Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1909-06-17


ing. had packed him off. much against
his will. for a summer in the noun
tains
SO 1t 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 bi-
cycle suit that had done a little service
q few years ago and putting 1t on,
surveyed himself with n critical eye.
"Sort of spindle shanks ! am. sure
enough" he grinned to himself as he
thought Of the sturdy figures Of the
other men who were to make up the
party. 81 suppose 1t would be 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
I'm sorry to have you change your
plans for me-" DR.. Meredith replied.
little stlfiiy. for he felt at disadvan-
tage with these vigorous men.
"Oh. we shall enjoy the SAIL" Miss
Curtis interrupted. noticing his annoy
ance. And you must all drink In a
great deal Of this sweet wholesome
air When we get q little way from
land | want to try some new deep
breathing exercises that | 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 II you want to
save yourself from this reform move
ment, Dr. Meredith. you'd better get
right out now and swim ashore"
"Oh, | think I'll venture to go on.
especially as can't swim." replied
DR.. Meredith genially.
Cant swim!" one Of the other men
exclaimed. We'll have to give you a
lesson this afternoon. for vigorous ex-
ercise Of all sorts is another plank in
our platform"
mo; you can't take DR.. Meredith In
swimming this afternoon" said Miss
Curtis decidedly. "The water Is too
cold for him yet Wait till he has
breathed this invigoratlng air little
longer"
"Oh. I'm as we'll as began DR..
Meredith but as he looked at the men
and women near him, who were brlm-
ming over with vitality. he hesitated.
He had intended to say. 81 am as well
as the rest Of YOU" but. being truth
full man, he could not. He might say.
"As | need to be-" but that was not
true either. How much better he
could do his work II he had the mus
cles of these men, their breadth OF
chest and their vigor! But before he
could think Of way to end his SEN
tence some one exclaimed:
"Oh, no; you're not as well as you
can be. Well make another man OF
you in another month"
~ cannot stay another month. My
congregation needs me-" he replied
quietly.
"But your vacation was to last two
months. was 1t 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
tis said. you must not go back for an
other month"
"Oh | shall be as we'll as needs be
in few days" the man 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 I'm thinking that good
body was a good thing he was obliged
to acknowledge to himself and before
the day was over he was almost per-
suaded that some Of the tenets OF his
philosophy were incorrect. He had
about come to this conclusion when.
late In the afternoon. they decided to
take walk to nearby farmhouse.
On the way Dr. Meredith Jagged be-
hind. thinking many thoughts. He
was comparing himself. frail and
tired. with these vigorous people and
was considering how much more he
could do in the cause he loved II he
were well End strong But would he
not be apt to forget the spiritual ii he
spent so much thought and time upon
the physical? Would he not become,
as he feared these people were. too
much absorbed In the joys Of living?
Miss Curtis herself, charming with
her wonderful vitality, even lovable
In her sweet personality, was. he told
himself sharply, too insistent on phys
ical well being.
He was trying to persuade himself
Of the truth Of this last statement
when suddenly down the road came
whlrl of dust, the noise Of escaping
steam, a dozen piercing shrieks, and In
q second the ruin Of great touring
car. with its mangled occupants. lay
before them.
Instantly DR.. Meredith and his COM
panions rushed forward. but at the
sight of the flowing blood the clergy
man found himself growing faint.
Half dazed, he leaned against tree
and watched the others stanching the
streams Of blood. binding up broken
arms and 'mprovsing litters Were
these the men whom he had so read
fly condemned as idlers in the vine-
ward? Was this the woman whom he
had thought "mere butterAyT Must
he stand aside while these people did
their deeds Of kindness?
He tried to pull himself together and
move toward them but his eyes closed
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