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The( to thi The i possi of th filmi( Origi begir the U sion, othei first sion, or illi The I shall TINL whic Map! diffei entir begir right requi meth 10X 14X 18X 22X 26X 30X y 12X 16X 20X 24 X 28X 32X The copy filmed here has been reproduced thanks to the generosity o(: National Library of Canada L'exemplaire film6 fut reproduit grSce d la g^n^rositd de: Bibliothdque nationale du Canada The images appearing here are the best quality possible considering the condition and legibility of the original copy and in keeping with the filming contract specifications. Les images suivantes ont 6t6 reproduites avec le plus grand soin, compte tenu de la condition et de la nettetd de l'exemplaire film^, et en conformity avec les conditions du contrat de filmage. Original copies in printed paper covers are filmed beginning with the front cover and ending on the last page with a printed or illustrated impres- sion, or the back cover when appropriate. 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Maps, plates, charts, etc., may be filmed at different reduction ratios. Those too large to be entirely included in one exposure are filmed beginning in the upper left hand corner, left to right and top to bottom, as many frames as required. The following diagrams illustrate the method: Les cartes, planches, tableaux, etc., peuvent due film^s d des taux de reduction diffdrents. Lorsque le document est trop grand pour dtre reproduit en un seul cliche, il est film6 d partir de Tangle supirieur gauche, de gauche d droite, et de haut en bas, en prenant le nombre d'images ndcessaire. Les diagrammes suivants illustrent la m^thode. 1 2 3 1 2 3 4 5 6 A MODERN EXODUS BY FAYE HUNTINGTON Author of Those Hoys EehoiiiK i>'itl Re-echoing Mrs. Deane's Way and others « !^;:; arr'"^ "" "" '"'•" 'f ■'•"""■ "•' ^'"•'' -■'. / will gtve it you. TORONTO: VVlIvLIAM BRIOGS. WESI.KY HUII.DINGS MONTREAL :C.W.COATES. | HAL.F.^ AX : S. F. HUESTIS. ^ ! Entered according to the Act of the Parliament of Canada, in the year one thousand eight hundred and ninety, by William Brigcjs, Toronto, in the office of the Minister of Agriculture, at Ottawa. i CALLED . CHANGES CONTENTS. CHAPTER I. CHAPTER II. CHAPTER III. FACING THINGS CHAPTER IV. AGREEMENTS AND DISAGREEMENTS . CHAPTER V. REACHING OUT . - -■ , , ^ CHAPTER VI. OLD gold" . • • hi • • 21 33 54 63 IV CONTENTS CHAPTER VII. A NEW DKPAKTURE CHAPTER Vni. THE QUESTION OF TRIBUTE CHAPTER IX. STEPHEN A CUMBEKER • • John's marah CHAPTER X. CHAPTER XI. PLAIN SPEAKING • • CHAPTER Xri. A NEW DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE CHAPTER XIII. THE TALKING MULTITUDE • • • CHAP'J'ER XIV. SHOULDERS, OR CONSCIENCE? CHAPTER XV. DFBT, DOUBT AND DELIVERANCE ;5 89 99 106 120 130 139 152 1 65 CONTENTS. CHAPTER XVI. ROYAL BOUNTY CHAPTER XVII. OUTGROWING THINGS CHAPTER XVIII. A MINORITY REPORT CHAPTER XIX. PRAYER . CHAPTER XX. HEARD WHILE YET SPEAKING . CHAPTER XXI. DEAN BEGINS HIS WOKK . CHAPTER XXH. 'THE RE-ECHO OF A SERMON CHAPTER XXIII. SATAN PLANS AN OVERTHROW CHAPTER XXIV. A boy's IDEA OF BUSINESS , 1 80 I92 205 2x6 228 242 256 272 284 v! CONTENTS. CHAPTER XXV. MEMORIAL STONES CHAPTER XXVI. JERICHO CHAPTER XXVII. COL. PARSONS SUMS UP THE CASE 301 314 330 A MODERN EXODUS. CHAPTER L CALLED. "And when the Lord saw that he turned aside to see, God called unto him." THE real name of the Moses who was the leader in this Modern Exodus was John Keckman, and by that name I shall speak of him as I write out this record of his life — an unevent- ful life, as we look at lives. The Heckmans were happy and prosperous when this young fellow first made his appearance in the household, a fat, black-eyed baby. He ate and slept, smiled and cooed, like other babies. Later, he grew mis- chievous and wayward. As more years went by, he ran upon errands and went to school, joined in the coasting and snow-balling frolics, and came CALLKP. home with brui.scc! head and frosted cars. In summer he picked berries in the pasture and went fishing ; in short, up to his tenth year he lived a happy, careless young life, with little to distin- guish him from the average country boy. About that time a shadow rested upon the home. At first it seemed but a passing cloud, but instead of dispersing it grew heavier and denser, and by and by culminated in the darkness of death. They were sitting together in the twilight of a dark November day, the widow and the fatherless, and the friends who had come to them in the hour of their great sorrow. They had not been saying much. The brothers and sisters would go away in the morning, and the broken family would take up their burden of living, and it seemed to the bereaved wife that now there could never be any living that would not be a burden. Mr. John Heckman sat for some time with* an arm thrown about his namesake nephew. He had not joined at all in the low and broken con- versation that went on among the others of the group, but seemed lost in thought, Presently he roused himself and said — "I think, Abbie, that, if you arc willing, I will take John, here, home with me for a time. It will be one less for you to care for, and I see no other way to help you. I think Lewis" — here CALLED. the stronj]j man faltered for an instant, but he quickly recoveretl himself and went on — "Lewis has made very wise plans for your future ; but at best you will have your hands full, and as you will hardly like to let your one girl go away from you, the best I can do is to take John." After some discussion it was settled that John was to go with his uncle for a few months — " Until I see niy way a little clearer," the mother said, addin^,, "I canroi think of giving up my boy altogether." An I the kind-h(;arted, wise brother replied — "Certainly not. You shall have him back whenever you say the word. And, sister Abbie, be assured that, as long as he remains with us, he will have the same care and advantages that my own son would have." The months lengthened into }ears, and still John did not come home. There never came a time when Mrs. Heckman saw her way clearer — - rather, her way grew more and more obscured — and there never came a time when she lelt that it would be bett(;r for John to come back to her, though her heart was breaking with the longing for this child, the one whom everybody said was "so like his father." Wearily she lived on until six years had gone by. Once, a year or two after John left home, she wrote, urging a visit. His uncld replied — 4 CALLER. Dear Sister AnniE: If you have not fully determined to take John from us this year — and I hope you will not — we think it better for you to come here. It will do you good to get away from the old place; and besides, I cannot very well leave just now to go with John, so I enclose a check for your traveling expenses. During the visit Mr. Hcckman drew enough from the satl-faeed woman for him to understantl that things were not going on as well as could be wished, and he made up his mind that, if possible, he would keep John. However, he said very little about it. He suggested that, as the school advantages in their little town were unusually fine for a place of its size, it might be as well to let John stay on for a year or two, at least, adding — " If the boy should decide that he would like to take a full course, I shall stand ready to help him ; but that is a matter to discuss later." Then the mother went back to her home, thankful in her heart that one boy was doing well. And so, as I have said, the years went on until John was nearly sixteen. He had grown up thoughtful for his years, perhaps more thoughtful than boys ol his age usually are. With this bit of introduction, I come now to the point where my story more properly begins. A bright June morning, and John Heckman sit- ting in his uncle's pew in the village church, wait- ing for the message the preacher might bring to I I CAM.F.n. 5 him ; and, as I think of him thus, there cf)mcs to me a sentence from the beginning of that other story lived so long ago — "And when the Lord saw that he turned aside to see, God called unto him." It was a bright worshiping-place. The green upon which the building stood was elevated a little above the level of the street, and a stone terrace added to the neat appearance of the sur- roundings. Stone steps led up from the sidewalk, and gravel walks followed graceful curves to the entrance of the church. The lawn was shaded by elms and maples, and dotted with evergreens. Inside, through the mullioned stained-glass win- dows, the sunlight streamed in over a mossy car- pet and comfortably upholstered pews. Over the pulpit or platform, upon the wall, in illuminated text, were the words, " Enter into his gates with thanksgiving and into his courts with praise." After all, I cannot describe that church. There were certain nameless characteristics, things felt rather than seen. Perhaps it was that the peoi)le loved the place, that they came with reverence, and that upon the faces of many who were accus- tomed to worship within the sacred walls there rested the peace that j)asseth understanding ; that the glory within so illumined the countenance that of them it might be said, "Their faces shone, for they had been with Ood." It may be that ii) an especial manner the Holy Spirit rested ii[»()ii 1 1 6 CALLED. that con^i^rc^ation. I cannot think that it was just the beauty of the frescoes or of the tinted ^lass, the })erfume of the llowers or the sweet tones of the organ, that made the difference between that church and many others. It may be that the sweet Christian spirit of the worship- ing congregation had much to do with the pecul- iar attraction of the place ; and again, it may be that the preacher had been dwelling upon the mount so that his face shone with a heavenly radiance. I know not why it was, that, with its simple and inexpensive adornipgs, it seemed so peculiarly the temple of the Most High. I have wondered what might have been in