The commonwealth. (Greenwood, Miss.) 1896-1923, 1908-06-19

self, but I'm afraid for his moral
nature after my guidance Is removed
Deacon Stebbins promised he
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 a 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 n weakness 10.
the national game of poker. Once or
twice a week he used to drop down
to Hal jenkins tavern and take a
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 of the boys were.
Not liking to leave the previous bear
at home, the deacon used to take him
with him in these little excursions
into haunta of vice, OF course the
talents of the bear made him popular
with the boys at the tavern poker
room, he being a bear that would have
won social success in any city, and
the more Hal jenkins saw of the bear
the more determined he was to pos
sess him, permanently, If he could; If
not, then temporarily.
at last Hal tried to buy the bear.
but of course Deacon Stebbins had
no authority to sell the elders cher.
ished rt. 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
IN things Of this world. This didn't
please Hal overmuch and made him
mor determined 10 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 a
result Of having 50 many house.play.
ers against him, It 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 Ike, that he needed
the money, The deacon didn't have
II.
Then I'm afraid III have TO sue
for IT, said Hal, In a kind Of ugly
way.
"Of course this landed right hard
on Tho good deacon. Hal probably
couldn't recover a gambling debt, but
he could put the dcacon's reputation
vita the truly good back a good many
miles After Hal had the deacon well
scared, he aprang his proposition on
him,
81 tell you what I'll do, deacon
he said In n more kindly tone.
" you will let ma have that bear
until Elder Allison returns, III cal,
our little account square. When the
rldsr gets back. I win turn the bear
over 10 you, and tho elder won't know
he has been absent from your foster.
Ing care
Deacon Htebbips wal pretty low.
Gus ~ getting out Of debt on these
terms II" turned the bear over IN
tiai ~Jenkinh. rcmnrking an no did II
that The bears long suit was playing
checkers Hal Enoftod at this.
Checkers" he said, mighty con.
iefhptDduh lika, That's no game for
slthar mai OF bear OF his talents, m
teach this cherished pet Of Elder Al.
ltson's how 10 play o mans game
When the elder roturna and nnas his
bear The best poker player In the conn.
~ HIS heart ought TO bubble oycr
With gratitude towards Hal Jenkins.
but aih't ny any means sure TIM,
u WIN And iiai chuchlcd Ia d plca,sd