The Marshall republican., 1906-04-27

Here. old mani" called out Eli Get
into the game: here's your deck" offer
ing him his book. Iut the missionary
was before him. and with very bcnuti.
full grace he handed the old Timer n
book and pointed him 10 n srat.
I shall never forget that Srryl"o. As
n religious affair IL was u dead fall.
urc. hut somehow I think the Pilot. a.
III approvingly said. "got In his funny
work. and IL was not wholly n d.
feat. The first hymn was sung chiefly
by the missionary and Mira. Muir
whose voice was very high. with II
or two Of the men softly whisiling an
accompaniment. The SECOND hymn
was better. and then came the lesson.
the story VI che feeding ~ ia" dee
thousand. As the missionary finished
the story. Bill. who had been listening
with great interest. said; .
~ say. pard. I think I'll call YOU
Just now"
81 beg your PARDON said tic star
tied missionary.
You're glyin' us quite n song ard
dance now. Amt youf'
IL don't understand" was the puz.
Zlcd reply.
> 'iiow many mon WAS there In To
crowdT' asked 1911 with u judicial mir.
give thousand"
"And how much grubf"
give loaycs aud two fishes" an
swercd Bruce for the missionary.
"we,l." drawlcd Bill with the mir ~
n mai who hns reached n conclusion.
that's n little too unusual for INC
Why" looking pltyingly ut the mis-
sionnry. ut mint natarcl"
fright you are. my boy" said Bruce.
with II laugh. Its deuccdly unnatu'
raj"
"Not for him." said the missionary
quietly. Then Bruce Joyfully took him
NJ and led him oil Into II discussion OF
evidences. nnd from evidences Into
metaphysics. the origin VI evil npd the
freedom OF the will. Ill the missionary.
IA Bill said. was ratified worse nor u
rooster In the dark"
roor little Mrs. Muir was much
s%candalizcl aud looked nuXiously at
her husband. wishing Him to take her
u hut help came from mn uncNprct'
cd quarter. aud III suddenly called out.
"licrc you. Ilill! Shut your blnnkcd
jaw. aud you, Bruce, give the man n
chance to work on Ills music"
That's so"' Fair play" zoo on
were the cries that came In rcapon -
TO HIS appeal.
The missionary. who was all trcm.
bling aud much troubled. gave Ill "A
grateful look aud said:
I'm afraid there ARE u great many
things | don't understand. aud | am not
good ut argument" There were Fhlus
OF Go on "Fire ahead" play
the gamer but he said. II think We
VIII close the service with II hymn
Ills %frnnkncss ana modcsiy aud his re-
spectful. courteous manner gained the
sympathy of the men. 30 that all Joined
heartily In singing. "Sun Of Ny Soul
In the prayer that followed his voice
grew steady aud his nerve came bnc,
10 him. The words were vcry simple,
aud the petitions were mostly for light
and for strength. With u few words Of
remembrance of those Ia our homes
far away who think Of IN aud pray
for us aud never forget" this strange
service was brought 10 n close,
After the missionary had Il 'pped oul
the whole affair was discussed with
great warmth Iii Ken .ai ihoIphi
'the Pilot didn't have no fair show
maintaining that wi en- he was 'ro IN
a steer he didn't want no blankcd ten
dcrfoot 10 he shown In his rope like
Bill there" But Bill steadily main.
talned his position thnt 'thc story OF
that there picnic was u little too un,
usual for him. Bruce was trying
meanwhile TO beguile the Duke Into d
discussion OF the physics and me'a.
physics OF the ease. But the Duke re,
fused with quiet contempt 10 lie drawn
into a region whore. he felt himself u
stranger. He preferred roSer Himself
II Bruce cared TO take n hand. and 81
the evening went on, with thu ~tleolog
Teal discussion by Iii and BIN In q
judicial, friendly spirit IN one corner
while the others for the most part
played poker,
When the missionary returned lite
there were only a few left In the room
among them the Duke and Bruce. who
was drinking steadily and losing
money. The m~issionary's presence
seemed to irritate him, and h. played
even more recklessly than usual, swear
Ing deeply at every loss. At the dYol
the missionary stood looking up Into
the night SHY and humming so-ty
"Sun Of My Soul,' and after u few
minutes the Duke Joined IA hammin:
a bass to the air till Brucs could con
tain himself no longer.
II say" he called out. ''this isn't an,
BANKED prayer meeting. Is III"
The Duke ceased hummlng and
looking at Bruce. said quietly: "Well
what Is II? What's the trouble2"
"Troubleg' shouted Bruce. II dom
see what hymn singing has to do witt
m sanlrne 40 4.