The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1909-07-01
THE EVENING STORY
Barbara's Donation.
(By Elizabeth Van Nest. }

If the young minister had been of a
Sangulne, easily satisfied temperament
ne might nave accommodated himself
70 circumstances and drifted along as
ms predecessors had done. But James
morgan brought the enterprise of a
MODERN theologian to the little ham
let, struggling down either side of a
nigh NH, on a summit of which perch
ed the church. like a snow-temple.
AS the church occupied the center
OF the village, the young minister reas-
oneo that 1t ought to be the center
OF interest also. But try as he would
ne could not awaken the devotional
spirit His parishioners were niggard-
~ IN their offerings, the attendance
mons We're lost on the slow-thinking
Worshipers; his musical departures
were a failure.
But the Rev. Mr.. Morgan did not
despair. He had the square law that
accompanies the aggressive nature.
Inc elasticity of his hopes was phe-
nomenal He simply would not be dis
couraged. He had accepted the call in
Iuu knowledge Of the drawbacks. The
score OF shabby houses classed under
the name OF haywood represented only |
a 1.-THE of the church membership. 1t
was the prosperous farmers whose in
difference he must change and con-
Quer with his eloquence.
so James Morgan brought to May
WOOD large stock of air-castle ma
terfa1 with which he beguiled his Ieis-
ure- He would institute many reforms
Inc church should escape from an |
enVelop1ng mortgage, and, assuming a |
paying basis, make many missions glad |
from its plenty. 1t should be the /
handspring, social and ecclesiastical, |
on which the village turned. He even ,
proposed that the parsonage be let and |
Inc, the proceeds devoted to the county |
hospital, a proposal that met with I'M |
anlmous approval, and the minister |
took up his residence under Widow |
Fleming's roof
INIT
Things moved smoothly. The new min
1ster found work to do wherever he |
looked And, being generous, he for
got TO be cautious when need pulled |
az ms purse strings. Hardly realizing |
IT. he at length found his generosity
must be governed by his means until |
he received his first quarters salary.
But at the end of the second quarter
paid. With board bill two weeks in
delinquency, the minister, blushing
and stammering, informed his parish
toner's of their negligence
While their profuse excuses salts
fled him, he could not see his way
clear to satisfy Mrs. Fleming. The
fact that wheat was a failure would
not recompense her for his board and
lodging. Therefore, the Rev. Mr.. Nor
gan did the only thing possible from
his point of view. He went to the city
next day with a mysterious package.
Shortly after the doctor drove three
was Informed that he had disposed OF
1t.
"I have so little time for expert
ments, you know" he explained with
color. al could use the
money to better advantage"
From this emanated a rumor that
At length reached Barbara Deans ears.
The new minister was so philanthropic
he had given up his pet hobby to aid
the poor.
A wee and tirnid question mark set
Itself upon her heart. Perhaps she
mad been hasty. There was none quite
ike him-so big, so firm, so brave. 1t
was very singular that he had not
asked again-he who, in theory scorn-
I'd defeat. Pretty Barbara did not
znow that the hope crushed by her
aughing no was the only inelastic one
n his stock of dreams.
AS the third quarter drew to a close
without remuneration the minister
mentioned the fact again, this time
With fewer bushes and grayer air. j
His needs were urgent. Day after day j
lie scanned the mail anxiously for the
check, only to be disappoint-
ID. But. appreciating the hard times.
other trips to the city with mysterious !
packages were made.
Returning from one of these visits
me night Mr.. Morgan was surprised :
o see a motley collection of teams and I
-ehicles around Widow Fleming's =
rate Lights shone from every win
low of the cottage, including his study
n. minister
md in no mood to participate in a
urprise party on his landlady. But, =
moving her limited space. it would
,e churlish to demand privacy. He q
lowed her apartments into his, with y
ministerial welcome. Forcing the
veariness from his face he ran light
Y up the steps and opened his study Q
oor.
Ranged around the wall was a solid
ow of chairs, from which smiling faces r
lowed upon him in welcome. Overrun- S
ing the center table and piled on the
eemed to be the stock of grocery
tore He singled out sack of flour
nd various stone jugs with corncob
tOpperS as he picked his way to a Q,
mall oasis of bare floor beyond. But,
tumbling against one of the bulging liz
the paper burst and stream 81
f walnuts poured forth.
Pardon mel he gasped, trying to c,
epair the damage on his knees. Every
of me- I'm sure" 81
The silence was portentous. and 3,
ushed with confusion, the minister
)oked I'D straight into Barbara Deans -
yes. The light in them, tantalizing, !,
was his undoing. The wal -
uts slipped from his grasp and, strik- a.
lg another bag, liberated peck of T.
opcorn. He stood up guiltily. 40
"Please forgive me, Mrs Fleming" .,
e apologized. 81 am sorry if my l.
has disclosed your gifts G
30 soon"
They're not Mis- Flemings,' cor g
acted Deacon Brown. They're yours. l.
We thought we'd give you a donation
tead of money. Times are SO hard" ir
The Rev. Mr.. Morgan unconsciously g
acked a step. For me? But. deacon,
have no use for these-er-raw COM OIL
lodities. It is very kind of you-but b:
but
Besides this, there's a side of meat IN
nd a firkin of butter outside" put in ~
IRIS. Fleming, proudly. Now, that
ou've seen Them Ia better take the g,
iolasSes outs ~. - so Halh III Il
ere ptCA-iAS ~ ~ - - y06S' "