the mind of that pastor as, in the privacy of his study, he thought out that sermon. I can fancy him fit- ting it to the needs of his [people, hoping and praying that by the words he should be given to speak to them, souk, might bo led to take up new duties, enter upon untried work. Perhaps he thought of this one as being led to sj)eak to the stranger, that one taking up prayer-meeting duty, another giving liimself to Sunday School or mis- sion work; and, ]ierhaps, after all his thought and fitting, he i)rayed that the Lord would take his words and fill them with His Sjiirit, and let them not fall to the ground, but rather that they might riMch some heart with help, I'licouragenuMit or inspiiat ion, as might \)c the special lu'cd It may CALLKn. be that the preacher never saw in his own parish the least fruit of that morning's seed-sowing. Yet the fruit was rich and abundant. The words of the text were, " What is that in thine hand.'' And he said, A rod." The thought of the sermon was that God can make the single and simple instrument that we hold in our loose grasp an effective weapon for His service, and that we may not hold back from service because of weakness or inefficiency. John Heckman, list- ening, felt a thrill as if the Lord had called him to an especial work. And yet, as he thought it over after church, he did not understand what he felt sure had been the voice of his Master, There was nothing in his life or in his surroundings to call for any unusual effort or service. He had been accustomed to take his part in the young people's prayer-meeting ; he had for some months been teaching a class in the primary department of the Sunday School. It was none of these duties to which God seemed to be calling him. He wondered if it could be possible that God meant him to be a minister. Long he thought and wondered what it meant, this strong imj^ression that service of a sort differ- ent from any of his own planning was waiting for him somewhere. At length he knelt, and the inirden of his prayer was "Here, Lord, am I. Though 1 hold but a rod, ihou canst make it ? m II 8 CALLED. power, ami 1 am waiting to be sliown what it is that thou hast tor mc to do." And often in the days that followed closely upon this solemn hour of consecration he prayed this prayer for direction. He had not long to wait. One morning they sat together at the breakfast table, knelt together at the family altar, and went their several ways, little thinking that it was the last time. At noon John stood beside the lifeless body of the one who had been as a father to him for nearly six years. So unexpectedly had the summons come to the strong man. m M ■4 1 f ■M m ■^ B -# a CHANGES. CHAPTER It CTIANfiES. "Tome now, therefore, and T will send thee." PLANS for the ordering of the changed liouse- hold matured rapidly. John's uncle had always meant to provide for the boy who had been like a son to him ; but, as is too often tl"pe case, had neglected to make the provision. Though Mrs. John Heckman was fond of her husband's nephew, she did not feel a responsibility for his future; indeed, the burden of caring for herself and her one daughter was almost more than she could bear. John was now old enough to look out for himself, and, as she decided to close the house and go to live with her parents, she considered her duty done when she had put John's wardrobe in order, furnished him with an entire winter outfit, pur- chased his ticket to his old home, and given him, at parting, a draft for one hundred dollars. She i !■ I 16 CKAKGt^S. carefully packed his trunk, which was a lari^e one that had been her husband's, putting in books from the library, and adding gifts for the mem- bers of the family at home, and then she said — "John, do you think your sister would care for some of my dresses to make over? You know I shall never wear them now, and I'^lla is too young to make it worth while to keep them or cut them over for her. I could put in my brown cashmere and that summer silk you like so much ; and there's that heavy wine-colored one — she might as well have that, too. I think your uncle would like to have me send them." •'Thank you. Auntie ; I am sure you are very kinci, and I am afraid that new dresses arc scarce with mother and Beth nowadays. I am certain that things arc not going well at home. I do not understand about it, but I begin to think that there will be work for me there." "I know your uncle was troubled about them; he said he could not understand Joe's going away, and wliy your mother said so little about him in her letters." "She seldom mentions him," said John, "and I don't know what to think." "Well, you know ihr.t Mr. Hummel will give you a place il yt)u cone hide to come back. I sometimes f.hinlv }'ou would do l)etter to stay heri,', though 1 CITANr.ES. H m think you arc ri<;lit to f these, and she had too soon and too eniirelv i_',l'/en '»p the steering of the craft into the hanus oi the two older boys. And now, because oi tneir mexpe'^iencc and stubbornness, I 34 AGREEMENTS AND niSAGREEMENTS. iN I (11 ||| 'I iA and the mutiny and final desertion of one, the old ship was almost v/recked. John very often wondered \ hy his mother had allowed herself to take, or be remanded to, a sub- ordinate position in the management of affairs, and he would say to Beth, as they planned for the " Kxodus " they meant to make — "Whatever we do, mother must be the bead.' They had been unable tu decide how best to approach Stephen with their plans. At length, Beth said — " I think the best way will be to go right on and plan and work without reference to him. Let mother manage him." "Still, it seems as if we ought to take him into our confidence. It won't do to try to go one way while he is pulling the other, and may be if he knew what we wanted to do, he would [n ] with us." "Not much' He will have to b* MaJj over from 'top to toe' before he and you can mhII i^he same way." "But, after all, it might be better to talk it over with him," persisted John. " And get snubbed for your |)ains ! Now you just take my advice. Anyway, I am to do the talking, so let me take my time foi telling him. It will all come out right if we lei taiiigs take their course." Meantime, Johii, after talking it over with hi« ii< !i) i I AGREP:!\TENTS ami 1)I.SA(1KEEMENTS. 35 : old had sub- rfairs, r the jr we jst to :ngth, to go ICC to n into c way if he 1 with b over nil ♦^he Lalk it |\v you llo Ihe him. take Ith his mother, mustered courage to go and sec Colonel Parsons, to whom the debt was due. "How much is my mother's debt to you?" he asked. "What do you want to know for.-*" growled the colonel. "Want to pay it, I suppose.?" " Yes, sir, I want to pay it ; not to-day, of course, but " — " I thought likely it wouldn't be to-day." " Hut, sir, I intend to pay that debt." " You do ! " The boy's tone was so quiet and so resoluio that Colonel Parsons could not help it that his own changed somewhat, softening a trifle. "Yes, sir; and I came over this morning to ask you how long you can give me to pay it in." "That's a pretty question to ask me! You must know that I can't get hold of the farm until that youngster is of age, and there is no likelihood that there'll ever be live stock or any crops worth attaching." " T don't know about that, sir. I live at home now, and I mean to stock the farm if I can make some arrangement with you." " You ! And who are you that you put on such airs.-*" And as he spoke Col. Parsons sur- veyed the young fellow who stood before him, modest and unassuming in manner, yet deter- mined in attitude and in exjjression. 36 ac;kp:ement.s and I)Isa(;reemknts. Nji 115 Vi' " I am Mrs, licckman's son. I have not been at home since my father died, until lately ; now I have come home to stay." "So you said ; but what of it.''" "Well, I have been thinkinj.,^ matters over and talking with mother, and she says we may try. So I have come over to see if I can make some agreement with you, as my mother's creditor, so I can go on and stock the farm, and make an effort to get clear of this old Pharaoh." " Don't go to calling names, you young ras- cal ! " shouted the colonel. "I beg your pardon," said John, quickly; "I did not mean you. You see, my sister and I have named this debt, that won't let us have a chance, 'old King Pharaoh,' and we are just going to try to beat him out," and the boy laughed. "What in the world do you mean.'*" asked the colonel. " Why, you remember the liible story ? " "No; I haven't looked in a Bible these forty years. I suppose my wife has one somewhere around the house, but I don't know any ]iible stories." "Well, you just read up old Pharaoh the first chance you get, and then you will see what Beth and I mean." " Blame me if I don't ! I want to find out AGREEMENTS AND niSAr.REEMENTS. 