst Of it Vaughan became
aware that some one was standing in the
open doorway regarding him with fxed
earnest gaze. He looked up and saw
Frank Henley.
With sudden premonitson of impending
ILL., Vaughan sprang to his side
Frank had a black-bordered envelope
in his hand He gave il 20 Vaughan with
out word 1t was from the aged pastor
at home. who had written on il in his
cramped cid hand with speed
Vaughan broke the seal and read.
Frank watched the color leave his face
Down one page. across another. darted
his troubled glance. He read to the end
then refolded the sheet with trembling
fingers.
Any one dead9 inquired Frank briefly.
Vaughan bowed. unable to SPEAK.
Any of your folks?''
Fatner-and mother. toorr was the an
swer' IN a low. anguish-stricken voice.
FRANK turned toward the tables where
the reasters sat They had returned. AFTER
tne imperceptible pause. TO the roast pig
ana the pies and cakes and the stories
ana songs Wherever the parson went
EDDffnnaa 49,