The Democratic banner. (Mt. Vernon, Ohio) 1898-192?, 1916-12-12

monkeyshines came to be wen kiewn
institution.
Having nothing else to do, we en-.
tered heartily into the life and pleas
ures of the place, and we met many
of the leading citizens.
From them heard of the state of
commercial affairs, with its systems
of consignments and auctions, its ru-
mors Of fleet clipper ships, its corner
of the market, Its Cuttings with un-
foreseen cargoes of unexpected vessels
and all the other complex and delicate
adjustments and changes that made
business so fascinating and SO uncer-
tain. All these men were filed with
a great optimism and an abiding en-
thusiasm for the future. They talked
of plank roads, of sewers, of schools,
churches, hospitals, pavements, fills,
the razing of hills, wharves, public
buildings. water systems, and they
talked of them so soberly and in such
concrete terms of accomplishment that
the imagination was tricked into ac-
cepting them as solid facts. Often l
have gone forth from listening to one
of these earnest discussions to look
about me on that wind swept, sand
blown, himsy, dirty, sprawling camp
they called a city, with its half dozen
magnificent" brick buildings that any
New England village could duplicate,
and have laughed wildly until the
tears came over the absurdity Of 1t. 1
was young. did not know that city
ia not bricks. but men: is not fact, but
the vitality OF a living ideal
In the town outside we made many
other acquaintance, of all classes of
society. In 1S49 no social stigma, or
very little, attached to any open asso-
citation. Gamblers were respectable
citizens, provided they ran straight
games.
Among the others we came across q
preacher we had seen holding forth ON
the wharf He was engaged, with the
assistance of two men of the Metho-
dist persuasion, in building a church.
The three had themselves cut and
hewed the timbers. Mr. Taylor for
that was his name, explained to me
that, having no money, that seemed
the only way to get a church. He
showed us his own place, little shack
not unlike the others, but inclosed, and
planted with red geraniums, nastur-
hums and other bright things.
"As far as ! know" he told us, with
pride, that Is the first garden in San
Francisco"
In the back yard he had inclosed
three chickens, two hens and a cock.
II paid $18 for them," said he.
We looked at each other in startled
astOnishment- The sum appeared a
trifie extravagant considering the just
acknowledged impecuniosity Of the
church. He caught the glance.
Boys" he said quantity. "San Fran
cisco Is very lonesome place for the
gOdly. The hosts of sin are very strong,
and the faithful are very few. Mortal
flesh is weak, and mortal spirit is
prone to black encouragement. When
bought those chickens | bought $1S
worth of hope. Somehow Sunday morn
Ing seems more like the Sabbath with
them clucking around sleepy and lazy
and full of sum-
We liked him so much that we turn
ed to at odd times and helped him with
his carpenter work. While thus en-
gagged he Confided to us his intention
to preach against gambling the next
Sunday In The Plaza. We stopped ham
mering to consider this.
II. II..gA
The gamblers own the Plaza. They
are respected by the bulk of the COM
munity, and they won't stand any non
sense. They, none of them, think any
thing of shooting man in their places.
/ don't think they will stand for it. l
am afrah you will be roughly han
died"
"More likely shot" put in Johnny
bluntly.
"well. well, boys, wen see" said
Taylor easily.
Nor could we move him in spite OF
the fact that, as we came to see his
intention was real. we urged very ear
nestly against It.
'Well, If you will, you WILL" Johnny
conceded at last, with sigh. "We1l
see what we can do to get you fair
show"
Now, that is just what don't want
you to do" begged the old man ear
nestly. 81 want no vain contention
and strife. IL the Lord desires that
preach to these sinners he will pro
tect me-"
In the end he eXtorted from us a re
luctant promise not to mingle in the
affair
/ Taylor arrived about 10 o'clock and
proceeded brisllly to the pork barrel
that had been rolled out TO serve as a
pulpit. He faced lowering hostile
mob.
Gentlemen" said he, IF some means
of communication existed by which
the United States could this morning
know that street preaching was to be
attempted in the streets of San Fran
cisco, the morning papers, badly in
a 30