Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1913-06-13

to a number of persons2
81 shall be happy for your assistance,
Brother Ridgeway," he said. you, hav'
ing lived In India, will be able to In
terest these people in way that would
be impossible for me and thus induce
them to give freely to the building of
a church, which, as you say, is the
first step for them to take. A meet
ing has been called for this evening
in the town hall of such as are favor
ably disposed to the work. 1 had In |
tended to address them at length, but |
after few preliminary remarks /
will step aside for you"
at will give me great pleasure to |
do what l can," replied. "Mean-
while will leave with you some leaf
let's showing what we have done in |
India and what we hope to do hereaft- |
err. You may be able to scatter them |
so that they will bear fruit"
Grasping his hand cordially-it was
cold as stone-I departed, breathing
freely again when I got away from
him, for l realized that should knowl-
edge Of my game come to him he
would send bullet crashing into my
brain-that is, II one of tho Derringers
in my sleeve could not be drawn
quicker than the weapons he doubtless
carried under his coat
resolved to keep my own counsel
and continue to do my work unassisted.
During the day found swift horse
and hired boy to have him at the hall
ready for me before the meeting was
over. That is the only preparation l
made. At 8 o'clock. attended by my
host, l sailed forth to give n lecture
on missionary work In India, for part
had brought with me, and for the rest
would draw on my Imagination. My
colleague called the meeting to order,
said that he had come among them In
order to induce them to build church,
and was surprised to hear him state
his case remarkably well.
W he had finished he introduced
me rs Il missionary Just returned from
India, and began my lecture. Fortu-
nateiy have always had faculty for
making persons believe know a sub
ject on which | am ignorant and they
helped me out, though seeing hundreds
of faces turned toward me In sympa-
thy for the poor heather could not ban
fish guilty feeling at the imposture.
After l had closed my lecture my
colleague spoke n few words as to the
duty of giving literally that those pres
ent might have a place for worship
and called upon several prominent citi-
zens present to pass the hat. The col
lection was then poured on n table bo-
fore the originator Of the movement,
who gathered 1t, tied 1t up In his hand
kerchief and put 1t in his pocket. was
watching him ms he did so and was
probably the only one present who de-
tected the cunning, covetous look he
could not entirely conceal.
While the meeting was breaking up
grasped The Eel's hand and told him
that | would see him the next morn
ing. He assured me that he would be
happy to meet me, thanked me for my
valuable assistance In the good work
and hoped he might have an oppor-
tunity to reciprocate went down
before he did by back staircase into
an alley, took Off my clericals and mp
peared In plain clothes My horse was
waiting for me, and when The Eel mp
peared / followed him ms he walked to
the house OF his host
Owing to his unblushlng effrontery,
| presumed that he would get out Of
town with the plumber Immediately |
after the meeting, aud for this reason |
! had procured the horse. When he |
went into the house where no had been
staying knew he would either slip out /
during the night or remain In town
longer for additional swag. Tying my
horse to a post near by, resolved on n
night watch.
The last light In the house went out
at II o'clock. Soon after IL the front
door opened softly and man emerged.
lie made no sound In his steps. and |
Judged he wore rubbers. Growing from
the sidewalk was n tree large enough
for concealment, and stood behind II.
Whichever way the man went he must
turn his back to me. | suffered him
to pass only few feet when | gave
n quick sharp command:
Glands up" r
saw him start lie dare not dis
obey. lie put bis hands above his
head. ! advanced, gripped his coat col
lar with one hand. my fingers pressed
on his neck, and with the other held
the muzzle of my pistol against the
back of his head.
Having him completely in my power. {
I called out to his host. who raised
window, and asked him TO come
down. When he did 30 told him what
had happened and asked him TO relieve
his reverend guest Of what he could
find on his person. He drew forth tho
wrapped In handkerchief.
wo small pistols. n a caliber revolver
and knife foot long--strange be
ongings for n clergyman.
Well we took The Eel TO the mayors
iouse, where I stood guard over him
Ill morning. The citizens Of the place
we're 30 indignant ut the swlndle that
nd been attempted on them that
hey turned him over 10 vigilance
who took tho villain out
md hanged him TO n tree in the old -
fashioned way.
II is needless 10 say that ! found
myself very popular among the people
had served They said had earned
he amount Of tho collection by my
very interesting and instructive Ice a.
ure on India" and offered II TO me- -
declined, snying that II had been Civ. I
n for n church and must be 10 used.
am happy 10 say that the edifice II