The Sunday telegram. [volume] (Clarksburg, W. Va.) 1914-1927, 1916-09-17
iale Of the Animals Life and
Death Generally Brings
Large Contributions.

MACON, Mo. Sept. 16.-The story Of
IN old mule, related with tear-com-
pelilng pathos by the Rev. H. r. Coop
~ Is said to be largely responsible
1or the generous outpouring OF con-
itributions to the 100000 fund for the
Deheht OF superannuated ministers Of
the Missouri Methodist Conference and
Tor widows Of Methodist clergymen.
! Five or six years ago Mr.. Cooper
started out to raise 100000 for the
purpose indicated. The sum, il raised,
was TO be invested that it would take
care OF the ministers whose days OF
labor were over. Some laughed at
tne idea OF raising such large sum.
Mr. Cooper said it could be done. The
board was so much impressed that it
appointed him financial agent to go
ahead and try.
Studied Situation for Years.
MT Cooper long had been an ener-
getc and successful minister and at
times held appointments as presiding
elder. He knew the people OF Mis-
souri,. Before accepting the appoints
ment he had studied the matter care
fully and decided just how he would
so about it. Instead OF using in his ad-
dress the flowers of speech, he decid-
ed that he would present his argll-
ment in parable-one that would
strike home. That it did strike home
is amply evidenced by the remarkable
reports Mr.. Cooper has presented at
each annual meeting of the confer
ence. In two years he had the $780,
600 for the old preachers. The board
was so well satisfied that it sent him
out to raise another hundred thou.
sand
Every church visited by Mr.. Cooper
has heard the mule story and some
have cried over it when they saw the
application.
Story Came from Audrain County.
Down amid the roots Of the cotton
woods of Audrain county, sleeps an
animal Of the type (which has made
Missouri famous. For thirty years that
old mule had labored in season and
out. rain and shine, hot or cold, and
then entered into its rest.
Mr.. Cooper had been on his tour
several months before he heard about
that mule. He investigated and learn
ed all the facts. Then he told the
story that brought the contributions,
Brother Jim Jones was Methodist
OF the old school" he would begin,
always at his place in church, ready
to shout, sing or pray with the best
Of them. he never cheated in horse
trade, never lied about the quality OF
his dogs, and was always honest with
his neighbors and his God. Among his
stock was old Bill Grow, black mule.
nearly a third of century old. His
service had been almost as long as
his years. One morning Brother Jones
httched Bill Grow up TO the pillow and
started across the field.
Git APT said Brother Jones.
"Bill Grow didn't move. He just
Mturned his head and looked kinder
nournful at his boss, and then laid
down. His working days were over.
Brother Jones saw that. because it was
the first time Bill Grow had ever re-
fused to move when commanded. He
went up and looked into the mules
eyes and saw tears in them. He knew
Bill Grow had done the best he could
and that he hated to quit. There was
no help for it, and so he turned the
old mule out in the woods to die.
Boy Makes the First Appeal.
That night Brother Jones's boy, Joe,
came to him and said
Pap, what've you done with old
Bill Crow?'"
Why son.. he fell down at the
plough this morning, and so 1 turned
him out to die. Guess his working
days are over
" won turned old piI C,or, o,,4 l.,
die?'
w.. Why sure; he amt no good no
But, see here, pap; amt he been
working all his life for you?
" He sure has, son. and he worked
good, too"
And you goin' to church every
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