The Liberal democrat. [volume] (Liberal, Kan.) 1911-1924, 1915-11-19
CHAPTER XVIII.
Rev. Smith Boyd Protsst,.

The doves which In summer fitted
about the quiet little vestry yard, and
coosd over the vestry door, would
have flown away had they been at
home; for II was a stormy affair. with
loud voices and clashing Wills and a
general atmosphere Of tensity, which
was somewhat at variance with the
red-robed figure OF the Good Shepherd
in the pointed window OF the vestry.
The late arrival was Joseph G. Clark,
and his eye sought that OF Banker
Chisholm. before he nodded to the 9th
ers and took his seat at the Gothic
table. Rev. Smith Boyd. who was
particularly straight and tall today,
and particularly in earnest. paused
long enough for the slight disturb
ance to subside, and then he finished
his speech.
THAT ia my unalterable position in
the matter" he declared III Market
Square church has a mission. II is
? the responsibility for these miserable
human wrecks whom We have made
our wards"
I'VE can't feed and clothe them"
objected Banker Chisholm, whose
white mutton chops already glowed
pink from the anger.reddened skin be-
meath.
ut doesn't pay to pauperize the
people," supplemented Willis Gun
bingham, stroking his sparse vandyke
complacently Cunningham, whose
sole relationship to economies con.
sisted In permitting his secretary to
sign checks. had imbibed q few prin-
ciples which suficed for all occasions
81 do not wish to pauperize them. "
returned the rector 81 am willing to
accept the shame OF having the city
show Market Square church its duty.
in exchange for the pleasure Of re-
placing the foul tenements In We'd.
der court with clean ones"
Joseph @. Clark glanced again at
Chisholm
They'd be dirty again in ten
years" he observed IF we build the
new type OF sanitary tenement we
shall have to charge more rent, or not
make a penny Of profit; and we can't
get more rent because the people who
would pay II will not come into that
neighborhood."
Are we compelled to make .
pront?" retorted the rector. rs It nee
..aary 20. MarLat douaHN nhurnh IN
remain perpetually = commercial land
lordT
The vestry gazed at Rev. Smith
Boyd in surprised disappSoval. Their
previous rector had talked like that.
and Rev. Smith Boyd had been a great
relief
so long as the church has property
at all, It will meet with that persistent
charge" argued Chisholm. 1T seems
to me that we have had enough Of IT,
My own inclination would be to sell
the property outright. and take up
slower. but less personal. forms of
investment"
Old Nicholas Van Ploon, sitting far
enough away to fold his hands com.
fortably across his tight vest, screwed
his neck around 80 that he could glare
at the banker,
NO" he objected; for the Van
Ploon millions had been accumulated
by the growth OF tall ONCE buildings
out of a worthless Manhattan swamp
I'VE should never sell the property 70
There are dozen arguments
against keeping It." returned the nasal
voice OF old Joseph G. Clark. The
chief one is the necessity Of making
a large investment In these new tene
ments"
Rev. Smith Boyd rose again, shut
ting the light from the red robe OF
the Good Shepherd out Of quietly con.
centrated Jim Sargents eyes
81 object to this entire discussion, -
he stated I'VE have q moral obliga-
ton which forbids US to discuss mat
tiers Of investment and profit within
these walls as II we were a lard trust
We have neglected our moral obliga.
ton in Vedder court. until we are as
blackened with sin rs the thief on the
Cross"
Shrewd old Rufus Manning SIooked
at the young rector ouriously. He was
puzzled over the change In him.
Don't swing the pendulum too far.
Doctor Boyd" Naming reminded hin,
VITA . 9oAa deal Of kindlinsSA rASsa