El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1911-07-15
The Her AIDS
Daily Short Story
When the Elder Stood Pat

for the new church. I will make q
proposition TO you. You know that
while my means are small, yet 1 am
not dependent upon the salary you
pay 1t will mean retrenchment and
privatton. but 1 will serve the church
without salary until the new church
is built could not accept any more
money from you. and 1 will engage 10
raise the money for the church within
a year or give up the pastorate. /
leave the proposition with you.
thank brother Dixon for his warm de-
fence. and request that he be the one
delegated to bring me the news OF your
decision"
The old pastor bowed to his trustees
and walked through the door into the
parsonage where his wife sat waiting
for him.
'T think you are crazy" was the
first comment of his wife when he re-
tailed to her his speech to the trus-
tees Not that mind about the salary
you know that, William. I feel about
that just as you do. 1 couldn't eat a
mouthful bought with the money OF
Somers and that crowd, and we'll get
along someway. But where in the
world are you going to raise money
for that church? And If you fail, II
Will make you feel just Inot nuCH
worse a year from now"
1.-The Lord will provide" said her
husband, with the touch of belief so
other-worldly in It's child like sincerity
that his practical little wife had al
ways been awed by II.
He took the daily newspaper and sat
down by the window to read as calm
~ as if there were no session of his
trustees in the next room. But his
calmness vanished few moments later
when he sprang 10 his feet and waved
the paper over his head like boy.
I've got It." he shouted. I've got
it."
Got what?" demanded his wife.
THE church." he returned. mo. I'm
not going to tell you. II 1 succeed
I'll tell you. If fail. I never will"
He was interrupted by rap at the
door from the church and at his call
Of welcome the blacksmith came awk-
wardly into the room.
They've accepted your proposition.
elder" he said, and then Strengthening
himself. he added. Damn 'em." The
minister's wife clapped her hands while
her husband tried to look shocked and
failed. There was too much balm in
the heartfelt expletive from the lips Of
his defender for him 70 chide the man.
After Dixon had taken himself rather
shamefacedly away, the minister PEE
pared for a short trip. I'll be back
before bedtime" he promised his wife,
and walked as swiftly as his stiffencd
limbs would permit to the railroad
station, where he took a train to the
county seat, a large railroad junction,
80 miles ride from his home.
The private car. Isola, belonging to
the multimillionaire president of one
Of the roads whose junction lay at the
county seat was drawn up at a siding
and its owner was modify gazing into
space. while his companion, man Of
his own age. was making desultory
efforts to draw him from his gloom.
Some men wouldn't have a crouch
going to Reno" he observed. But
sal errand of getting matrimonially I'M
twisted you've got face that's got
the morning after countenance faded
to a FRAGILE"
fShut up" growled the railroad mag
nate, then snarled again when the
darby factotum brought in a card.
Il told you 1 wouldn't see anybody
again" he said.
Yes sah." said the darkey. but this
heah old party he says he's a minister.
sab, sab, and you know him very well,
sab. he says to tell you he married you.
sab"
What the devil?@' the presiden.
seized the card. 1.-The Rev. William