37 just boy forty iwhcrc Bible ic first t Beth lul out what this youngster has got into his head." Then in a louder tone — "Now what is it that you want of me? " "1 want a chance to pay that debt." "Who'll hinder you if you want to pay it?" "You can hinder me, sir, if you choose." "Likely ril hinder any one paying me money that they owe me ! Seems to me that you must take me for a fool." "No, sir; not at all. ]kit I think you under- stand that by the terms of my father's will the farm cannot be sold until my brother Frank is twenty-one, and he is only eleven now. But, as I understand it, you can take anything we may raise or any stock we may have for the debt. I want to make a contract with you. You are to give me five years, or until I am twenty-one, to pay you. If you do this, you will be no worse off than you will be if you refuse, and you stand a chance of getting your money sooner ; for, unless I can get such an agreement, of course it will be of no use to try to do anything in the way of stocking the farm, or to lay out any work on it." "I see," replied the colonel. "You think you have the advantage. You are a sharp ont- ; \vh(» is your lawyer? Why didn't you send him to talk this over?" "I haven't any lawyer. I have been rradin,', 3« AGREEMENTS ANf) 1 )ISAr,REEMENTS : Hi 1 !i:; the will and studying up the matter, and this is the way it seems to me." " I guess you are about right. I am in a tight fix, I know ; and I tell you, boy, I never expected to get a cent until the farm came into the market, and by that time I reckoned the interest would have eaten up the farm, for I manage to get only just about enough out of your mother to keep the debt from outlawing. Ten years is a good while to wait for the pleasure of turning you all out of doors, isn't it ? And I guess, seeing as how you have studied it all out, I may as well fall in with your plan and take the chances with you. If I understand it, what you want is this : No matter how much blooded stock and how many fine horses and carriages you have, I am not to lay my hands upon anything for five years. Is that it ? My, you are a sharper ! " "Well, if I am, do you not see that my sharp- ness will benefit you as well as myself?" "But see here, young man. You arc a minor; I cannot enter into any contract with you legally." " Yes, sir, you can ; at least, you can bind your- self, and that is all I want." " You young scamjD ! You want to get the better of me, after all." "No, sir; and don't you see that you will not be any worse off yourself if you give me a chance llliili m AGREEMENTS AND DISAGREEMENTS. 39 to do something ? 1 think that you will be will- ing to do that when you come to think of it, and I do not believe that you are afraid to trust me. I shall live up to my agreement just the same as if I was legally bound." " How do you know all this if you have not been to a lawyer.-*" " I studied civil government at school, and I have heard my uncle talk with men who came to the office." " Humph ! I suppose other boys have studied things, too ; but fellows of your age don't gener- ally set themselves up to wheedle old fellows like me into making contracts that only bind on one side." "But not many boys of my age are situated just as I am," returned John, with a little tremble in his voice which the colonel noticed, but he only said - - "Well, well, you do beat all the youngsters I ever saw. Going to try to pay the debt, eh ? Well, I suppose I may as well give you the chance. As you say, I will not be any worse off, for you can't cat up the land nor run away with it. Now, just how do you want to fix it .-'" Hereupon the boy laid his plan in detail before the astonished man, who saw that it was certainly not unfair to himself, and that he could in no way be the loser by entering into it ; and, on the other . ,1 m 40 AGREEMENTS AND DIPAGREEMEXTS. . ii 1 !'l5i hand, he iiiii^ht be the gainer. Just how much he was to gain by that simple act, he did not then suspect ; iiulecd, he could not have understood had he been told of all the results that would flow from that morning's work. "What about Stephen.'' Will he fall in with this scheme of yours.?" "I do not know; I wanted to be certain of your assistance before I talked with him. Of course, mother is pleased, or 1 should not have come to you. Beth will stand by me, and I think Stephen will be willing that the experiment should be made. Like yourself, he will not be hurt if it fails." " Well, have it your way ; I shall be going to the village Saturday, and you can go along, so we will have Judkins fix this up ship-shape." "Thank you; I am sure you will never be sorry for this." John turned away, not daring to trust himself to say another word ; he had heard so much of Colonel I'arsons' gruffness and hard-hcartedncss tliat he had dreaded this interview; and now that it was over, and he had gained his point, he was almost overcome. The coloriel looked after him, and said to hmi- self — "That's a plucky fellow, any way, and he thanked me as if I was doing him a great favor in helping him to hoist that burden on to his young AflRKKMF.XT!^ A\D DIRAGREEMEXTS. 41 no in l^i^ shoulders. But, if he is like the rest of them, he will drop it quick enough." It was the next day, after supper. Beth was mixing a bread-sponge while her mother washed up the dishes. Drawing her head out of the bar- rel, she exclaimed - — "I declare, this flour-barrel is almost empty agam ! John had just finished filling the wood-box; Stephen sat with his chair tilted back against the wall, and as Beth looked from one brother to the other, she thought — •' Steve is the very picture of shiftlessness." Stephen was a great disappoint- ment to this sister ; she had been proud of him not so very long ago ; but lately she was, as she said, " out of patience with him more than half the time." John walked over and looked into the flour-bar- rel, and stood a moment beside the girl as she sifted and stirred with an energy that was char- acteristic ; presently he turned toward his mother. " Don't you think, mother, it would be a good plan to put in an acre or two of spring wheat,'' Vou know I helped Mr. Swan fan his wheat the other day, and he said he would let us have som.o seed wheat." Stephen's chair came down on all four of its legs. "Who is running this farm, any way.-*" he 'A 4^ AGREEMENTS AND DISAGREEiVf ENTS Nil !i 1 i : I i III '• : asked, angrily. " It strikes nic that the fellow that does the work ought to make the plans ; it need not concern you what I sow. If I do the work I'll do the planning." "All right," John sung out, good-naturedly, "we agree there; and as I have been doing my share since I came home, I thought I might as well do a little planning." "Work! Winter's work isn't anything." "No; it is only to build the fires in the morn- ing, bring water, cut wood for the year's supply, attend to the stock, and shovel paths, besides a few other little things ! " Early in the winter John had discovered that his mother was accustomed to rise first and build the fire and that Stephen was not in the habit of getting up until called to breakfast, grumbling then if breakfast was on the table before nine o'clock; and John had soon fallen into the way of "doing the chores," as the morning and evening round of work is styled. Knowing all his brother had done, Stephen felt the thrust a little; yet he answered, crossly — "Well, I don't suppose you expect to come home and live upon us without doing anything, do you.?" "Oh, boys, don't quarrel." It was the moth- er's beseechiMg voice. "No, we are not; I tlon't see anything to quar- AGRKRMENTS AND UlSAOREEMKNtS. 43 th- iir- rcl about. As I understand things, vvc have equal rights here. It I have not done anything here in all these years, neither have I cost you anything. Of course mother is the one to say what shall be done. But, now I have come home, we ought to do more work on the farm and so get ahead a little. It seems to me that, if we all take hold together, we can get out of debt and fi.x up things nicely." " Out of debt ! We can never do that, and there is no use in talking of it. The only way is to live along as best we can. The old farm is like a millstone about our necks; it just drags us down. If it had not been for that senseless will " — "Stop!" It was the mother's voice again, but not beseeching as before ; it was commanding, and even Stephen was startled. •'You shall not speak so of your father's plans." •'I'll say what I think," declared the angry boy. "Not in this house, if that is what you think." " I should like to see anybody shut my mouth," he retorted. "You forget that the house is mine, and that you are not of age," said Mrs. Heckman, out- wardly calm but inwardly frightened at herself. "Well, I think I have some rights here," insisted Stephen, speaking a little more calmly. "Now, let me speak," said Beth. "There 44 AGREKMEXTS AND DISAGREEMENTS. lir !!J*i 'i;;l' ill' seems to be a difference of opinion as to who is the liead of this household; it • ' "ht as well be settled." "Why, mother is the head, of course," said Stephen. "Then if it is not a difference of opinion, the difficulty is in the practice, eh, Stevie ? " "Exactly! I don't want any city upstart lo come in and order me around." John's face flushed at this reference to himself, but he kept silent, having decided to let "Aaron " do the talking. Beth's cheeks we ^ very red, and she stood waiting, as if she did : consider that last remark worthy of a reply ; ana Stephen went on — " T concede that mother is the head ; but the rest of us have rights, and I don't propose to be crowded out, either ; and if I am not twenty-one I am old enough to have opinions, and after doing the work on the farm all these years, I ought to know best what ought to be done." "The faMii shows the work that has been done on it." Beth spoke sarcastically, and naturally Stephen Hew into a passion. "I've done more work here than I'll ever do. again ! " lieth had crossed the room and was standing beside Stephen ; now she laid her hand on his shoulder, saying- - "Stevie, you know it won't ])ay AGREEMKNTS ANH THSAGKEEMENTS. 