Charlevoix county herald. (East Jordan, Mich.) 189?-1953, 1908-02-01

self, but I'm afraid for his moral
nature after my guidance Is removed
Deacon Stebbins promised he
would be 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 q
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 denied his bank-roll, he not
being the player Hal Jenkins and
some Of the rest CT 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
III w.
please Hal overmuch and made him
more determined to get the bear.
$50 Hal took two or three Of the
rest Of the boys into partnership, and
they laid for the good deacon. AS q
result of having so many house-play-
ers against him, 1t wasn't long be-
fore the deacon had lost most of his
ready money. Then Hal loaned him
some. This went, too Hal kept this
up until he had the deacon pretty well
tangled up in debt. Then one day he
suggested. casual like, that he needed
the money. The deacon didn't have
it.
""Then I'm afraid Ill have to sue
for it, said Hal, in a kind of ugly
way.
"Of course this landed right hard
on the good deacon. Hal probably
couldn't recover a gambling debt, but
he could put the deacon's reputation
miles. After Hal had the deacon we'll
scared, he sprang his proposition on
him.
az tell you what I'll do, deacon,
he said in a more kindly tone.
If you will let me have that bear
until Elder Allison returns, I'll call
our little account square. When the
elder gets back, l will turn the bear
over to you, and the elder won't know
he has been absent from your foster
ing care
Deacon Stebbins was pretty Joy.
Gus at getting out of debt on these
terms. He turned the bear over to
Hal Jenkins, remarking as he did It
that the bears long suit was playing
checkers. Hal snorted at this.
'Checkers! he said. mighty con-
temptuous like. That's no gamo for
either man or bear of his talents. I'll
teach this cherished pet OF Elder AL
lson's how to play a mans game.
When the elder returns and finds his
bear the best poker player in tho coun.
ty his heart ought to bubble over
with gratitude towards Hal jenkins;
but l amt by any means suro that
il will And Hal chuckled in pleased
way to himself. there being small love
lost between him and the elder.
"Of course. as soon as the bear was
a little used to his new home no want.
ed to show of his talents In the check
er-playing line. being Justly proud OF