The Celina Democrat. (Celina, O. [Ohio]) 1895-1921, 1913-06-06


and was glad Of 1t.
Alvin and Viola went to the same
church. It had run down because its
pastors had been slow-going, easily
contented Ifen, and the congregation
had been spoiled thereby. Finally a
new minister was assigned. 1t turned
out to be Edward Barton, a favorite
, brother of Viola.
He was an up-to-date, energetic, am
bilious young man, and quickly reused
his nock out of the doing and dream
ing rut. His parishioners accepted
him with complacency and even fer
vor, but at the end of two months he
told Alvin one day that he was some
what discouraged.
"The church needs all kinds of re-
pairs" he confidentially impaired,
and they have contributed in the last
thirty days Just half enough to pay
I my months salary"
4 Alvin reflected over all this. He
met his former fiancee on the street.
She idolized her brother, and when
Alvin referred to him she forgot the
gulf between them. She was anxious,
earnest, fearful, as she asked her old
lover If something could not be done
to mend the situation.
81 think see way" said Alvin,
a queer twinkle in that inventive eye
of his.
"Oh, if you only could" began Viola,
and then she flushed crimson, remem-
bering the past.
"Oh, we're great good friends" re-
assured Alvin. Let us be better ones.
/ shall only have one opinion Of you
while l live, and it urges me to do
all can for the best man l ever met"
"Thank you," said Viola breathless-
ly, and her heart beat a good deal
faster as she watched Alvin go down
the street, the same generous-hearted
fellow he would always be.
Immediately Alvin forgot the pend
ing suit. An extravagant soul of hope
awoke within him. He set his wits
at work.
The young minister was called away
from town temporarily. One evening
there was a church sociable. Alvin
was always the life and leader Of
such functions Viola was also there.
1t was after the rejection that Alvin
raped on a table for order and atten-
ton.
Friends" he said, placing box be-
fore him, II have something to say
before we go up to our homes. This
is the best church in the world-fixed
up. Our splendid young pastor is the
best preacher in the world-paid up.
We've all got into a mean and stingy
rut. Let's get out of it."
The church deacons looked askance,
the lay members curious and excited.
you know I'm a sort of dabbler in
Inventions" proceeded Alvin, placing
his hand on the box. "This is my
latest one. It's called the cash an
nunciator,' and I've got it up especial
ly for this church"
Alvin took off the cover Of the box,
amid grim, expectant silence. Then
he placed beside it some coins.
This is my patent collection box"
he proceeded, "and l want the church
to adopt it. My contribution will be
the coins you see here. Now observe:
l wish to donate a dollar"
He slipped a silver dollar through
the slot in the box. A mellow tinkle
seemed to gently thank the donor.
Half dollar" announced Alvin.
This time the apparatus was less
musical. There was a sort of rasping
reproach for acknowledgment.
twenty-five cents"
A hoarse, cracked bell note rang out.
Ten cents" the bell tangled nois-
lily.
"One cent" spoke Alvin finally.
An unearthly racket came from the
box. 1t seemed to pursue the donor
with chorus sounding like stones
thrown against a metal plate.
The audience snickered-some of
them roared with laughter. Misery
John Duke, the richest man in town,
looked sheepish. Robert Jones, sec
ond in social importance, scowled Sc
verely. Then the corner of his lips
began to twitch
"Mr. Draper" he spoke out, you
can put five-dollar attachment for
me regularly on that invention of
yours"
'I'll make it ten," announced Mr.
Duke, after pause.
Yes, no more pennies" spoke up
Deacon Smith. you've given us a
good lesson, Mr.. Draper. I'm for ap- |
preciating the old church and the
young minister as they deserve to be-"
The following Sunday showed prac-
tical results, the next better still
That week Alvin received letter
which he greeted with hurrah--his
Children's paraso1s, many colors |