45 to <,^L't cross at mc ; you always have the tioublc of getting over it, and being sorry. Now I want to say something. I am old enough to have opin- ions ; and, as I have done some of the work here, perhaps you will own that I ought to have a right to help plan. We have been going down hill ever since I can remember; we don't seem to be al)le to catch on to a bush or twig anywhere to hold on by; but we just slip, slip down, and at the rate vvc arc going, we shall soon be at the bottom, l^ut it seems to me Hiat if we would all take hold together and all pull together, we might get out of the slough." Stephen laughed in spite of his ill-temper. •'Say, Beth, aren't you mixing your metaphors a little.?" "Well, I'll go back to the first one. Plere John joins us just as we arc almost at the bottom, and he says — 'Let's climb up together, step by step, and we can get back by helping each other.' In other words, he thinks we can pay off the debts." "Then he is a simpleton! I'll never pay a cent of my earnings to old Parsons. You might just as well throw away your money." "I don't see how it can be throwing away money to pay an honest debt." " Honest debt ! There are precious few honest debts in this world. Poor people don't owe the rich anything. That old curmudgeon has more J !i \ I I'' IT. ^6 AGREEMENTS AND DISAGREEMENTS. than his share of property already. If we have been lucky enough to get hold of a little that rightfully belongs to us, so much our gain ; I sha'n't help pay it back, and you are a set of j)recious fools if you undertake it ! " We must do Stephen the justice to suppose that he had actually overlooked the fact that his mother might be included in this last remark. He had fallen, it is true, but not so low as to wit- tingly call his mother a fool. "Well, we are going to undertake it all the same, whether you approve or not," said the girl, nothing daunted by his rudeness. "Just what are you going to undertake?" "To pay Colonel Parsons the money we owe him, and to get things in better shaj^e. We have lived like 'poor whites' long enough; mother, won't you tell Stephen about the agreement Col- onel Parsons is willing to enter into .^ " "Yes, I knew there was something behind all this; and, if you have no objections, I should like to be let into the secret, though I may not care to have part or lot in the matter." And Stephen turned toward his mother. ♦"There is no secret, and very little to tell." Hright spots on both cheeks told of a strong feel- ing which Mrs. Heckman was holding in check by a will which had suddenly asserted itself. "'There is only this: John is quite willing to take AGREEMENTS AND DISAGREEMENTS. 4/ -r, If. kc hold with you ; and together you can do more thorough farming than you have been able to do alone, and it does seem as though we ;Tiight get upon our feet again. I would be glad if we might all work together harmoniously." "And let John be master, I suppose.^ Not if I know myself!" Shaking off Beth's detaining hand, Stephen banged out of the house. " I am afraid we made a mistake in not telling hini our plans sooner," said John, much troubled. •'We couldn't tell plans before they were made; and you see that even now he wouldn't wait to hear it out. It would have made no difference when we told him. I know Stephen Heckman better than you do. Any way, he will only fume around a spell and then settle down to doing nothing, as usual." "Elizabeth!" " Mother, I'm done. I will be patient ; but that boy does try me ! " As Beth predicted, Stephen recovered from his fit of ill humor; his mother tried to interest him in their plans, explaining the nature of the agree- ment which Colonel I'arsons was willing to enter into ; but he would not be interested, declared he would not help, that it could not be done, anil that the idea was "stuff and nonsense." One morning, after an evening spent at 1 lowland's, he announced — ;ii I |!l! '! AtiKKKMENTS AM) DISAGKEKMl'NTS. |i K " If you people are ^oing to be so silly as to turn all your earnin<;s into old Parsons' coffers, I shall look out for myself ; so I have engaged to work for Stedman this summer." "Stedman! Oh, Stephen, how can you?" "Seems to me you e hard to please." "Ikit he is such a hard man; it seems wrong to go into his employ." " Mother, I suppose Stedman's money is as good as any, and I guess you made a mistake four years ago ; you remember, that vacation before Joe went away, Deacon Jewett wanted me, and Mr. Bates advised you to let me go there ; but you said that we needed money badly, and Bur- gess offered me a dollar a month more, so you let me go there for the sake of the dollar. You put money before morals then ; and if Jim Burgess was good enough four years ago, I guess I can stand Stedman now." Mrs. Ileckman sighed ; she remembered that summer, and she had long ago seen her mistake ; it was not necessary that she should be reminded of it ; but, knowing it was useless to expostulate, she made no response to Stephen's remarks. But Jk'th, who was equal to any occasion, said — " Well, Stevie, I suppose you know that mother can collect your wages — every cent.-* If she says so, Mr. Stedman is obliged to pay the money to her." AGREEMENTS AXO DISAGREEMENTS. 49 icr Ihe ey ** It appears to mc that you arc getting very wise. I presume you will study for a lawyer yet. Ikit I can tell you that mother knows better than to do that ; she knows I won't work unless I can control my own earnings." •' All I have to say is, that you need a guardian ; you earned a hundred dollars last summer and fall in the canning factory, while I husked corn and dug potatoes ; and you spent every cent on your- self, and then came home for mother to support you through the winter. If you go off and leave the work here this summer, I think you ought to either pay mother part of your money or else take care of yourself next winter." "See here. Don't I buy my own clothes.-'" " Yes ; and you haven't had a decent thing to wear all winter." "Depends upon what you call decent. My clothes suit me well enough, and they suited you until John came home with his broadcloth." Mrs. Heckman and Beth set themselves to get- ting Stephen's wardrobe reatly, and in a few days lie went to fill his engagement. John was nuK-li troubled over Stephen's course; but his mother and Beth assured him that things were no worse for his being at home ; on the contrary, his brother was less difficult to get along with than formerly, John's presence seeming to be some- what of a check upon him. During the last few m if J 50 AGREEMENTS AND DISAGREEMENTS. '•» ii days of his stay at home he was very pleasant, and did more work than he had done for a long time. Meanwhile, the matter which the colonel had proposed to have Lawyer Judkins fix up had been arranged ; and as they came away from the office, Colonel Parsons said — "Well, I tell you, youngster, it is a long row and a tough one you have to hoe." "I know that; but one hill at a time, and steady at it, and the longest row will be finished at last." **How are you going to manage.''" "I don't know, exactly; I have a little money of my own ; we shall have to buy a few tools and seeds, and I want to set out as many small fruits as I can. We may have to let part of the land run wild this year for want of means to work it. We must make hay enough to keep what stock we have. I think I shall work if I can get a chance, to earn money to start with another year. I thought j)erhaps we could get some seed potatoes and seed corn upon condition of returning with use next fall. Mother says that sometimes farm- ers accommodate each other that way. Do you think we could do that ? We do not mean to ask favors which we cannot return." Colonel Parsons hstcned to the boy's recital of his plans, saying very little in reply ; but when liS AGREEMENTS AND I)lSA(iKEEMENTS. 51 :s li he had let John out of the carriage at home, he said, talking to his horse, I suppose — "I'm a fool; I know it, and I can't help it. I like the boy's grit ; I'll send him over a bushel of seed corn and some potatoes, and I sha'n't take 'em back next fall, either." A few days afterward, he was in the granary filling a bag with seed grain, and John was hold- ing the bag. "Well, you young Moses," the colonel began, " I have been reading up that story you spoke of the other day ; you see we have had several rainy days lately, and some rheumatic twinges warned me to keep dry, so I thought I would look up that old king. It is a pretty story, now isn't it ? That fellow Moses was a plucky fellow ; but then he never could have done anything without his rod ; you can't ever come it over your old Pha- raoh without a rod — ^ don't you know that?" " Oh, but I have my rod, too ! " "You have! Where do you kjep it?" " I keep it with me." " Haven't wrought any miracles with it yet, have you ? ' ' "Well, yes; I rather think so," replied John, thinking that if having this Colonel Parsons, who, everybody said, was such a hard man, so kind and helpful, was not a miracle, there never was one. "My wife thought it was queer that I had '■^l: i , ,1 ! 1 II i ,| : •^5 5^ A(iHi:KMP:NTS AND im.sa(JKf:p:ments. II taken to reading the Bible ; and to tell the truth, I felt rather queer myself — kind o' sheepish, you know. But I explained that I was looking up something you told me about. Now that is a pretty good notion of yours. Debt is a hard task- master; that part about making bricks without straw fits in first-rate. When a feilow is in debt he is tied hand and foot." "There are lots of good stories in that book," said John. "Yes, I suppose so; but some way I never took much interest in the Bible. I always calcu- lated that it belonged to the priests to do up the Bible for us. My wife reads it some, and my old mother used to love it. When I read about Moses lying there in the bulrushes, it came back to me how she used to tell me the story ; and if you'll believe it, I had to brush away the tears! Well, I am an old fool to be telling you this." The colonel broke off, and went back to the bin for an extra measure of seed. "There, if you have any luck you won't mind paying back the seed, and if you don't, we'll say the seed wasn't good for anything. Here, I'll give you a lift ; the bag is rather heavy for you." As John drove away, the colonel went back to the granary to shut down the lids of the bins, and as he came out and locked the door, he said — "There, there, I have been and made an old goose of myself AGREEMENTS AND niSAGREEMENTS. id again ! I do believe that boy has bewitched me." The spring wheat was put in the ground, other grains sown ; berry bushes set out, and a few grape-vines planted. Some necessary tools had to be purchased, but right here came in more of Colonel Parsons' foolishness, as he termed every act of kindness he was led into. ".See here!" he said. "You may as well hitch on to my wheel-plough ; it runs much easier than your old one." Again it was — "Don't be afraid to come to my tool-shop any time for spades or shovels, hoes or rakes ; you can return the favor some time, you know." Another day, he said — "Your team hasn't been very well fed, and Pat- rick might as well take the grays, and give you a lift on your ploughing to-day and to-morrow. It will be all right ; I presume I shall call on you before long for a favor." ii! .fit , II i 54 REACHING OUT, •:.. <<>, O 7 /A IMAGE EVALUATION TEST TARGET (MT-3) 1.0 IIM 12 2 I.I mil 1.8 1.25 U lilll.6 Fhotogrd[)hic Sciences Corporation / o .