Evening journal., 1907-02-25

dppIICu5 THCIC0y pcTlnIcss DeO010
into the bondage of actual debt II they could not rssi
the fatal OF seventy-ye dollars by the allotted time
they would become reproach to themselves and mock
The summer sped nexorably to its close and brough,
the day for the final howingor rather the night for
Mapledale made evening function of it. And il zUas
a function The little meeting house, brazeny immacu-
late in its new, unpad-for white paint was packed.
As was the custom whenever the building was used
for festival a reception a lecture Mr. Glynne to
show hat it not church" forsook the platform
and the reading desk and in secular places He had
before him common kitchen table, borrowed for the
OCCASION to serve as counter for the disposition of the
dollars and the profits.
The exercises were opened with an invocation by the
pastor and he invoked such awful amount of
that the listeners who were most directly interested
moved restlessy.
3 "Are we all assembled" asked Mr. Glynne sonor-
ousy, addressing his Workers who well up in front
"All but Ierrie Bennison an Mis- Setter" announced
Dazala, droning in her JOY of being spokeswoman n
The Bennisons interjected Mrs. P. Shehan, are
packed up and go off on tonights train"
you don't reckon the dollars packed too, does your"
croaked Mrs, Skunk, hoping for the worst
"Jerre said" continued Dazaia still dronng unctu-
ousy, as how she an her folks d have to pass the
meen house on their way to the deppo by an as
how she'd leave EN- a moment an attend to her duty
here leastwise that's not what she said Jerre said
as how shed bust G string an fly the coop to roost
the gospel perch an oackle "A SPELL
reproachfu sigh rumbled around the little building
"As for Mrs. Setter" hastily interposed Mr. Glynne
drawing letter from his book, Il have a cormu-
nicaton from her here which it will be my pleasure TO
read to you" His smile was so wide and deep az 10
hint big riches 1t proved, however to be but the
Christian smile of resignation, for Mrs Setter wrote
that owing the teehing Of her baby she had been too
worried occupy herself with money making and here
with returned the original dollar, regretng that it had
earned nothing
This a dampener and aroused subdued but scath-
ing comment
"The idee of one child mulAatherin' woman out of
her few wits" hissed Mrs. Skunk What Mis- Setter
needs to bring her back TO her senses is fzUiHsr"
Dazalia had brought twelve and half yards of ging-
ham at eight cents yard and had fashioned it into
dozen aprons which reailed at twenty-five cents-hree
enabled
dollar increased by two others
With high color Dazalia stepped to the table and
laid thereon her coins
The assembly rustled approvingly.
"WeH DONE good and faithful worker" said Mr.
Then the doxology was sung This was to arouse in
the whole company feeling that they actively
participating in the proceedings
Miss Pipers recital reduced that usually joval won,-
an to tears. She had invested in chickens But they
had eaten much, laid little, not ALL and fought
fatally Fifty cents was the sum total of profit She
meeky waddled to the table with it. unuerly crushed
that Mr. Gynne felt impressed to press comfortingly
her trembling fat hand.
"Wel done" he said and cheerily that Miss Piper
heartened in spite of herself
Next Mrs. P Shehans bread had not only paid for
itself but had netted the fund dollar and ninety
five cents extra.
well done, good and faithful worker" said Mr..
Gynne, who, by the mastery expedient of shifting his
accents managed to give special and individual appli-
cation to his words of praise and yet run the risk
OF sowing dissension by saying more to than
Mrs Shunlls doiles had brought the magnificent
profit of two dollars and half clear.
Good aud faithful" was Mr.. Gynne's verdict the
doxology going with vim.
But the league girls broke the record, returning
twelve doars-their original three and nine TO boot
darkly.
is to be feared that the three league girls did not
get their full need OF praise for the that was
borne in upon the listeners who of course had been
adding returns, that the total profits would come far
short of twenty dollars
They already felt the milestone of debt about their
bowed necks, and haggard look of gloom crept over
the faces OF the most conscientious. What could be
done! When paint was on It was on, and had to be
paid for.
The doxology Harbored wall
Lastly, Grandma Transue beloved an inspiring tale
Of Saxony wool which, though knitted into the finest
OF bootees and garments had yet failed bring
than one dollar and seventy-fve cents She repeated
and repeated this tale until Mr. Glynne seized the
hose and conveyed down it his words of conclusive
At this juncture the far off whistle of the approaching
passenger train brought to all present mental picture
of the worldly little Dorcas who had promised to come
and cacke simultaneously with the vision the reality
appeared
Looking smaller and sweeter than ever in her trim
dark travelling gown her black bows rampant like wings
on each side of her sleek little head erre darted in at
the door, and, after swift glance around to assure
herself that the meeting entirely social and at
all religious sped joyousy up the aisle to the receiving
table rattlng in her hand bag we'll filed with money
The keenest excitement followed lrer
Guess how much l havew she cried gleefuly, pub
ing the string from the mouth of the bag.
AH -, tins IS not 2ceruing from the loaned dollar
surely calculated Mr. Glynne in an undertone
Earned by the work of your own hands? ?" he in.
(creduously insisted
"On the dead / held BIRDS
"You held
"BirdS|
She poured her money on the table in creery Jingle
OF halves, quarters and dimes. The villagers craneC
their necks to see and finally jumped to their feet while
on all sides was heard the whisper "How much"
"Forty-scven dollars and ninety cents announced
lerrie The impossible had happened. The debt wa
lifted Something like a cheer went up
well done, good and faithful worker. Enter fhoi
into the JOY of the unsel6sh said Mr. Glynne, chokini
with fervor.
This emphasis seemed to admit thou only, and to
tally 10 exclude the less fortunate; but the grateful
Mapledalians did not begrudge Jerrie this distinction
and something like another cheer went up.
But voice which refraned from joining in eithe
demonstration grimly spoke.
How that there forty-seven dollars an ninet
cents rigP" demanded Mrs Skunk
!" How? By toll" said Jerrie She drew cut he
as watch gasped when she noted the time, and wake
N gradually to the door while she explained.
A. 81 knew could money like the rest of yo
in yet darent let THAT dollar rot had to do somehin
,ofro CO 7 Ioff