Norwich bulletin., 1912-05-25
IACK-IN-T N-THE-PULPIT

for the remaining nine months of the year the land was only barren stretch of yellow sand unbroken save for unsightly derricks. Here Jack found the deselation of q rude camp, with hot unpaved streets filled with men, dusty automobiles, and mule teams t,is people housed in temporary shanties of the most comfortless de- scription. By systematic work under his leadership, the place was greatly changed Asphalt streets were lined with substantial business blocks, and cozy bungalows took the lace of the miserable dwellings, and Coalinga de- veloped into model town despite US unfavorable surroundings.
 But as was said before, the region offered a profitable investment for capital, and many an eastern man came thither, willing to endure the discomfort and privation for time TOT the sake of acquiring the fortune of- fered to him. To most of them Coal inga was pointed out as showing the possibilities of the location, if only the energies of those interested were right ly used.
 Among those who came to these oil- fields with a view of investment were a group of men from John Noyes's old eastern home.
 Coalinga was mentioned as a pros porous center of traffic, and there they went to investigate it's advantages. Ar irving late in the day, they were told of a meeting of the men interested in upbuilding of the place. The strang- CTS were cordially invited to attend as- sured that they would hear something worth listening to, for the man to ad- dress them was well-posted on the needs of the place and always made his hearers enthusiastic over any project which he advocated You see he had done SO much for the town already" said one, that we are ready to fol- low his leadership wherever it may take us. You had better go to hear him"
 And so they did. The speaker prov ed to be all that was promised for him and more, too. They found some | thing familiar in his manner, and at | first could not trace it. Suddenly it oc- | cured to one of the group that the man talking to them was called John | Moves, and, as the evening sped on, one little trick of manner after another revived old memories, and the whisper was passed about among them, Its | Jack in- -the-Pulpit" Same old trick of throwing back his head and look 1 ing one straight in the face" said an- other. Wonder if he would know us, 5 queried a third, and all decided to speak to him at the close of the meet ing. He knew them at once, and a glad reunion 1t was. :"Still playing
 Preaching laughed one. But we thought you lived on the coast in stead of here.' said another. land were surprised to find Jack-in- tn Pulpit out here in the desert"
 Yes" replied Jack, "the only home know is in the city, but after this week I am to have one of my own You're just in time fo rthe wedding which will take place in Pasadena Then my home for the present will be here in Coalinga, where l am to repre- sent my uncie's firm and look after his interests in the oil-flelds. It does my heart good to see you all, and heal the old nickname. l have an endless number of questions to ask, but they
 must wait for another time. Remem-
 Der, though, you're booked for tht
 wedding, and are sure of hearty
 welcome from the bride. She knowt
 of my old home and its surroundings
 and will gladly meet any friends O l Jack in- -the-Pulpit." IDLER.