-^-A Up # <;^ Cv c?>^ \ \ •esTi^ (i^ 23 WIST MAIN STRiBT WEBSTIR.N Y I4S80 (716) 872-4503 I if. Mo r^ ' 86 A NEW DI'.I'AKTUKE. Stephen?" Her tones were calm and even; but, had Stephen looked at his mother, he would have seen an unusual brilliancy in her eyes and a flush upon her cheeks. "Nothing but a light and the use of the table. We thought we would withdraw from the crowd and have a little game by ourselves," at the same time producing a pack of cards. ••Oh, Stephen, I wouldn't to-night." ••Why not, I should like to ask.!*" Mrs. Heckman thought of .saying that Beth might not like it, as it was her company ; but she straightway put aside the idea of letting it rest upon her daughter's shoulders, and determined to adhere to her resolution to take a stand, so she said — ••! would much rather you would not play." "Well! Seems to me this is a new wrinkle. I suppose Lady Beth or my pious brother has put down the law; but I assure you" — " Stephen ! " Something in the mother's voice or manner silenced the young man, and she went on - " Perhaj)s T ought to have spoken before ol a resolutio!! I have made; but I hoped that llure might be no occasion for speaking. I hiive yielded to your wishes too long in this matter. I ought to have taken the stand before; but for the future, I most earnestly hope that neither child nor guest will ask to be allowed to play cards in my house. 1 owe your friends an apology." A NEW DKPARTURE. 87 '•Mrs. Heckman, we arc the ones to apologize," interrupted Dean Wilson. '* If I had thought of your having any objections, I would not have pro- posed this, for I was the one to propose it. I am very sorry." Stephen suddenly made a move, and taking his hat, he said — " Come on, boys ! Let's go where we can do what we like without interference." And he went out of the house, followed by Jack Swan. Young Howard slipped back to the com- pany in the other room. Dean stopped a moment to assure Mrs. Heckman that he would not have thought of going contrary to her wishes in the matter. While he still stood talking with her, Stephen came back to the side-door, and said — "Come on, Dean." •' No, I think I'll stay here. You know I was invited to spend the evening, and I am going to do it." Finding his persuasions of no avail, Stephen took himself off, and Dean returned to the parlor with Mrs. Heckman. Jk'th had been a little uneasy at the withdrawal of the four young men, and now looked up wonderingly ; but she had no suspicion of the scene which had just taken place, and so her evening was not spoiled. Dean Wilson was one of those young men of whom we are ever thinking in the words of the old refrain •* It might have been"; though he m ; i ' i ' 1 I % t m 88 A NKW DKPAKTUKE. was still young enough lor it to bo said — "It might be." There were possibilities in the young man, yet he was recklessly throwing them away. What cared he for possibilities, so long as there were before him certainties or even probabilities of a "good time"? He had a certain native grace and courtesy which, among the people of the neighborhood, passed for less than its worth ; indeed, so lightly was the gift held that the young fellow had grown chary of its use, and often affected a roughness which was foreign to his nature Like Stephen Heckman, he had con- siderable intellectual power which he was letting run to waste ; he was more industrious than Stei)hen, perhaps only because he was still under the control of his father, in that respect ; but he was counted throughout the vicinity as a wild, reckless young fellow. And this was the young man who presently If"*^*: Mrs. Heckman's side, and joining the group on the door-step, seated himself beside her bright young daughter. And with a sudden apprehension at her heart, the mother wondered if, after all, she might not have made a mistake in yielding to Stejihen's request, that Deun Wilson be among their invited guestb. THE QUESTION OF TRlliUTE. 89 CHAITKR VIII. THE QUESTION OF TRIMUTE. •'Thou shah make no covenant with them." STEPHEN was sauntering along the road toward the Corners when he met his brother Frank trundling a cart. "Say, Frank, don't you want to go with mc?'" "Where.?" •Just down here to the Corner." "Are you going to Rowland's?" "Maybe." "Then I can't go," said Frank. "I'd like to know why you can't.**" " Jiecause mother does not like to have me i' t there." * "liut you have just been there after groceries." " Hut mother always tells me not to stay when I go there after things." "That's all right when you are alone, hut you i|i|" ^w^ 90 THE QUESTION OF TRIBUTE. can go with mc. There's to be a show there to-night and some music — a fellow with a banjo; you never heard a banjo, did you?" The little fellow hesitated. '•Come along," urged Stephen. "Wait until I go and ask mother." " Nonsense ! Come along ! I can't wait all night. The music will be over." " But I must take these things home first." "Well, you just slip in, and put them on the kitchen table and run right back ; don't say a word to anybody, and they will think you have gone out to play, and we will get back before they will miss you. Hurry r,p, now." It seemed as though Satan had set himself to entrap the boy thus early, and had put his own brother to the work ; but He who guards the lambs of the flock was watchful, too. Stephen grew tired of waiting, and went on, saying — - " I might have known that the little dunce would not know how to manage it. He is a cute little chap sometimes, and I thought he might as well have some fun ; but I suppose Jolui has spf)iled it for this time." The way the plan came to naught was this: lieth's friend Lizzie had halted at the gate in a carriage, and was saying — "Oh, Ik'th, lam so sorry! I forgot that book I promised to bring up ; 1 wanted you to read it, THE QUESTION OF TRIBUTE. 91 and I must send it back to the library in a day or two. " Never mind," said Beth, consolingly. "I do mind. Rut here's Frcink. Can't he ride down with me now, and run back with the book? There will be time before dark." There was no help for it. And indeed, the prospect of a ride was quite a recompense for the loss of the show, banjo and all. However, he hesitated a little, at which Beth wondered, and after he came back she thought to ask — " Frank, didn't you want to go down with Lizzie to-night ? I thought you acted as though you didn't quite like the plan." "\es, I wanted to go, only" — "Only what.?" "Stevie was waiting for me." Then Beth drew out the whole story, how Stephen had coaxed him, and how he was going to slip away without telling anybody of his intention. vOh, dear!" exclaimed Beth, *' I wish that saloon would burn up or sink, or something." It was a hard task set that mother to explain to one boy why he might not go where the elder boy wished to take him, without destroying the little fellow's confidence in his brother, and this she dreaded to do; and then I'Vank said — '* JUit, mother, I go there very often for things, 92 THE QUKSTIOX OV 1 KIIiUTE, and sometimes I liave to wait a lonj^ time; I don't see why it would be any worse to wait just because I wanted to than to wait because I had to. If I got drowned on purpose, or because 1 fell in the water and couldn't get out, I'd be dead all the same, wouldn't I ? " She knew not jut:t what to say — what she did say was — " Dear child, it is hard for you to understand things now ; but you must try to believe that mother knows best what is right, and remember to obey her." When I^'rank had gone to bed, John asked — " How long has there been this store, or saloon, or whatever it may be called, here on the Hill.?" "I don't remember just when he began to sell liquors. Mr. Howland opened a store about five years ago, and it really seemed quite a conven- ience, especially for people who have no horse; at this distance from the village it is often diffi- cult to get what is needed, and the j)lace is handy for the people who bring their milk to the factory." •' I can easily understand that. It is certainly very convenient to have a store here." "At first he kejit only groceries and provi- sions ; after awhile he sold new cider, then lemon beer and ginger j^op; then he took out a beer license, freely." "And " Vcs. because he took would o there ; s( obliged t things fr "Motl there ; 1 sold if I ••1 kn done moi than anyi it was a was alwa and one sjiend hi • But Jul; after ••Yes, John's strenght his unci and true aeteristi '0[\c of THK ()ri:STI()\ ()!• TKIHUTK. 93 Lime; I ■ait just - I had cause I 3e (li;a(i she (]i(! crstand ^0 that ncniber (1 - saloon, )n the to sell lit five onven- horsc ; 1 diffi- handy the rtainiy provi- lomon 1 beer license, and for two years he has sold whiskey freely." "And you always trade there?" " \'cs. You know at first we went there because it was handy for us, and afterward, when he took out a license, Joe and Stephen said it would offend Mr. Howhind if we did not trade there ; so we kei)t on, and it seemed as if we were obliged to, it being as I say, so difficult to get things from the village." " Mother, I wish we need not buy anything there ; I will never enter a place where liquor is sold if I can avoid it." " 1 know it is a bad place ; I believe it has done more to ruin the boys of this neighborhood than anything else. Hoys like to be together, antl it was a handy place to drop into; Mr. I lowland was always pleasant and made every one widcome, and one need not drink if he did go there to spend his evenings with the rest." "lint 1 suppose the most of them get to drink- inu, after awhile .'' " '• \'es, T suppose so." John's temperance jjrinciplcs had grown and stn-nghtened during the years that he was under. liis uncle's care and training, and he was stanch and true and consistent. Neither were these char- acteristics confined to the temperance question. 