The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1910-06-18
THE EVENING STORY
Flora.
(By Oswald Eastwood.N

When the Rev. Bede Pomeroy was
captain of the football team at
boy in the school to be "a right jolly
good fellow" Later as stroke in the
university crew. he was denominated
jolly good fellow" Throughout
his seminary course he was rated by
his fellow theologs as "a good fellow"
In the popular estimation he never
grew less; he was ever "a good fellow
to those who knew him.
1t was shock to his intimates
when he made public his intentions
OF becoming candidate for orders.
This was not because he had ever ex-
hibited any unf1tness for the calling
His life had been admirably correct
even In its minor details and he did
not require recreating to make him
ut for his chosen profession. But it
was a matter of great marvel to his
friends that one who had shown such
marked preference for the material
should find out, so suddenly, that the
spiritual possessed superior attractions
for him.
Long before he left the seminary
Pomeroy began to manifest q pas
sion for everything medieval In
an incredibly brief period he became
an authority on all the theological
doings of those interesting ages when
Journalism cut such a prominent fig
ure in public worship. In his Sec
ond year he had achieved the reputa-
ton of being inclined to asceticism,
although when questioned he limited
loosely that a growing tendency to
adiposity was responsible for his ap-
parent loss of appetite. In his last
year it was current that he had de-
veloped into mystic and it was hint
ed broadly that he wore hair shirt
When this latter piece of pious gossip
had awaited himself of that aid to
sanctity.
Being bright and scholarly and
exceedingly progressing in a per-
sona1 way, it was only natural that,
both before and after ordination. he
should have abundant opportunity to
place himself advantageously. He
might have made selection from half
Ia dozen. curacies which promised al
luringly in the way of speedy promo
ton, boundless social possibilities and
what not, but he amazed and almost
disguised his friends and relatives by
choosing as his field of labor one of
the most inconsequential parishes on
Long Island. small seashore village
which, for three or four months of
the year was kept awake by the COM
bined efforts of a score of cottagers
and the guests of a summer hotel on
the beach. and hibernated during the
remaining months. Eel Inlet was the
name of this undiscovered hamlet.
It Is probable that the chief reason
for the young mans strange prefer
ence might have been found in the
fact that one of his predecessors had
begun the erection of a tiny stone
chapel at Eel inlet of a design so
chastely Gothic that its moyen age
perfectio nhad inspired the Rev. Bede
with burning desire to see 1t carried
out to completion. Although the walls
were rooted in temporarily SO that SER
vices were held in the structure. it
was far from finished and all work on
it had ceased long ago for lack of
funds. All interest in its completion
had died out long before the new rec
tor had ever heard of Eel Inlet, and
the earnest and impassioned appeal
for funds to finish the building which
he made on his first Sunday fell on
unsympathetic ears.
"Oh, we wouldn't have anything
done to it for the world!" declared
one of the cottagers. It's so ex-
quisitely picturesque just as it stands
like a ruined charity. you know"
Disappointed, but not si1enced. the
rector determined to continue in his
effort to finish the little sanctuary. 1t
would require $1,000 and he was still
his education. ALI he could do by his
own personal effort was to persist in
his endeayor to move some stony heart
to a spasm of generosity.
One Sunday afternoon in late sum
mer. after the services were over and
way he stood in a contemplatfve mood
on the chancel steps, trying to picture
to himself how the choir would look
when completed. Ali at once he re-
hind him.
isn't it beautiful?" asked a timid
voice. He turned quickly and faced
a young woman.
'It's the best specimen of pure Gothic
on Long Island. incomplete as 1t is"
he answered.
She was q slight young woman in a
a simple white gown. The rector did
not know her and he had not noticed
her in his congregation. His face
place her, for she seemed slightly en-
1T do not belong here. have never
been inside the church until this after
noon" she explained.
"Are you a stranger to Eel Inlet ?"
he asked, with a proper show of in
terest.
.sThis Is my third summer she
said, land I am very late this year.
I came here only last night.
Indeed" he returned. as II that
was all that could be expected of him.
Then he remembered his duty as rec
tor and added: Strangers are al
ways very welcome to come here Il
like to come regularly expect to
remain here until rather late In the
season. should like"-she hesftated
and seemed at loss to find the words
81 should like to-to help finish the
chapel"
He inclined his head slightly in ac-
knowIedgment of her praiseworthy
asuiration, for he did not suppose
that it amounted to more than that.
"How much will 1t take 2" she con-
tinued.
ssFive thousand dollars"
She sighed and he accepted 1t as a
sign that her enthusiasm was about
over. He was certain of it when she
bowed and left him without another
word.
About noon of the following day he
received q check for 81, 900 made pay
able to the order of the Rev. Bede