Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1916-10-01
Jane Grey
IN STALLME EMIT
Ch3Dtcr

r PHRAlM JUDSON was a hard man. His
was the religion Of the Pilgrim Fathers
hard, grim. with none of the softer.
holicr faith that religion OF the simpler
kind implies His idea was 20 force religion
upon the unwilling. flashing the unbeliever
with fiery invcctivc and threatening MIN
with dire punishment If he did not succumb.
And his methods did not end in the pulpit
for he carried his sternness into his own
home and had brought up his children to
fear the Lord
God the Father. was 10 Tom Judson just
another tyrant like his own parent, but Ruth
was different Ruth knew only the love and
sweetness Of religion. the tcrrors her father
described IN his sermons passed over her
head for she was too simple TO realize them
one morning III late spring when life was
ioVe!ieSt III the Cumberland mountains, Eph.
rain Judson drove his covered wagon con.
tanning ii lew simple household things over
the rolling hill country where in little
valley town he was TO conduct series of
revival meetings for the simple hill people
Tom sat in the back Of the wagon, his
shock OF straight unmanageablc hair bent
over a book. To the casual observer the
title Of Toms book read Gospel Hymns -
but only Tom knew that the loose cover
slipped of and inside was tucked away a
most thrilling detective story.
Ruth had LEI, the wagon 10 gather daisies
Hurry" called Tom. raising his head
from his hook TO hcckon 10 his sister. You'll
be left"
Not If know It," Ruth responded joy.
ously. and with a little running jump she
sprang into the wagon Tom reached a
hand 20 help her, and ne did. the book
dropped from his reach, and disclosed TO
view the ten cent thriller
Tom Ruth breathed. looking up sudden.
- She east swift glimpse Al her father
but nc was absorbed in his thought and
did not look around Where did you get
this BOOK She demanded
Tom snatched Il, it iealOusiy
ITS mine" he said hotly Give it 10
ne. | say
oh Tom be careful" Ruth whispered
II father knew. don't know what he
would say"
IoH! once more in possession OF his book
laughed softly. He knew that Ruth wouldn't
tell on u fellow But Ruth sighed She
hardly knew what to make Of Tom Of late
he had seemed to be drawing away from
her Influence and there was secrecy about
his actions that sha was not used to- Tom
was not bad, only weak Left alone his
intentions were OF the best, but under the
influence OF strong character. Ruth feared
for her brother. Sometimes she wished tina,
her father were different with Tom.
He could do so much ;or him she would
sigh 10 herself. But Tom just went be
driven. and when father gets that hard sci
look on his face. am so afraid.
The wagon began 10 pass few scattered
houses, and Ruth was child enough 10 forget
HcI Troubles III inc excitement OIL the ar
rival
AS the wa eon drove slowly into the town
the crowds began TO gather The yearly
revival was matter OF the greatest i'm
portance to the hill people It was practi
cally the only influence from the outside
world that affected their peaceful lives. and
each year there was a lively contest as to
just which family would have the honor oil
boarding the Evangelist This year the
horo" had been awarded to Mrs. Sapphire
Eyrd. She and her lat Dicky were
among the first to rush forth and greet the
strangers.
Ruth pcepcd shyly out OF the wagon at the
friendly faces. but her shyness soon wore of
al the hearty welcome she received Deacon
Harvey, the richest man in the village, and
the shining light of the church, was In the
throng. DICK stared at Ruth in opcn-eyed
amazement Never had lie seen such a
specimen Of girlhood Ruth could not her
smiling at his alteration, and she put forth
her hand, which Dick took gingerly after Il
hasty cleansing Of his own on his trousers
1t was all very different from anything the
girl had ever experienced before, these
simple people and their hearty welcome.
Ruth felt that her stay among them would
be happy. But already forces we're at work
that were TO change the simple life Of this
young girl forces that she knew nothing Of
She had noticed III the crowd fashily
dressed individual and now she her
brother in the DISTANCE in conversation with
the same man. The fact made her vaguely
uncomfortable, and she determined to ad
wise Tom not to make friends too easily.
Ruth would have been still more worried
If she had known that the fiashy looking
man aspired to be the village sport" His
name was Tobe. and what little money he
could get together he spent in apeing the
styles Of the cheap sports" i'll the large
cities. 1t seemed strang twist Of fate thai
ne should be tho first person to interest Ton
Judson upon his arrival in the village. Tobe
had quickly sized Tom up. His bluff, easy
manner fascinated the younger boy, il
seemed 10 him exactly the same that tho
hero affected in the story he was reading
Tobe slapped Tom on the back approvingly
and Tom in his surprise dropped the book
which he carried under his arm. For the
second time that day. his subterfuge hat
been discovered.
Great stuff, kid, great Stuff" lobe said
as he picked up the book and laughed heart
lily. Don't be afraid, l won't let on to the
old man. think You and I can be great
little pals. So long see you later we'll ar
range a nice little meeting" And with an
other slap on the back he strolled off whist
ing, leaving Tom with the idea that at las
he was about to see little real life.
Ruth drew breath of relief when the two
separated and she turned back to the Dea
con, who had Stuck close to her side The,
had reached Mrs Rvrd's floor vhep Z