'Oi\<^ of hib uncle's professional friends offered lf:!'t II'. ; I I 'll{hHl 94 THF. OUKSTION OF^ IKIIIUTF:. him a ticket to a circus that was accompanied by the collection of animals, so often the net spread for unwary feet. Upon being pressed for the reason of his j)olite refusal of the intended kind ness, he said that he never attended entertain- ments of that character. "But," said his friend, "it is a fine show ot animals, and you want to see them." "Not if I have to see them in connection with a circus." "But you will miss them entirely then, for the animals always accompany a show of thai character." " Well, I will wait, and sometime I may be able to visit the Zoological Gardens." "But that will involve an expensive journey." "Yes, sir; I know that. But Uncle John has often told me that consistency is sometimes expensive." Having grown up with this idea that no price is too great to pay for a clear conscience, and that to be free from complicity with evil and to be consistent is worth the ])rice, cost what it may, it was no wonder that John Heckman was not will- ing to patronize Howland's saloon grocery, though the carrying out of the opposite course might be attended with great inconvenience. "I don't want to go there any more than you do," said Beth, as they talked it over. "But 1 do not ,1 bui are, THK QUESTION OF TRIBUTE. 95 l,y not sec how you arc going to manage. If wc had I buggy it would be different ; but situated as we are, I don't see how wc can manage it." " We'll have to ! Moses would never have got away in the world if he had been all the time say- ing — *I don't sec how we are going to manage.' If the Lord says- -'Have nothing to do with ihis thing'-- and you and I believe He does — it isn't my business to make a way in the desert. We must just follow the directions as they fol- lowed the pillar and the cloud." 'John, how in the world did you ever learn so much Bible.'*" "Just as we learn anything — by studying it. You see it was like this : The stories of those old heroes of Bible times interested and fascinated nic, and I used to talk them over with Uncle John, and he would say that was like such and such a circumstance or situation in our life ; and I suppose that is where I caught the trick of fit- ting everything to our own affairs, which seems so (|ueer to you. But it makes the Bible more real, more as if it belonged to us and our time ; it fits right into our lives, don't you see?" •* Yes, I see." "I remember a sermon which Mr. Williams preached ; Mr. Williams was our pastor, you know. He said that whenever we made a league with an evil because it was conycnient, we were I ! c)6 THE OUKSTION or IKIIJUIK. |i <' i; t 'I like the Israelites when, instead of drivinj; out the kings, they conquered them and made them pay tribute. Now, don't you see, if we go lo 1 lowland's because it is convenient, we make evil tributary to us and the tribute we take is ' our convenience ' ? " "Well, that is so. But I never thought about it that way, and I don't believe mother ever did. The most I thought about it was that I hated to go there because there are always so many hang- ing about, and then I knew it was a bad place for Stephen, and I was afraid that Frank would get to going there, too." "I don't see how the people around the Hill endure to have liquor sold right here in the neighborhood." " Oh, Howland pays a heavy tribute to others as well as to us!" returned Beth, quickly, show- ing that she had caught the thought. "John." This after a long silence. "Well.?" "Wouldn't it be a grand thing if we could do something to stop liquor-selling on West Hill.-'" "Yes, but we couldn't." "John Heckman! Are you asleep or crazy.?" "Neither, I think. Why.?" " Because something must be the matter when you .say a thing that ought to be done can't be done." THE OUESTinx OF TRIBUTE. 97 "But, Both, I really don't sec much chance of success in fighting this evil. Uncle used to say that it is so deeply intrenched in the laws and in the hearts of the people, that a mighty army will be required to overthrow it, and what are you and I against it ?" "We haven't got to figit the whole evil, only this little bit of the enemy's army. Isn't there something in the l^ib' to ht in ihere, somctliing about every man's work n front of his own house ?" "'Every one over again^^t his house.' But, Beth, you know there is a liquor league, and when one little country saloon is attacked, they put their whole force, if needed, to crush out th^' effort." "Yes, I know that." There was a whole vol- ume of doubt in her tone, at which her brother wondered ; but as she did not say anything more, he returned to his reading. She sat for a long time with her hands folded in her lap, and hei eyes wearing that far-away look , then she spoke again — "John." He turned toward her, laying down his paper at once, and waited. "You remember when they blew up lleli (iate, the match was applied by the hand of a little 1 i «drP" Ill ■ 98 THE QUESTION OF TRIBUTE. II "Yes; I remember reading about it." "And it blew up all the same, you remember?" "Yes." "Well, I don't suppose we could blow up the saloon, but we might be the ones to touch it off. Sec.?" "No, I don't see. In the case of Hell Gate, the work was all done — the tunnel dug out, charges of dynamite and gunpowder put in, wires laid — then the little girl touched the key of the battery and off it went." "Just so! Do you suppose the little girl knew all that had been done ? I think I have heard that she was a very little girl, just a baby; but she did just what her father told her to do. Now how do you know but the time to touch off the moral battery that is to blow up the saloon is very near ? How do you know but the Lord has everything ready ? Seems to me, that if I were on such intimate terms with Him as you arc, I would ask Him about it, and keep watch and stand ready to touch it off if He said the word." STEPHEN A CUMBERER. 99 CHAPTKR IX. STET'HF.X A crMHKKER. " P.t'hold these three years I come seeking Iruit." THAT Stephen Ilcckman was a sore trial to his family must be evident to every one who has followed our chronicle thus far. The dreadful uncertainty as to Joe's whereabouts and welfare was not more trying than the knowledge of the course this second son was pursuing. Ik'th lost all patience, while John was puzzled and distressed, and sometimes greatly annoyed and vexed. While he worked most steadily, Stephen did next to nothing upon the farm, yet was con- tinually thwarting John's plans and asserting his right, as the elder brother, to manage their affairs. It was often difficult, and sometimes im- possible, to prevent him from sjiending tiie little money that was coming in, but more and more ]\Trs. Ilcckman was asserting herself and taking ■i , '.' Ill' 111 If lOO STEPHKN A crMI'.F.KF.R. her phicc as the head of her family. How could she do otherwise, with John and Beth continually referrini;- to her and paying her the deference i^nd honor which was her due, and which she had never received from the older boys ? Yet the poor mother was always ready with excuses when- ever Beth complained of Stephen. She would say — "But you know, Elizabeth, that Stephen would be different if he could have a chance to do some- thing that he has a taste for. It is being obliged to give up his studies and being tied down to the farm, \vhich he hates, that has made him so reck- less. If we could only get along without him, and he could get into some other business, I think he would do better." " l^ut, mother, he tried it in the spring, and here he is back again doing nothing." "But he did not get a good place, and the work was not at all congenial." " I su{)pose he thinks that the work John and I do is congenial ! If I gave up for that reason, I should sit with folded hands the most of the time." " Really, Elizabeth, I think you are too hard upon your brother. He is kind-hearted. He told me the other day that if he had stayed at Stedman's, he intended to have brought home j)art of his earnings." STEPHEN A CUMBERER. lOI "He might have brought home his money, but he would have been sure to spend it at How- land's," said Beth, bitterly. Listening to such conversation as this between his mother and sister led John to make a resolve. If this were true ; if, as his mother said, Ste- phen's disappointment had made him bitter and reckless ; if his distaste for farm life had so nearly ruined him, so crushed out his ambition, could not something be done to change all this.'' Now that this strong younger brother was there to put a shoulder to the wheel, why should not Stephen strike out for himself, if he wished to do so .* He was not yet twenty years old. What was to hinder him from working his way through college as many others have done .'' True, three years of careless living had undone much of the work of his school days, and he had formed habits which it would be hard to shove off. In his present state of mind, it was hardly possible that he would accept release from the responsibilities of the farm if it were offered him. Then again, if he were to carry his idle and spendthrift ways, his drinking and gambling habits, into another sphere of life, he could not help making a failure of it. John saw all this, and yet, after much thought and much taking of counsel with tin- (rreat Leader, he determined to watch his oppor- tunity and speak to Stephen. One afternoon 'I I 1 02 STEPHEN A CUMRERER. when they were at work together, Stephen hinv self opened the way liy saying — "John, you do this as if you liked it." -Well, I don't — and I do." Then, as Ste- phcn looked for an explanation — "Well, I don't like it in itself, but there are certain results to be worked out which I do like." "You have more faith in the results than I have," replied Stei)hen, relapsing into moodiness. " I feel as if a whole mountain lay on top of everything" we undertake to do. It was a great mistake, my going to school just long enough to get a taste for something besides farming." "Stephen," began John, after a little j)ause, "I want to talk to you about something." " Fire away ! You generally aim straight, and I suppose I'll get knocked over; but I'm flat, any way. "I heard mother saying, the other day, that you were a first-rate scholar when you left school." John stood in what was an unusual position for him, leaning upon his hoe, while Stephen was striking somewhat random blows with the one he held. John did not know what to say next. There were two reasons why it was hard to say what he meant to. One reason was, it would be to put still further away from him all hope or thought of a college course tor himself, and the STKIMIEN A CUMRERER. 