Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1914-05-25
The Daily Story
A Siren-By +. A. Mitchell.
Copyrighted 1914. by Associated Literary Bureau

father and daughter What report be
made to those who had taken n
upon themselves to admonish Beatrfx
through him was not known. but n
was probably not very satisfactory.
for the feeling against the siren in
creased, and it was not long before
she began to get the cold shoulder
from certain mem bers of the congrera-
ton. One thing was noticea ble-the
relations, so far as they appeared be-
tween her and Mr.. Ridgely. were By,
no means changed by the fact of her
admonition.
One day Mrs. Hardness met Mrs.
Cooling on the street, and the two
ladies stopped for a chat.
Have you heard the news about our
pastor?" asked the former.
mo. What is it?"
"He's had call"
81 knew 1t. It's all that mink Trfxie
Severance's fault. She's driven him
out as she has driven out the others"
HE hasn't accepted 1t yet"
"But he will. Do you know what sal.
airy goes with ftT'
"They say 1t is double what we are
paying"
Then he's sure to 60"
The news spread that the church's
idol had received call, and it was gen.
orally conceded that it was preliminary
to his leaving the place on account Of
having received refusal from Beatrix
Severance. Then 1t began to be known
that in his new field he would receive
double the salary he was paid by the
First church. Meanwhile the feeling Of
antagonism toward Trixie was growing
like a rolling SNOWFALL. Some even sug-
gested that in the event of their losing
their pastor she be brought up before
the church and tried for unseemly con-
duct. But the absurdity Of such a
course was apparent when some one
asked in what form the charges would
be made.
One Sunday, after reading the usual
notices, Mr.. Ridgely said that since It
had become generally known that be
had received a call he would say that
he had declined it and would remain
with the First church.
Great was the establishment at this
announcement. What did 1t mean?
Was the man crazy to refuse salary
5000? Those who understood Miss Sew
erance's part, or her supposed part, in
these pastoral affairs looked at her in
Quiringly. Her face was as passive, as
unintelligible as usual.
The only person in the congregation
who could give a satisfactory explana.
ton of the matter was Mrs. Gooding.
who said it was so plain she couldn't
understand why everybody couldn't see
1t. Trixie had so bewitched the pastor
that rather than leave her he had given
up an additional 5000 a year. This
view commended itself to others, and
the impression gained ground that the
minister's departure was only deferred.
Miss Severance was playing him as
cat would play a mouse. Before long
he would depart. call or no call
Meanwhile the power of the young
clergyman for good was becoming
known elsewhere, and calls began TO
pour in thick and fast. Mr.. Ridgely
did not speak of them himself; they
leaked out through those who gave
them. He declined them all.
Then the congregation of the First
church began to think that it was his
love for them that kept him. After all
the First church was composed of an
class of people. Quite like
II Mr.. Ridgely appreciated the social
advantages of such a church. This
view was poohpoohed by a few, but
gained ground generally.
Finally an announcement was made
by Mrs. Deacon Severance that was
ike a bomb dropped among the con-
gregation. Her daughter, Beatrix, was
to Mr.. Ridgely. All We're
made happy by the news. Their be-
loved pastor would now be fixture
n the First church. From being the
most unpopular member of the congre-
CATION Trixie became the most popu
ar. All docked about her with con-
ordinations, saying that they wers
so glad;" that doubtless it had been
Trough her influence that Mr.. Rldgely
lad declined the calls he had received
md now they would have him always
Miss Severance received their con-
with the same imperturo
hility that she had borne their re-
'roaches. In due time the wedding
vas celebrated. and all were settling
own with feeling that they were
o retain a minister who had been Of
cred several thousand dollars year
n place of the paltry sum OF sou
Then the tranquil waters were again
disturbed. The minister announced
rom his pulpit that be had determined
o give up all regular pastoral wors
nd preach the gospel TO the poor
wherever and whenever he found an
pportunity. He further stated that
e was happy in having gained wife
rho sympathized with him in this
curse and who would assist him In
is efforts TO ameljorate the spiritual
nd physical condiO'n of those VINO
lost needed him.
The Rev. Mr.. Ridgeiy is now tow
: of strength I'm the slums. and his
life is his indefatigable assistant