Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1909-08-12

disease" his good old physician had
told him. and his congregation, after
he had tainted during service one even
ing. had packed him off. much against
his will, for a summer in the noun
taius.
So it was with a mingled feeling Of
annoyance and anticipation that he
left the hotel porch and hurried to his
room. Once there, he pulled out u bi-
cycle suit that had done q little service
a few years ago and. putting it on,
surveyed himself with a critical eye.
sort of spindle shanks l am, sure
enough" he grinned to himself as he
thought Of the sturdy figures of the
other men who We're to make up the
party. II suppose 1t would be a good
thing for me to get a little more flesh
on my bones"
I'VE thought we'd take the steam
launch to the Willows. as we feared
the hard tramp would be a little too
much for you, parson," said one of the
men. patting his shoulder genially, as
he Joined the group.
Tin sorry to have you change your
plans for me-" DR.. Meredith replied, a
little stifi1y, for he felt at a disadvan-
tage with these vigorous men.
ooh. we shall enjoy the SAIL" Miss
Curtis interrupted. noticing his annoy
ance. "And you must all drink in Il
great deal of this sweet, wholesome
air. When we get a little way from
land 1 want to try some new deep
breathing exercises that l read about
the other day"
"You see, DOCTOR" exclaimed another
man. you're in the hands Of a re-
former. an advocate of all sorts Of
newfangled notions. If you want to
save yourself from this reform move
ment, DR.. Meredith, you'd better get
right out now and swim ashore"
ooh, l think I'll venture to go on.
especially as l can't SWIM" replied
DR.. Meredith genially.
Cant swim" one of the other men
exclaimed. Wen have to give you a
lesson this afternoon, for vigorous ex-
ercise of all sorts is another plank in
u platform"
"No; you can't take DR.. Meredith in
swimming this afternoon" said Miss
Curtis decidedly. The water is too
cold for him vet. Wait till he has
breathed this invigorating air a little
longer"
ooh. I'm as we'll as began DR..
Meredith. but as he looked at the men
and women near him. who We're brim-
ming over with vitality, he hesitated.
He had intended to say, 81 am as we'll
as the rest of YOU" but, being q truth
full man, he could not. He might say.
CAS- l need to be-" but that was not
true either. How much better he
could do his work If he had the mus
Giles of these men, their breadth OF
chest and their vigor!. But before he
could think of a way to end his sen
tence some II exclaimed:
"Ch, no: you're not as we'll as you
can be. Well make another man OF
you in another month"
81 cannot stay another month. My
congregation needs me- he replied
quietly.
but your vacation was to last two
months. was it not?" Miss Curtis
asked. Most city pastors have that"
yes" the man admitted. MY peo-
pie did offer me two months, but" de-
cidedly. II do not intend to take so
long"
But, really. DR.. Meredith" Miss Cur
tbs said, you must not go back for an
other month"
ooh. l shall be as we'll as needs be
in a few days. the MAI replied stub
bornly, and at this moment the boat
bumped against the dock. and they
were at their destination.
1t had been years since John Mere
dith had INDUCED in a real picnic. At
first he hardly knew how to behave,
but soon he began to feel the spell of
''the open" and to come more into sym
pathy with his companions. That they
were right in thinking that Il good
body was a good thing he was obliged
to acknowledge to himself. and before
the day was over be was almost per
suaded that some of the tenets Of his
philosophy We're incorrect He ha(
about come to this conclusion when
late in the afternoon. they decided to
take Il walk to Il nearby farmhouse
On the way DR. Meredith Jagged be
hind. thinking many thoughts. He
was comparing himself. frail anG
tired. with these vigorous people an6
was considering how much more be
could do in the cause he loved If be
were we'll and strong. But would be
not be apt to forget the spiritual if h
spent so much thought and time upo1
the physical? Would he not become
as he feared these people were, tot
much absorbed in the joys Of living
Miss Curtis herself, charming will
her wonderful vitality, even lovabl'
in her sweet personality, was, he told
himself sharply, too insistent on phys
zeal we'll being.
He was trying to persuade himself
Of the truth of this last statemeu
when suddenly down the road came
whirl of dust, the noise Of escapin,
steam, a dozen piercing shrieks, and IL
q second the ruin Of q great tourin:
car, with it's mangled occupants, La.
before them