The Miller press. [volume] (Miller, S.D.) 190?-current, 1923-11-29

Wv hio pAN" ~ hoiS "a ''S shpS
size of an open hand with a sawed
off shotgun he always kept near his
bed.
The old banker had just closed his
desk. picked up the rusty satchel. and
come out on the porch Of the store
when his daughter and the big woods
man Joined the crowd around the post
office "a crowd doubly large, gathered
for the doubly suspicious occasion.
The girl ran to her father and
slipped an arm about his waist. He
looked down at her and grunted. II
was the only sign he gave that he knew
she was there.
Up beyond the Warhope farmstead
there came a prodlgious rattle Of
wheels. a clatter Of iron-shod hoofs.
and the Milford stage dashed into
sight roared across the wooden
bridge where the River road crossed
Eagle run rumbled past the church
into the village and pulled up In front
of the post office.
The crowd fiocked around II. The
guard threw Off the mail sack. Eek
Pollok picked 1t up and carried II in,
and the numbering stage ratified away
down the river.
One passenger had alighted, a tall
young mar wearing a full beard, neatly
cropped and pointed-the new preach
er, without q doubt-Quite the oldest
array Of satchels and umbrella. patent
leather boots and high hat, stiff neck
stock and enormous spectacles. that
had ever invaded the Flatwoods.
He seemed nervous as he. stood at
the side of the road peering through
his enormous spectacles, slightly amber
tinted, upon the crowd.
The old banker, with his daughter a
step behind him, advanced, touched his
faded black hat and extended his hand.
THE Rev. Caleb Hopkins, | 'lOw?"
The eyes behind the huge spectacles
lighted. The young preacher dropped
one of his satchels and met the out
stretched hand.
"Ah-Mr.-COlin, l take it?"
"All but the mister. I'm jist plain
Slime Colin"
The old man grlnned, as broadly as
the pinched shrewdness of his dry face
would allow.
81 want y'u t meet my daughter"
He half turned; jerked his thumb
toward the girl jerked II back toward
the preacher. Tickle, Mr.. Hopkins"
The young preacher touched his tall
hat dropped his other satchel, grasped
the girls hand in both his own and
pressed 1t closer than the occasion
could possibly warrant.
Ii may have been merely the ex-
preston of a genial natur touched
with the fervency Of his profession
the outfiOwing Of a benevolence that
embraced all humanity-but even so,
II brought a quick flush to the girls
face, and drove her eyes to the ground.
The old banker had turned to the
crowd.
step up, step up" he called, land
shake hands with the new parson. The
way y'u hang back. he'll think he's
drapped off amongst a pack o. pub
licans and sinners"
The crowd had evidently been wait
Ing for just such an invitation. Stolld
faces raveled into grins, and the
quaint vernacular OF the Flatwoods
had an airing. Odd bits of philosophy,
ancient Jokes, that nobody would have
dared to spring on his neighbor, were
freely sprung on the hapless and help
less sojourner from the polite East.
The informal reception was over and
most of the crowd rome when Texie
noticed Jack Warhope still leaning
against the porch post where she had
left him. She ran back. caught his
arm n dragged him forward.
mr.. Hopkins, meet Ja-Mr. War
hope"
Glad to meet you, Mr.. Warhope."
The young preacher stretched forth
his hand: the other grasped 1t. The
peering eyes behind the heavy glasses
studied him with curious intentness,
but the woodsman, only mildly inter-
ested, missed the lnquisitive look.
The old banker had taken a step up
the road.
SWELL" he said. II low that Jist
upout WihuS up TIE hOW-u -uOlu 4.
Texie, run In and git the mail, and
Wen be moseyin'."
He half turned and glanced back
over his shoulder at the preacher.
I've dickered the use Of our Of
preachers study fr y'u at the parson-
age. Sister Mason-the wilder, y'u
knOw-she lows she'll be right glad
to have y'u come over and use the
study, she's that lonely sence the par
son died. Wen stop as we go a-past, and
you can take a lock at the study. and
e Sister Mason. But. as | writ y'u,
I'm aimln' fr y'u T. put up with me,
at least fr a few days"-the brisk.
raspy voice softened-"Tm honeln' t
have a talk with y'u about-the boy"
He giared down at the road the
preacher studied him curiously.
So long had the old money-lender
been accustomed to dominate every
body about him that II did not once
occur to him to Inquire what the
preachers wishes might be. He strobe
another step or two up the road. re-
membered that his daughter had one
In after the mall. stopped and frowned
half impatiently toward the store door.
AT thar I'M Tpxie came ont with