103 other reason was, it was not easy to talk with this hrother. He was such an uncertain individual, one never knew in what spirit his remarks would ])e met. He waited now to see what encourage- ment he might receive to go on. At length Ste- phen assumed a position similar to his own, and the two stood looking at each other. "Well, is that all you have to say?" "And she said you were all ready for college." " Humph ! I guess those are phrases that mother has got up for use when she wants to praise her boys. I heard her say the same thing of you the other day. Well, old fellow, I suppose we will go about the same time. There seems to be a fine opening for us ; though, on the whole, I think I will take a trip to the moon instead ; I could do one as easily as the other." "Stephen, I have something to say. Though I am slow of speech, nevertheless it may be worth your hearing." "All right, go ahead," and Stephen assumed an air of mock seriousness and attention. " I want to ask a question or two " — " Oh, you want information ! I fancied you had some to impart." " Perhaps I may have after I get a little more to put with what I have already." "Going to make a mixture.-* Don't give me i\ problem in allegation ; 1 never liked that rule. .1; ) 1 1 1. (I I ; I i l,^«^ I04 STEPHEN A riTMRKRER. They understand it pretty well at I lowland's, though." "I wanted to ask how you expected to get through college if Joe had stayed on at home and you could have kept on at school. Were things going on so well that you expected mother to pay your bills .'" "Well, I wonder, I do wonder if you think 1 am the one who has done all the running be- hind here. That's compliinencary ; pay my way! Mother pay my way with Joe managing things! Not much ! I expected to work my way through, and I could have done it. A self-made man was what I meant to be. I tell you, John — no, 1 won't tell you anything. I don't want to talk about it." "But I do. Now, if three years ago you thought you could work your way through, why can't you do it now.-*" "Are you crazy .'^ I look like a college chap, don't I .-^ Come now, don't 1.-*" *• Not exactly ; but so long as you arc not one as yet, I do not see what your looking like one or not looking like one has to do with the ques- tion. And I ask again, Why not start right off now and do what you intended to do three years were broken o goin} your ph by J< awa y Now, John lleckman, you ilo not know what STF.PHEN A CUMBERER. 105 you are talking about. In the first place, if 1 wanted to do it ever so much I could not." "Why not.''" The question was put quietly, but in a tone that expressed great doubt of the truth of the last statement, and Stephen became convinced that, crazy or not, John was honest and was waiting for an honest answer. "In the first place, three years ago I could have commanded a good position where I might have earned enough to pay my way , but who wants a shabby loafer like me .-^ Oh, I know it! I am a loafer ; that is what they call me. And now I'll tell you the plain truth. I expect to loaf away the rest of my life. On the whole, I rather like it." "Stephen, I wish you would not talk so. You could soon fit yourself for any position you choose." "It isn't worth while. There's three years lost, and I'm twenty years old. It is too late to do anything if I wanted to." "And in five years you will be twenty-five years old, whether you 'loaf away the time, as you say you expect to, or whether you turn about and make something of yourself. Time won't stop for you in either case. And it seems to me that what you are at twenty-five depends upon your- self and the use you make of the years between now and then. 1 have read that every man is I'li 1 06 STEPTTEN' A fTMRERER. , I the architect of his own fortunes, and I ^uoss it is true. Hut, Stephen, I think you are building your fortune upon a shaky foundation " — "Quite a sermon, I declare!" was the bitter, sarcastic interruption. " Ikit I don't want to hear any more." Stephen's mood had changed from the good- naturedly-reckless to one of bitter anger, "I did not mean it for a sermon," was the response, in the same quiet manner to which John had held himself throughout the conversation. •'I only wanted to tell you that if you thought you could do better for yourself by going back to your studies and working through a course of study, I could manage alone, and maybe by and by we could help you some," If Stephen could have known what it cost his brother to say that ! But he was too angry to see the self-sacrifice embodied in that remark, or to understand the bitterness of John's Marah ; and even if he had not been angry, I think that at that period he was too selfish to have understood it. If he had thought of a Marah at all, it woukl have been his rather than another's. He threw down his hoe, and said fiercely — "I see your scheme — right through it! I am not a fool, if I am a loafer It is a plan to get rid of me. You can kick me out any time without getting u\) schemes that sound brotherly and J?TEPITF,X A rUMBFRER. lO" self-denying and all that. Vou need not trouble yoLii head with thinking out plans for my benefit ; you might overdo and have brain fever. 1 would have gone long ago, only some way 1 cling to mother. She felt so badly about Joe's going off that I fancy she would cry a little over me. But I may come up missing some fine morning. The fact is, you and Beth manage mother about as you like, and I do not suppose she would miss me very much, after all." "Stephen!" The tone was one of distress. "Why will you misunderstand.'*" " Oh, I understand I I am not so thick-headed as not to be able to take a hint. And now, if you are through with your suggestions, I'll be off. Don't bother your head with any more philan- thropic schemes for my benefit. Better turn your attention to the heathen." John was more discouraged and sorrowful than ever before. He had blundered sadly, having failed to put the matter before Stephen in the light he meaiU to. Perhaps it would have been better had he persuaded his mother to talk with Stephen. Indeed, now that he thought it over, he was sure that would have been the wiser plan. He being the younger brother, naturally the elder would resent anything that might be construed into interference or dictation. Yet he had only done what he thought he ought to do. Why had loR STF.PiiKN A crMnr.RKR. he so miserably failed ? In the dark days that followed closely upon this hour John often won dered how the Lord was going to use this mis- take. It did not seem to him possible that it could work out any good to any one; yet there was the promise. Stephen went directly to the stable, led out and saddled one ni the horses, and, mounting, rode away — rode as if for life; and I think he almost wished he were riding out of life. JOHN'S MARAH. 109 CHAPTER X. J O H N S M A R A H . "They could not drink of the waters of Marah. ALMOST beside himself with raL^c, Stephen urged his horse forward. Alternately he set his teeth and raged inwardly, or broke sud- denly into wild, audible ravings. He raved at John, at Beth, at Joe, at fate, at everything and everybody excepting Stephen Heckman. In his way of putting it that young man was a most cruelly treated individual. If he were not all that he ought to be, it was through no fault of his own ; circumstances had made him what he was ; had he been given half a chance, he might have been somebody ; but it was too late now. The absurdity of the thought that at twenty it was too late to turn about and make a man of himself did not occur to him. He rode on for several miles at breakneck speed, unmindful of his weary horse. At length, H no TOriN S MA RAH. the Strength of his passion having spent itself, he turned homeward, riding more slowly. lie seemed in deep thought, as if he were making up his mind what to do ; and presently he said through his teeth — "I'll do it. I'll cut loose from them all this very night ! They may just get along the best way they can, and I will take care of myself ! I shall not run away ; but I will go in and tell mother that I am going, and I'll go!" It might have been a tender thought of his mother that caused him to waver in his determ- ination, but I think it was the recollection of the fact that he had no money, that settled the mat- ter, for he was not quite ready to take up the role of a "tramp." And after another brief period of silence he struck his horse into a gallop, saying with even more determination than before — "I'll not go. I will stay at home and hold on to my rights. I will let John and Beth know that I am master, and they will have to do as I say." How it happened he could never tell ; old Prince was generally surefooted, yet some way he suddenly stumbled and fell, carrying his rider with him. Stephen was conscious of a quick, sharp agony, then — how long afterward he did not realize — he felt himself lifted, and heard voices that sounded as though they came from a great way off ; it seemed like words spoken through a