The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1929-12-13
I pleasant old living room and waited

pleasant old living room and waited
for the coming Of the committee.
"They want that last two thousand
raised" said their father, smiling.
land so do I. But l am sure the pe0-
pie will contribute 1t Of the own free
will. in gratitude, on the day of the
dedication"
Presently came Joplin Westbury,
alone, i'll at ease. but obviously man
with his mind made rp.
swell. Brother Tolliver," he said,
''it's good to see you again. You are
looking better. Eyes any strongerT
II think so, yes, am sure of 1t. /
feel much better. What hour was ap-
pointed for the meeting? Isn't the
rest Of the committee late?'
swell, as matter of fact, the rest
of the committee is not coming. Broth
er Dawes was called out of town on
business-late this afternoon, and
Brother Macklen is In bed with an
attack of acute indigestion. Not that
believe word of it myself They
just backed out, that's ALL"
SIS the meeting postponed. thenw
swell. no. You see. was the chair
man anyhow, and I can do as well
without the committee. Wen just
have it out by ourselves"
The girls rose quickly. "WeIl run
upstairs If you will excuse u.s." said
Miriam.
"No. don't 60" said Joplin West.
bury quickly, evidently not at all de-
string to be left aloue with his gentle.
unseeing pastor. "You stay right
here. It's family matter, as you
might say, and we'll just have it all
right out in the OPEN
Mr.. Tolliver sat very still, a rigid
figure against the faded blue velvet
of the big chair, his head bent for.
ward.
"You see, we had meeting of the
official board Monday night"
"You did! Why, could have come
In for it."
swell, we just had it by ourselves.
In fact we've aad several. Well.
there's no use beating about the bush,"
continued the embarrassed official
"You see, Brother Tolliver, that while
all our people like you. and like your
work-likA your whole family. in fact
still We'll, you can see that a
blind MAY can't run church-nV
rightly fine new church iii
this one our Now that we've 81
-, = a L.--v ,alIss..s. ~durcT1.
we' got, toYgef in the crowds to fiji
it up. and help pay the expenses. And
a blind man"
MIR. Tolliver did not move. ayes.
Brother Westbury. Go on" he said
gently.
"Well, you see how 1t is. And
since the Congregationalists have
started to hold meetings of their own
in the Odd Fellows hall. they've taken
about dozen of our good payers. and
we've got to get in others to take their
places. Now you see how we're fixed.
We like you, first-rate, but we've got
to work for the church, first and last.
Well, we waited. and hoped you would
get over it. We wrote to the doctors.
and they say you've not got much
chance-not one in hundred You're
all run down, and you need a long
resl-maybe year, maybe two years
Ito build you up"
~"But perhaps an operation-it would
be expensive, but"
1--WE asked about the operation
They just talked about that to cheer
you up. An operation wouldn't do any
good. Your eyes are just plain worn
out. You'll all worn out-that's the
straight of it."
81 see."
swell, we talked 1t over with the
distric, superintendent, and he hadn't
a word to say against you. Brother.
nor any of us either for that matter.
But you see how it Is. The new
church and all. So ne said lie would
fix 1t up at the conference this fall.
and they'll, retire you according to the
books-l don't know just how 1t is.
but they pay you right along. and
it's all down In the Discipline And
you'll gel good long rest. and we'll
get in some fresh young chap to draw
the crowds and ill up the new
church."
"But-but it's father's-the new
church Is" sasped Ginger. unable 20
endure the dead silence that hung so
blackly over the little group
Joplin Westburv turned on her
sharply. evidently glad of chance
to switch the tide OF his talk from