The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-12-22


 fcult enough to obtain suitable accom- moation in a town where all, more or less, were dependent on Incubus, Romer & Co. for daily bread.
 Mr. Irongrey would gladly have giv- en him shelter. The Cameronian min ister was Vics firm friend, and often the two discoursed together of the things above, upon, and under the earth till three in the morning, and the summer sun peeped in reproach- fully from all around the study blinds.
 But then, again, would such course be fair to the struggling little Cam eronian congregation of Kirktown, with the financial burden of whose up- keep It's most important member charg- ed himself? For Jacob Romer proyid- ed more than half the minister's sti- pend, saw to the repairs on the oh urch, and out of his own pocket recompensed the precentor and beadle. For him self, Benjamin Irongrey was quite will ing to give up all these advantages. But his session pointed out to him that the congregation was so scanty in numbers that however willing they might be to pay him living wage, and to carry on the work of the con- gregation, they were not able-prac- tically the whole of them depending upon Jacob Romer. Therefore, in all probability, the Kirk of the Hill would be shut up. From this decision only one dissented-Richard Finnan ruling elder-who was willing that he and his minister alike should dare all things in the cause which they accounted righteousness.
 But at this juncture there came an- other offer. Dreamy, detached, his flossy hair cast back in poetic curve from his broad unwrinkled brow, the Reverend John Fowler, of the Free Valley Kirk, strolled across to Vics lodgings, where he was under a weeks notice to quit.
 "I hear you are turned out" he said; "so were we-so was my father I mean--in the year '43 at the Disrup- tion. I feel for you MT. Morris My My friend and yours, Ben-I mean. Mr. Irongray, of the Kirk on the Hill- has told mo of your position. If it be your will to enter my house as guest l and my family will feel our selves honored."
 "It is true" said Vic Morris, that at present 1t would not suit me to quit Kirktown, and that for many req sons. A situation has been proposed to me at the mines of Rio Tinto in Spain. But that will have to wait I have a feeling that may be of use here. Sooner or later-and I believe rather sooner than later-the Incubus Company will get the fall 1t is riding for.'
 "But," he broke off short with a look at his visitor (who sat, his silken hair in fine disorder. making a sort of halo about his head, you also have those connected with the works in high place in your congregation- MT. Hector McKill, is. think, an elder of yours! Can you afford-?" The Reverend John Fowler sketched a little gesture of carelessness, which, like all that he did with his hands. was beautiful to see. John Fowler, whom Hector McKill called Absolom. could not do an ungrateful action if he had tried. And the beautiful spirit that was in him mated well with the bodily presence which stood him in such ex- cellent stead i nthe pulpit. There was some proper pride of the right ghostly sort in the turn of the head with which he answered, T am minister of the Free Valley Kirk, and the stipend of one hundred and sixty pounds, six shillings and six pence which is paid to me comes from the Sustentation Fund of the church to which I have the honor to belong. That payment will not be affected by score of Hector McKills, nor yet by the increase or falling off of the free will offering of my people, concerning
 
 You are welcome to my house. MT. Morris, if you will be our guest" "But cannot come unless-unless-" And here Vic Morris, man of granite. who could speak before capitalists and kings without disturbing himself. faltered at sight of the steady gaze of the dreamy eyes, the gentle kindness of the mouth-from which, however, dropped, all unexpected, pearls of wit and quiet irony, when after long you came to know the man.
 Unless what?" said the minister, smiling.
 Unless you allow me to pay-let us say-what I pay here, or little more for the superior accommodation John Fowler lifted his hands as if to put that part of the question away once and for all.
 My daughter Janet" he said, "does her best But you will have no supe- rior accommodation. Ours is poor house--the house of man with flock of children to educate and little enough to do 1t on Not that take much to do with that-to my shame be it spoken-I hand over the money to my daughter when it comes in, and there is an end to it. I have no doubt that Janet will tender you the state ment of any extra expense to which your presence may put her. But that is between you and her. You will un- derstand that do not wish to place YOU under any obligation" You place me under a very great oneo declared Vic Morris, but for you I should have had to leave the place and any influence which I may have in case of trouble among the men would be greatly marred.
 You are welcome" said John Tow Ter. 'I consider your presence in my house an honor!"
 And Mr. Hector McKill?" The minister opened out his psalms with a movement expressive of infinite scorn.
 "He wearies me, this good MT. Me- Kill" he said. He does the meanest actions all week. and then on prayer meeting nights he will take up half an hour praying for "the spread of per feet sinlessness among professsing Christians On Sunday he sends
 round requests to the vestry that we now sing his favorite paraphrase That to perfections sacred heights We nearer still may rise" Resides which his wife takes in The Prophetic Herald, and wears my soul into tatters with her little horns and her time and times and 'half-a-time. So if was arranged on the spot that Vic should move down to the Valley Manse with all his props" that very night. Janet would have room ready for him, and though Ali and Tim would he a little cramped for space in the garret. they were used to it, and could always get up glow by fighting each o+har rol1ing and tumbling all about