Audubon Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Iowa) 1894-1925, 1915-09-02
CHAPTER m.
A Vital Shock For Reginald.

nNeu was III luIOS-
ing building In one Of the best
residential districts In Bron-
son. Reginald rang the bell and was
greeted by the minister himself, who
was evidently awaiting him, and who
warmly welcomed him.
"This is my young son, Abrahap
said the minister, introducing Legi-
maid to young boy Of about three
years Of age. HE Is a little fellow,
but he Is called after great man. He
Is a namesake of Abraham Lincoln"
Reginald noticed Allan Rutledge re-
garding his little son with tear moist
ened eyes.
my hope and prayer for my boy"
he said earnestly in answer to the
others look, is that he will be worthy
to bear the name of Abraham Lin
coin"
HE will be noble man assuredly II
he acquires q character like the noble
Lincoln" responded Reginald. becom-
ing serious. "Do you know that It
was the life Of Abraham Lincoln
which first gave me glimpse Of what
democracy means and Of what life
really is"
They were interrupted by lady en-
tering the room carrying baby in her
arms. She was gracious looking wo-
man. quite young In appearance, with
light naxen hair and lustrous blue eyes.
"Come in and meet the young Eng
iishman I have been telling you about.
Mr.. Nelson, this is my wife," said Rut-
ledge.
Il am pleased to meet you, Mrs. Rut-
ledge. What lovely baby you haver'
he added, looking with admiration at
the child In its mothers arms.
Allan Rutledge took the child in his
arms. saying: This is our daughter.
Anna. She, too, Is called after a noble
woman. Do you remember in the life
Of Abraham Lincoln that pathetic ro-
nance Of his early daysT
"You mean the romance of Lincoln
and Anne Rutledge" responded Regi-
maid quickly.
"Yes," said the minister. -Anne Rut-
ledge was the sister Of my GRANDPA
ther. and am proud Of my Rutledge
blood"
"You may well be-" exclaimed the
Englishman. II would rather have
the blood of the Rutledges In my veins
than that Of titled lords"
Allan Rutledge thought that the
young man spoke the last words rather
bitterly.
When they were left alone Allan
Rutledge turned to his guest seriously
and said, II expect you have brought
a church letter with you from your old
home"
"No." answered the other stammer-
ingly. IL did not go to church much
In England"
"Ahw responded the other In some
what disappointed tone.
"My family. of course, were church
people," replied Reginald, looking
frankly at the minister, "and / was
confirmed In the Episcopalian Church
Of England as boy. but lost faith in
churches"
Lost faith in churchesw
listen to me, DIR. Rutledge." said
the young Englishman. speaking with
such intensity that the minister looked
at him closely. There was a temper.
ance bill before parliament last winter
which would have been blessing to
every part Of England. This bill was
defeated through the opposition Of
clergymen who owned brewery stocks
More than that" continued the youth,
clinching his fist and unconsciously
raising his voice. "our archbishop OF
Canterbury was lately asked what his
views were. In regard to the labor
problem that presses for solution In
England. and he answered unabasbed
that he worked seventeen hours a day
over the organization Of the church
and had no time left to think of the
labor problem. liked Keir Hardie's
reply to the archbishop" continued
Reginald after pause. HE plainly
told him that religion which demand
ed seventeen hours day for organiza-
ton and left no time for a single
thought about starving and despairing
men and women and children had no
message for this age"
Allan Rutledge changed the subject
again by speaking Of his native state
Of Iowa.
Inc minister saw nat the young
man now felt entirely at home with
him and he asked him seriously. "Wili
you help US in our work of the Central
church. Mr.. Nelson? We need young
men like you and the time for you TO
begin church activity is now"
But am not a member of the
church." he replied hestiatingly.
1--WE viii see about your member
ship later. Meanwhile, do you think
you could sing In the choir regularly?
Miss Joy. one Of our prominent young
members. suggested your name to me
today. She seems to have taken quite
an interest In your welfare"
Reginald blushed and answered
quickly, you know I met Miss JOY
Graham on the boat coming across the
Atlantic. She has given me an invita-
ton to the choir herself think
can join the choir"
II was an animated scene TO which
Reginald Nelson was introduced In the
Graham home. The Tourist club was
composed of about forty young people
of both sexes.
Two Of the older young men were
standing side by side in an alcove and
after Joy Graham had introduced our
hero to them. one OF the two. whose
name was George Caldwell. inquired