Western news and the Libby times. [volume] (Libby, Mont.) 1920-1933, 1930-06-05

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| Miriam.
| mo. don't co. said Joplin West
bury quickly. evidently not at ali de-
/ string to be left a1oue with his gentle,
uDseeing pastor. "You stay right
here. It's family matter, az you
might say, and we'll just have II all
right out In the OPEN
Mr.. Tolliver sat very still, 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."
well, we just had 1t by ourselves
In fact we've had several. Wei,
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-like your whole family, In fact
still WE'LL you can see that a
blind man can't run church-not
rightly-not fine new church like
this one OF ours. Now that we've put
SO much money into this new church,
we've got to get In the crowds to fill
1t up, and help pay the expenses And
blind man"
Mr.. Tolliver did not move. Eyes,
Brother Weslbury. Go on" he said
gently.
well, you see how 1t Is And
since the Congregationallsts 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 ret in others to take their
places. Now you see how we're liked.
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 1t. We wrote to the doctors,
and they say you've not got mucn
chance-not one In hundred. You're
all run down, and you need 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-thats the
straight OF it."
II see"
"Well, we talked II over with the
district superintendent, and he hadn't
a word to say against you, Brother,
nor any OF us either for that matter.
But you see how ii Is. The new
church and all. So he said ne would
fix 1t up at The conference this fall,
and they'll retire you according to the
books-I 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 fill up the new
. church.
.But-but It's father's-the new
church is" sasped Ginger, unable to
: endure the dead silence that hung 80
!, blackly over the little group.
Joplin Westbury turned on her
: sharply, evidently glad OF a chance
!. to switch the tide OF his talk from
the stricken minister. mo. Ellen, It's
not your fathers church. Its not our
! church, It's Gods"
!. Ginger wilted suddenly. "Yes,' she
!. assented. "Yes, of course ! wish We
!. could let God run It"
Ellen" reproved her father gently.
h I'm sorry--l didn't mean she
/ stammered nervously.
a Eyes, never mind. We know you
: meant nothing wrong. You are quite
right, OF course, Brother Westbury
; 1t Is all true A blind man would only
; be an encumbrance-in a new church
: like that | should have resigned be-
. fore-but kept hoping ! would re-
4 cover. And had my family"
"Oh, you'll be taken care OF, Broth
A er IOlliver, don't you worry. 1ol
won't be allowed to suffer, yon mol
!. your family either. Just you remem
a Der that It's all down In the Dis
: cipline. The conference will take
care OF you"
"How soon When do you"
swell, now, Brother, we figured VIZ
would just keep you right along unit
, conference, on full salary and every
!. thing. And you can just rest up IL
), the country, and let this young Buck
worth do the preaching. We Ike hin
first rate. And we want you to preach
the dedication, we're absolutely unan
Imous on that--nob0dy but you for tn
dedication, for as you might say, I'll
= your church. That is, you understand
you raised the money and ALL"
. "Yes, see. Thank you very much.
= Awkwardly, the trustee made hi
= good-bys and hurried away. He di'
:. not look back. Miriam walked witt
> him to the door. shook hands Will
him. She even smiled Then sh
ahmed hack and iolDed the hushe.