Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1912-10-03

rather than those indefinite but more
picturesque Idolaters in some foreign.
spice laden land.
And now" he ended vigorously.
''show your desire TO help along the
great cause, whether at home or
abroad. Demonstrate your willingness
to live up to your protestations Of
gratitude to the one who has prosper
ed you. Come and lay your chiefest
treasures in this aims basin. Gomez
There was an uneasy rustling among
ed toward the door.
stop" cried the preacher. And he
emphasized the command by produc-
ing two blue n1uzzled revolvers. "Dea-
con Pringle. kindly lock the door and
lay the key on the table. Thank you!
Ny hearers, this is merely one of my
peculiar methods of exhortation. Now
1 am ready to receive your offerings.
Who will be the first one to come for
ward?''
Somebody creaked up the aisle and
gravely deposited a silver coin II the
aims basin that was placed on the ia
BILE beside the key. Another followed
and still another, but the amounts
were small and evidently displeasing
to the preacher.
Now, all the persons in the front
seats come forward and lay their Of
ferlngs In this basket. No matter how
humble ii is, it will be appreciated. I
demand that you, as Christians. divest
yourselves of gold and silver Jewelry
and Of precious stones and place them
here for the use of the poorv'
Come, Brother Pringle; you may
lead the way with your gold watch.
A silver timepiece will answer your
purposes, and maybe some poor sin
ner may be clothed and fed and warm
ed with the proceeds. Sister Beesley,
your garnet brooch will not come
amiss, and the brother who wears the
large seal ring must offer that as evil
dence of his good faith. Those Of you
who can may redeem whatever you
please with good money tomorrow
morning before the church service, but
l require that every man and woman
In this room contribute something"
And they did. They came forward.
protesting mildly in the face OF those
blue muzzled revolvers that seemed to
follow each individual doggedly around
until a contribution of some sort had
been made. There were indignation,
rage and despair among the good peo-
| pie of Smithville as they sullenly d.
vested themselves of jewels in lieu of
money.
Deacon Pringle compromised on a
! fifty dollar note instead of his gold
watch, and those who knew the dea-
cons avarice smiled even as they were
called upon to deliver up their portion.
When the meeting was declared clos
ed and the revolvers were dropped
back in Mr.. Kidder's capacious pock-
cts Deacon Pringle unlocked the door.
There was a wild rush for departure,
and not one friendly hand was out
stretched to the cowboy preacher, nor
did one person express any pleasure or
profit derived from his eloquent dis
course. Even the Pringles departed
abruptly. and Mr.. Storer. who had ut
tered frightened CALCULATIONS during
the sensational discourse of the visit
ing preacher, stood mutely waiting for
his brother cleric.
Smiling bitterly, the Rev. Jackson
Kidder lifted the trimming aims basin
and placed it in the hands Of the pas
| tor.
Brother" he said quietly, "tomor-
row morning return these ornaments
to the owners. God wants nothing Civ
| uiaIn
Tell them to talk less about loving and
giving. Impress upon them the neces'
sity for actually doing these things
generously. unostentatiously. l regret
that cannot keep my engagement to
preach to your people tomorrow.
am sure that they will not be disap-
pointed"
With a quick shake of the bewildered
pastors limp hand and a murmured
blessing on him and his indignant flock
the cowboy preacher passed swiftly
from the church and strobe toward the
railroad station.
His going was unattended by any
curiosity or interest. Few saw him
leave and none cared Once he paused
and chuckled softly TO himself: IF II
hadn't been for Willie Bakers indig.
pant letter Shich he slipped into the
barrel should never have come down
here. You bring back my knifer he
commanded. Well. Willie was honest
about it anyway" he ended, with a
sigh.
Before he reached the station patter.
fpg footsteps came behind him, and he
turned to see Willie Baxter, painting
and breathless.
Say mister" gasped Billy repent,
antly. I'm sorry about that knife.
sneaked out OF bed and saw you com
ing up the street. so followed you.
want you to give this knife to your
little 'Dolphus with my regards" be
ended shamefacedly. FOR the cowboy
preacher had taken Willie in his arms
and kissed him tenderly.
81 will he said solemnly. And as
the train bore him away he smiled
thOuGhtfully. who shall say II has
been in vain?" he murmured.