Montpelier examiner. [volume] (Montpelier, Idaho) 1895-1937, 1908-02-21

self, but I'm afraid for his moral
nature after my guidance is removed
Deacon Stebbins promised lie
would be a father to the bear during
the elders absence, so the elder went
on his journey rejoicing in the
thought that he had left his pet In
worthy hands.
NOW Deacon Stebbins, while a
good man in many ways, was sort OF
a whited sepulchre, too. He was one
of the pillars of the church, and gen
orally strong in reform movements,
but the deacon had a weakness for
the national game of poker. Once or
twice week he used to drop down
to Hal Jenkins tavern and take
hand in a little game in one OF the
back rooms. The game was kept very
much on the quiet, SO this never IN
| jured the deacon's reputation, although
1t often dented his bank-roll, he not
being the player Hal Jenkins and
some of the rest of the boys were.
| AT last Hal tried to buy the bear,
| but of course Deacon Stebbins had
| no authority to sell the elders cher
ished pet Then Hal wanted to rent
the bear at a mighty liberal figure
until Elder Allison returned; but
Deacon Stebbins wouldn't hear of this.
He sort of limited, too, that he was
afraid the pious bears morals might
be corrupted by too much contact
with Hal, whose heart was rather set
on things of this world. This didn't
please Hal overmuch and made him
more determined to get the bear.
so Hal took two or three of the
rest of the boys into partnership, and
they laid for the good deacon. AS 8
result of having so many house-play
ers against him, it wasn't long be
fore the deacon had lost most of his
ready money. Then Hal loaned hin
some. This went, too. Hal kept THU
up until he had the deacon pretty wei
tangled up in debt. Then one day HI
suggested. casual like, that he needed
the money The deacon didn't hav'
it.
"'Then I'm afraid I'll have to SUI
for it, said Hal, in a kind Of ugl,
| way.
] "Of course this landed right i1ari
on the good deacon. Hal prohabl
couldn't recover gambling debt, bu
, he could put the deacon's reputation
> with the truly good back a good man
miles. After Hal had the deacon we
t scared, he sprang his proposition O
him.
> "T tell you what I'll do, deacon
t he said in a more kindly toni
d If you will let me have that bea
q until Elder Allison returns, I'll ca
:, our little account square. When th
Q elder gets back, will turn the bea
t over to you, and the elder won't kno'
o he has been absent from your f0ste
d ing care
). Deacon Stebbins was pretty 10,
Q GUS at getting out of debt on thes
t terms. He turned the bear over
Hal Jenkins, remarking as he did
e that the bears long suit was playin
= checkers Hal snorted at this.
q "'Checkers!' he said, mighty CO
4 temptuous like. That's no game [,
v either man or bear of his talents.
e teach this cherished pet of Elder
d lison's how to play a mans gam
Is When the elder returns and finds h
y. bear the best poker player in the cou
e. ty his heart ought to bubble ov
sr with gratitude towards Hal Jenkin
,r but l amt by any means sure tn
5. it will And Hal chuckled in a pleas
lie way to himself, there being small To-
1t lost between him and the elder
DR. "Of course, as soon as the bear W
little used to his new home he wal
le ed to show of his talents in the chez
u er.plavin9 line. being Justly proud
them. But Hal Just laughed O. c