The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1915-07-19

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 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 table for order and atten-
ton.
Friends" he said, placing box be-
| fore him, 81 have something to say
before We go up to our homes. This
is the best church in the world-fixed
f, up. Our splendid young pastor Is the
best preacher in the world-paid up.
We've all got into 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
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, land want the church
to adopt it. My contribution will be
the coins you see here. Now observe:
| 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 a 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 metal plate.
The audience snickered-some o.
! 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, "yo,
can put fivedollar attachment fOl
me regularly on that invention o
yours"
"I1l make it ten," announced Mr.
Duke. after a pause.
Eyes, no more pennies" spoke vi
Deacon Smith. you've given us I
good lesson, Mr.. Draper. I'm for ap
preciating the old church and thu
young minister as they deserve to be.
The following Sunday showed prac
tical results, the next better still
That week Alvin received a lette
which he greeted with q hurrah-hi
suit was won.
He met Viola, her face beamine
that afternoon. She had heard of hi
success. Also that he was going Il
accept the offers of the manufactuI
ers, give up inventing, and engage II
a practical business undertaking.
Il must congratulate you on you
good fortune" she said brightly. "AnG
oh! what magic wonders you have az
complished with the church. The trus
tees have raised five thousand dollars
and my brother will be taken care O
as he should"
"Ive sort of reformed them?" instr
uated Alvin, and he came a step neal
er with the old-time love light shinin
In his eyes. 1--WE reformed mysel
too. Viola. Is there any hope?"
Alvin" said Viola frankly, 81 ar
afraid mean l must confess tina
you have invented new way to reac
my heart"
Copyright by W. G.. Chapman)