Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1906-12-26


ears. Only the day before yesterday
'ad two jemmies and dark lantern
sent me with letter saying as 'ow
the owner had no further use for en-"
The jewelers. eyes glistened with adj
miration not quite untinged with envy.
"Have YOU expounded the word for
long,? he inquired.
six months" replied the other. ut
come to NE quite natural. was on
the penitent bench on the Saturday,
and the Wednesday afterward
preached as good sermon as ever I've
preached in my life. Brother Clark
said it took is breath away"
"And he's a Judge. too" said the adj
miring jeweler.
"Now," continued Brother Burge,
helping himself plentifully to picked
walnuts = NOW there amt standing
room in our bethel when I'm expound-
ing. People come to hear me from all
parts, old and young, rich and poor,
and the Apostles that don't come early
ave to stand outside and catch the
crumbs I throw 'em through the win
ders"
"It is enough" sighed Brother Riggs,
whose own audience was frequently
content to be on the wrong side Of the
window, sit is enough to make man
vain"
81 struggle against it, brother" said
Mr.. Burge, passing his cup up for
some more tea. II fight against it
hard, but once the evil one was almost
too much for me, and in spite of my
self and knowing besides that it was
q plot Of lis l nearly felt uplifted."
Brother Higgs, passing him some
more beef, pressed for details.
''He sent me two policemen" replied
the other, scowiing at the meanness OF
the trick. zone might ave stood, but
two come to being pretty near too
much for me. They sat under me while
I gave 'em the word 'ot and strong,
and the feeling l had standing up there
and telling policemen what they ought
to do shall never forget"
"But why should policemen make you
proud?r asked his puzzled listener.
Mr.. Burge locked puzzled in his turn.
"why, hasn't Brother Clark told you
about meY he inquired
Mr.. Riggs shook his head. HE sort
of-suggested that-that you had been
little bit wild before you came to us, J"
he murmured apologetically.
"a - little = bit y wild?" repeated
Brother Burge. in Mortified accents.
me? A little bit wild?"
mo doubt he exaggerated little, .
said the jeweler hurriedly. "Being such
good man himself, no doubt things
would seem wild to him that wouldn't
to us-to me, l mean"
"a little bit Wild" said his visitor
again. "Sam Burge, the converted bur
glar. a little bit wild. Well. WELT"
Converted whatY' shouted the jew
eler, half rising from his chair.
Burglar" said the other shortly.
ssWhy, I should think know more
about the inside q jails than anybody
in England. I've pretty near killed
three policemen, besides breaking a
gents leg and throwing footman out
Of window, and then Brother Clark
goes and says I've been a little bit
wild! wonder what he would 'ave?"
But you-you've quite reformed
now?" said the teweler. resuming his
seat and making great effort to hide
his CONSERVATION.
II 'ope So" said Mr.. Burge, with
alarming humility. ''But It's an uncer-
tain world, and far be it from me to
boast. That's why I've come here"
Mr.. Higgs, only half comprehending,
sat back gasping.
eff can stand this" pursued Broth
er Burge, gesuculating wildly in the di-
rection of the shop, 'tif can stand be-
ing here with all these ere pretty little
things to be 'ad for the trouble Of
picking Of 'em up, I can stand any
thing. Tempt me- l says to Brother
Clark. Put me In the way o tempta-
hon,' says. Let me see whether the
evil one or me is the strongest; let me
ave good old up and down with the
powers O darkness and see who
WINS"
Mr.. Higgs, gripping the edge Of the
table with both hands, gazed at this
new Michael in speeches. consterna-
ton.
IT think I see his face now" said
Brother Burge with tender enthusiasm
'.All in glow it was, and he patted
me on the shoulder and says. TIL send
you on a weeks mission to Duncombe,
he says, and you shall stop with
Brother Riggs, who 'as a shop full o
cunning wrought yanities In silver and
gold.'"
"But suppose" said the jeweler, find.
ing his voice by a great effort, sup
pose victory is not given unto you'll"
eft won't make any difference" re.
piled his visitor. Brother Clark prom.
ised that it shouldn't. II you fall
brother he says, well help You ur
again. When you are tired Of sin
come back to us. There's always 9
welcome"
But began the dismayed jeweler
1--WE can only do our best" said
Brother Burge; "the rest we must
leave. ave girded my loins for the
fray and taken much spiritual susie
nance on the way down from this lit
tie hymn book"
Mr.. Higgs paid no heed. He sat
marveling over the fatuousness OF
Brother Clark and trying to think OF
ways and means out Of the dilemma