Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1913-05-31

was II not better for him 10 risk CIV
ing himself away to me and secure my
help than 10 risk giving himself away
10 number of persons?
81 shall be happy for your assistance,
Brother Ridgeway." lie 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
n church. which. rs you say. is the
first step for them TO take. 4 meet
ing has been called for this evening
IN the town hall OF such as are favor
ably disposed to the work. had in-
tended 20 address them 40 length. but
after few preliminary remarks
will step aside for you"
"It will give me great pleasure TO
do what can" | replied. "Alean-
while will leave with you some leaf.
lets showing what we have done In
India and what we hope TO do hcreaft-
err You may be able to scatter them
so that they Will bear fruit"
Grasplng his hand cordially--it was
cold as stone-l departed. breathing
freely again when got away from
him, for realized that should knowl-
edge of my game come 10 him he
would send bullet crashing into my
brain-that is. II one Of the 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 a swift horse
and hired boy 10 have him at the hall
ready for me before the meeting was
over. That is the only preparation
made. At s o'clock. attended by my
host. / sailed forth TO give lecture
ON missionary work In India. for part
OF which would draw on the material
l 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 church.
and I was surprised 10 hear him state
his case remarkably we'll
When he had finished he introduced
me ms missionary Just returned from
India. and began my lecture. Fortu
nately I have always had faculty for
making persons believe | know 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
ish guilty feeling at the imposture.
After I had closed my lecture my
colleague spoke n few words as 10 the
duty of giving literally that those pres
ent might have a place for worship
and called upon several prominent citi-
gems present to pass the hat. The col
lection was then poured on table be-
fore the originator OF the movement.
who gathered IT, tied II up In his hand
kerchief and put II In his pocket. 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 up
/ grasped The Ecl's hand and told him
that | would see him the next morn
ing. lie assured me that he would be
happy 10 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 or my clericals and APP
peared In plain clothes. My horse was
waiting for me. and when The Eel APP
pcared followed him as he walked TO
the house of his host.
Owing TO his unblushing effrontery.
l presumed that he would get out OF
town with the plumber Immediately
after the meeting. and for this reason
had procured the horse When lie
went into the house where he had been
staying knew he would either slip out
during the night or remain In town
longer for additional swag. Tying my
horse to post near by. resolved on
night watch.
The last light in the house went out
at II o'clock. Soon after II the front
door opened softly and man emerged.
He made no sound In his steps. and |
judged he wore rubbers. Growing from
the sidewalk was tree large enough
for concealmcnt. 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
a quick sharp command:
"Hands up"
! saw him start. He dare not dis.
obey. lie put his 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.
l called out TO his host, who raised u
window, and asked him 20 come
down. When he did so told him what
had happened and asked him TO relieve
his reverend guest OF what he could
find on his person. He drew forth the
collection wf.lDDed In a handkerchief