The Brattleboro daily reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1913-1955, 1913-03-14

to him that be might throw upon my
shoulders certain work for which he
had not been educated. On the whole,
was it not better for him to risk CIV
ing himself away to me and secure my
help than to risk giving himself away
to a number of persons?
Il 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 a 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. l had in
tended to address them at length, but
after a few preliminary remarks l
will step aside for you
1T will give me great pleasure to
do what l can" | replied. Mean
while l will leave with you some leaf
lets showing what we have done in
India and what we hope to do hereaft-
er. You may be able to scatter them
81 ludl tl1eN VII DedE l1u4l.
Grasping his hand cordially-it was
cold as a stone-I departed, breathing
freely again when l got away from
him, for realized that should knowl-
edge of my game come to him he
would send a bullet crashing into my
brain-that is, if one of the Derringers
in my sleeve could not be drawn
quicker than the weapons he doubtless
carried under his coat.
l resolved to keep my own counsel
and continue to do my work unassisted.
During the day | found a swift horse
and hired a boy to have him at the hall
ready for me before the meeting was
over. That is the only preparation l
made. At s o'clock. attended by my
host. | sailed forth TO give a lecture
on missionary work in India, for a part
of which | would draw on the material
had brought with me, and for the rest
l 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 a church,
and | was surprised to hear him state
his case remarkably well.
When he had finished he introduced
me as a missionary just returned from
India, and | began my lecture. FOrtu-
nately l have always had faculty for
making persons believe | know a sub
tect on which | am ignorant and they
helped me out, though seeing hundreds
of faces turned toward me in sympa-
thy for the poor heather l could not ban
fCh of hn
After | had closed my lecture my
colleague spoke 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 a table be-
fore the originator OF the movement
who gathered it, tied it up in his hand
| kerchief and put it in his pocket. l was
watching him rs 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 UT
/ | grasped The Eels hand and told hin
/ that l would see him the next morn
! ing. He assured me that he would b,
| happy to meet me. thanked me for my
valuable assistance in the good wOrl
and hoped he might have an oppor
/ tunity to reciprocate. went dOwI
! before lie did by a back staircase into
an alley, took off my clericals and ap
peared in plain clothes. My horse wa
waiting for me. and when The Eel ap
peared followed him as he walked t.
the house of his host.
Owing to his unblushing erfrontery
i presumed that lie would get out o
town with the plumber immediatel!
after the meeting. and for this reason
/ had procured the horse. When h'
went into the house where he had beer
staying | knew he would either slip on
during the night or remain in tow
longer for additional swag. Tying IN.
horse to post near by. resolved on
night watch
The last light in the house went on
at II O'clock Soon after II the from
door opened softly and a man emerged
He made no sound in his steps. and
judged he wore rubbcrs Growing frou
the sidewalk was tree large enoug
for concealment. and | stood behind ii
Whichever way the man went he mus
turn his back to me, | suffered hir
to pass only few feet when l CAV
quick sharp command;
Hands up
| saw him start. He dare not dis
obey He put his hands above hi
head. advanced, gripped his coat CO
lar with one hand, my fingers presse
on his neck, and with the other hel
the muzzle of my pistol against tn
back of his head.
Having him completely in my powe
| called out to his host, who raised
, window, and asked him to con-
down When he did so | told him wh'
had happened and asked him to reliey
: his reverend guest of what he coul
find on his person. He drew forth Il