Audubon County journal. (Exira, Iowa) 1884-1993, 1912-11-07
the minister of BIS own accord. 8
Daniels's guns were spiked end b

UanIele'S guns were spiked a0Q ne
didn't have no chance at Iall. How
ever, you'd never have guessed tito
look st him. He marched into that
meetin' and up to the platform as stiff
ana dignified as II he'd swaIlered 2
peck Of starch. He called the meetin'
to order-'twas a full one, for all
hands and the cook was there-and
then got up to speak. q
He opened fire right OF. He raled
John EIlery fore and att. The par
son. he said, had disgraced the So
ciety and his sacred profession and
should be hove overheard immediate.
Three or four sung out Question
and Vote But Elkanah held up his
hand.
Gentlemen says he, before ask
for the vote want to say just one
word. I've worshiped In this meetin'
house ever sence was child. was
christened in it; my father worshiped
here afore me; I've presided over the
| meetin's Of this body for years. But
tell you now that if you vote to keep
that rascally hypocrite in your pulpit
shall resign from the committee
and from the society. It'll be like
cuttin' off my right hand, but shall
do 1t. Are you ready for the vote?
Those in favor of retaining the pres
ent minister Of this parish will rise.
Those opposed will remain seated"
Every man on the floor stood up.
Daniels himself was the only one that
stayed settin' down.
1t is a VOTE says he, white as
sheet, and his voice trembling. Gentle
men, bid you good day.
HE took up his hat and cane, give
one look around the vestry, as II he
were sayin' good-by to it, and march
ed down the aisle as straight and
starchy as he'd come into it. Only.
when he reached the door, he put up
one hand as II he was steadyin' him
self. Their was precious few In that
vestry that liked Elkanah Daniels, but
I'm bettin' high there want one
who didn't feel sorry for him then"
Captain Daniels and his daughter
moved to Boston that summer. They
never came back to Trumet to live.
Annabel remained single until after
her fathers death; then she married
q man very much younger and poorer
than she was. 1t was remarked by &C
quaintances Of the couple that the diff
ference In age became less and less
apparent as their married life con-
tinued.
On q, Sunday morning, a few weeks
after the committee meeting, the Reg
ular church was crowded. John Ell
lery was to preach his first sermon
since the San Jose came ashore. Ev-
cry member Of the congregation was
present. Even Mrs. Prince. feeble
but garrulous. was there. Gaius
Winslow, having delivered his brood
Of children at the church door, made
a special trip in his carryall to fetch
the old lady. Captain Zebedee and
Mrs. Mayo beamed from their pew.
DR.. Parker and his wife smiled at
them across the aisle. Didama Rogers
new bonnet was work Of art and
her neck threatened to twist itself off
as she turned to see each one who
came in.
Lavinia Pepper sailed to the front.
She was dressed In new black al
paca which rustled SO very much like
silk that nearsighted people might
have been deceived by 1t. With her
was man, apparently suffering from
strangulation because of the height
and tightness Of his collar. Its Ca
leb Pratt. from Sandwich" whispered
Didama. Thankful Payne's relation.
you know. Have you heard what folks
are sayin'? guess it's true. because
Il Look at Ryan! you'd think he was
goin' to his own funeral.
There was stir at the door. All
heads swung in that direction-all
but Mr.. Peppers. that is. The minis
ter and Grace were coming up the
aisle and behind them came Captain
Nat Hammond and Keziah Coffin. Nat
was smiling and self-possessed. New
er before in his life had he entered
the Regular meeting house as a
worshiper. but he seemed to be bear
ing the ordeal bravely. It was Grace's
flrst visit to the church, also, and she
was plainly embarrassed. To be stared
at by eighty-odd pairs Of eyes. and to
catch whispered comments from the
starers' tongues, Is likely to embar-
| rasB one.
Yet the comments were all friendly.
Il declared" whispered Mrs. Prince.
II never see her look SO pretty afore.
knew she was the best lookin' girl
in this town. but never realized she
was such beauty. Well, there's
one thing sartin'-we've got the hand
soonest parson and parsons wife In
this county. by about ten mile and
four rows Of apple trees. And there's