Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1913-04-21


er preaching a sermon a collection
would be taken up for the establish
ment of a church in some place where
there was no church.
One Saturday I started for the vii
lage of o., containing a more civilized
community than most towns in the ter
ritory, for the purpose of raising funds
for a church to be erected in B.,
town overrun with gambling saloons
and other dens of iniquity. l took with
me a sermon | had used in behalf of
G. when it was the wickedest place in
New Mexico, but which, under the in
fiuence of church that had been built
largely through my efforts. had become
a model town. I would substitute the
name of the latter place instead of the
former whenever it occurred in my
text.
StagecOach was the only means of
travel in those days. and a coach was
my conveyance. 1t was full when we
started. but here and there a passenger
alighted, till at last but one man was
left. He was not an attractive man to
talk to, but l invariably made friends
while travelling, never knowing when
/ might find a helper in my work. /
had chatted promiscuously with the
passengers. and when left alone with
the man / have mentioned devoted my
self to Him.
Thinking to interest him in the good
work in which | was engaged, / told
him what | was doing-how by build
81, L, =. IL ~,
the people in a place became changed
and not only was the spiritual condi-
ton of the town improved but an in
! crease of property values followed. He
asked me about my present mission,
and ! told him that / was on my way
TO o. to speak in the Episcopal church
| there in behalf of church to be erect
| ed in a town reeking with vice.
! He seemed much interested, and little
( by little told him how / was to pro-
/ coed; that had my sermon in my bag
/ and would preach it the next day
/ Sunday-after the morning service. He.
/ inquired If | knew persons connected
with the congregation, and | admitted
/ that l had never seen or so far as |
J
town. He asked me to let him look at
my sermon, and I did SO. He glanced
over it, slowly turning the leaves and
reading portions here and there, which
he could easily do, for it was typewrit-
ten. Then, turning to me. he said:
I've met a good many stupid ga
loots in my day. but you take the cake.
What's to prevent my going to o. ia
your priestly clothes, delivering your
sermon and lighting out with the col
lection?'
Thinking the man to be Joking. re
piled that / didn't see anything to pre-
vent him except that would be there
TO give him away.
Not much.' he replied you'll
spend Sunday in Jail. I'm going TO
hand you over to the authorities for
robbing me. Take off that coat and
waistcoat and that collar, too, if you
can get it off"
Whipping out revolver, he held 1t
within an inch Of my face, and lost
DO time in obeying his order. My ca
sonicals passed into his possession and
everything else 1 possessed. Then he
told me TO put on his clothes, and un-
der the same infiuence-his six shooter
Il did as required
NOW, see here" he said when the
transfer had been made. remember
that I'm yourself, Edward Morrison
the name Is in your prayer book, see
You can't do anything. but l warn you
not to try. I'm going to hand you owe!
to the sheriff TO be taken care of til
Sunday after the morning service"
l was greatly troubled, for / could
see very little chance of the failure oil
his scheme. At any rate. / could d.
nothing forcibly. If / prevented hi;
game it must be by counter strata
gem. So / said to him:
J "All right, stranger; you've got me