Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-02-16


against the substitution of poker chips for
coin, and there were indications that the other
storekeepers were siding with him. Yes. it
an embarrassing situation. Perhaps the
acy to compel the retirement of poker chips
and were forcing them back on him! He was
in a gloomy frame of mind indeed when the
sheriff broke in on his reflections
Come on. Boke," said Johnson from the
doorway. Near time for the funeral, you
know"
Il amt a-going," said Doles shortly.
You amt a-what?"
a. amt a-going, said"
Look a-here!" said the sheriff indignantly:
Billy he asked us all to come, and we all
promised. And we promised for you too, durn
you! Boke. you stay out of this and the boys
II see to it that you stay out of everything.
Now, if you're going, gong. to see him OFT decent
Only for that vexed problem of the chips,
Doles would have pleased himself by remaining
at home. even though he had displeased every
body else by doing AS it was he made
ready grumblingy and went with the sheriff.
The new church was filled to its capacity.
The casket containing the body rested on
bier in front of the altar. After the services
Hapsworth spoke feelingly of his first meeting
with Britt, of their short but pleasant asso-
citation. and of his generosity to the church.
He had shouldered the project of building the
church at time when the minister himself
regarded the undertaking as hopeless, and the
substantial and cheerful structure in which
they were assembled to perform the last sad
rites for their departed friend might justly be
considered monument to him. 1t could be
said of him that, while not a professed Chris
tan, he had at the last shown himself to be
good man in the best sense of the word. He,
who had known him perhaps more intimately
in the few short weeks of their acquaintance
than many who had known him all his life
long, would not attempt to judge him, and
would only say that he mourned for him sim
cerely as a friend and would remember him
always in his prayers.
In Our last conversation, continued Haps-
worth, he named the gentlemen whom he de-
sired me to ask to serve as his pail bearers,
and he requested that he be carried by these
friends from the church to the cemetery One
of these gentlemen he long had held to be
enemy; but at the last he said that his feel
ing against him had been removed; and the
fact that he named him at all may be taken
as an indication that he not only forgave but
desired to be forgiven. In handing to me
the money to purchase the site for this church,
he requested me to select this spot, so that his
former enemy might always see the church
from his doorway and remember him. In the
building of the church itself, / have learned,
he even went so far as to request those working
on it to favor his former enemy with their
trade, and the builder of the church, /
told received instructions from him to pur
chase the necessary supplies from the same
person."
A great light broke in upon Boke Doles. He
bowed his head on his hands and groaned
aloud. This was Britt's revenge! He had
stacked not the cards but the chips against
him! And knowing that Britt never did
things by halves, Doles knew that he was well
done.
Il mention these things here and now"
Hapsworth went earnestly, lin the hope
that they may influence the gentleman re-
ferred to to grant the favor asked of him and
serve as pail bearer. These were the gentle
men selected" and he read the names:
"Mr. Sheriff Johnson, Mr.. William Pulliam,
Mr. Shadrach Beasley. Mr.. George Cranston,
Mr.. Boke Doles, and Rev. H. Hapsworth.
I'm not do it'll" Mr.. Doles muttered, half
rising in his seat
Yes, you will" Sheriff Johnson whispered
in his as he dragged him back to his place.
Yes you will. dunn your contrary hide, or
We'll cut you out of the herd for all time!''
And again the awful problem of the I'M
counted.chips outstanding against him, threat
ening ruin, compelled Boke Doles to act con-
trary to his hearts desire.
The new minister, walking solemn1y be-
hind him in the procession to the cemetery.
heard Doles groan dismally again and again,
and he imagined that he remorsefully re-
GREETING his conduct toward Britt.
On the other side of the coffin Shadrach
was talking with the sheriff. What gets
me-" he said, is that Billy told me old Boke
was really putting up more'n half the money
for the church. Now how you reckon he