tube. lOHN '^ MAR AH. Ill ''Carefully. I think this lug is broken.'' •'lie is coming to. There! He has fainted again." A neighbor had seen the fall, and, summoning aid, sent messengers to tell the family and bring a physician. In the gathering twilight they car- ried him home. They thought he was uncon- scious, as indeed he was the most o! the time, and they were not very cautious in their remarks. Stephen heard the low question of one who came up later — " Had he been drinking.'' " and the reply — " I do not know ; I have not detected any odor of liquor ; but if he had been, the fall has sobered him, I reckon." Stephen remembered that question long ; in the weary weeks that followed, it came back to him again and again, and his cheeks would flush with shame just at the memory. Was this, then, the reputation he had made for himself.'' Well, it was only another evidence that he was right in his belief that it was too late to make anything out of his life. He had gone too far on the down- hill road to think of turning back now. He never once acknowledged that it was of his own will that he had taken this downward course ; he always argued that he had been dragged down by circumstances. The physician who carne in response to the 111 i i} I 12 JOHN S MA K All. siiddcii summons found ;l broken lc<^ and a few bruises, but no serious internal injury. " \ ouni; man," he said, " vou may be thankful that you got off as well as you did." " I don't know who I am to thank ! " growled Ste4)hen. "Well, some people thank the Lord fir favors; but 1 sujiposc a fellow of your caliber thanks himself that he had the skill to fall and break his leg without doing worse. Now if I get you out of this, yoii don't want to go racing around the country like mad." I'oor I\Irs. Ileckman thought that her cup of sorrow was full to overflowing. It was hard that with all their struggle to get ahead, this calamity should come upon them. Added to the anxiety as to the result of the accident was the trouble- some thought of the tloctor's bill and other neces- sary expenses besides, the garden which Jk'th had undertaken to cultivate, and the berries which were put out in the spring, must be neglected — for the care of the invalid was the first duty, and a very trying invalid he proved to be. Altogether Mrs. Ileckman felt that the burden was indeed a very heavy one. When John said —" Oh, mother, don't feel so; some good must come out of it," she responded in the midst of her moaning — "If I could sec any possible good to come of it ns oi uit ity :ty :cs- 2th :ncr >() in y. it -y^pr JOHN s !ma:ut it scorned as though \vc had all wo could bear up under before.' Another time she said — "If you had only l)een more careful about making Stephen angry — it has only brought trouble upon us all, and laid an additional burden upon your own shoul- ders, and no possible good has been accomplished by your talking to him." " I am not sure of that. Maybe Stephen will come to see things differently." " I have no hope of that. You have not heard him talk ; he is more bitter and rebellious than ever, and more set against you and Beth. Poor iieth is quite worn out trying to i)lease him." " But you know he is suffering now, and hardly knows what he is saying; let us be hopeful." "I am glad you can be hopeful, I cannot; it is just a dark cloud without any bright lining." As the suffering became less intense, Stephen began asking for something to read. He wanted a book from his room. ••J don't suppose it will hurt you to bring it to me ; if you are afraid of contamination, you might take a pair of tongs." ••Why, is it greasy and dog-eared.-*" asked Beth, with a cheery smile. •• No, it is new ; but I suppose you and John are too fine and high-toned to road dime novels." '•Oh, that is it! Well, suppose we wail until II 114 JOHN S MAKAH. the doctor comes ; and if he says so, I will bring it without the tongs." But the doctor peremptorily forbade any read- ing by the invalid; Beth might read to him bits from the daily paper that he would bring up the next day. But soon there came a morning when he said — " Now if you behave yourself first-rate to-day and sleep well to-night, I will bring you a book to-morrow, and you may read an hour a day." That same morning John had an errand which took him in the direction of the doctor's route, and he accepted an invitation to ride. As they rode past the Heckman fields, the doctor asked — " Who did the ploughing and sowing here this year.?" "I did the most of it," replied John. "I was not used to it, and I suppose things do not look as promising as they ought." The doctor did not seem to notice John's apologetic tone, and responded with a gruff, — •'Humph! Can't Stephen plow.?" " Yes ; but Stephen hasn't much taste for farming." ••And have you a taste for it.?" The question was accompanied by a sharp look at the boy, who was now in turn apologizing for his brother. "No, 1 don't think I have a real taste for it; but I make llie best of il, seeing 1 have to do it," JOHN S MARAH. I 1 s "Then you did not choose farming as an occupation ? " "Yes; I chose it." " May I ask why you choose it if you have not a taste for it ?" "Because it seemed to be my duty." John's tone implied that the one word "duty" settled it. "Yours any more than Stephen's.-'" "I cannot judge of Stephen's duty; I am only sure of my own." "Are both of you needed on the farm.^*" It may have occurred to John that Dr. Watson was asking a great many questions ; but he did not by word or look express any wonder, and replied to this last one — " We could both be kept busy ; but Stephen hates it so that he docs not accomplish much." "Shirks, eh.?" "Oh, no, sir; I don't mean to say that." "But it amounts to that." "Not just that. Some way Steve can't get hold of the right end of things. He has plenty of energy, but when it comes to farm work, he docs not seem to have any grip." The doctor laughed at this explanation, and presently he said, watching as he spoke, the expression of the boy's face — "I have been tliiiiking that perhaps when Stephen gets well, one of you might be spared li Ml Ii6 JOHN S MARAH. to come into my office and study. How would you like that? " "Oh, sir, I should like it! You are very kind to think of it, but I do not think I could be spared from home. But if you would give Ste- phen the chance ! " "Do you think Stephen would like to study medicine .-' " "Yes, sir; I think he would. I don't know as he has ever thought of it, but I have often thought he ought to be a doctor. He knows a great deal about things to do when any of our animals are sick, and I have noticed things that make me think he has a taste for surgery." "Humph! Maybe he would make a good horse-doctor." And again the doctor laughed, adding, after a pause — "Well, I want you to think about my proposition and let me know when you decide. I give you the first chance. I have been thinking for some time about taking a young fellow into my office. I am not at all sure that I should want that brother of yours, any way. A fellow who can't get a grip on things will never do much in a doctor's office." "Oh, doctor! Stephen can get a good strong grip on books." John hastened to disabuse the doctor's mind of any unfavorable impression which his words might have given him. " Maybe. Jiut a boy who can take hold of a JOHN S MARAH. 1 I 'ong thing whether he Hkes it or not will succeed any- where, and perhaps if Stephen were left alone again he would see the point and take up farming with more energy." " I don't believe anything would ever make Stephen interested in the farm," declared John. "Not even a sense of *duty'.^" The doctor's eyes twinkled as he stopped to let his companion down from the carriage, though the boy could not see anything funny in the conversation. Dr. Watson's questions and suggestions awak- ened the old ambition and the question that he thought he had settled away back in the dear church at the old home, and again in the silence of the long winter nights it came up and insisted upon a hearing. He supposed he had strangled and buried beyond thought of resurrection his hopes and plans for study and a professional life, and here they were again asserting themselves. True, he had never thought of the medical pro- fession, but, as Dr. Watson said, a man m.ight make a good physician though he had no special drawing that way. A taste for the science of medicine might develop with study, and here was this opportunity thrust right in his pathway. Might he not have been mistaken as to the method by which he could best helj) the family out of their difficulties .-* Could he not do better work by and by if he were to leave home now and ill ' Ii8 JOHN S MARAH. let things run on as they might until he could establish himself in a business or profession that would pay better? Why should all his ambitions and hopes be crushed out by this heavy burden ? Joe and Stephen had each in turn tried to carry it and had failed. Could it be carried by a boy ? The long, hot July days slipped away, and the middle of August had come. John had managed the haying and harvesting with the aid of Colonel Parsons* man, and was now ready for a new enter- prise. At breakfast one morning he said — "I must begin plowing for wheat to-day. If you need help in lifting Stephen, you will find me in the hill-lot." The evening before, he had met Dr. Watson, who called out — "I hope you have not forgotten my proposition. I shall be up your way in a day or two, and shall ask for your decision," The doctor said to himself as he passed on — "I know to a certainty what he will say. I haven't been watching those young fellows for nothing all sum- mer. There is good stuff in both of them, though Stephen is badly warped, and to my way of thinking, John is a little twisted. A fellow that will stand and fight his own interests has no business in this world." In all these weeks John had not been able to still the questioning. He could not put the sub- ject entirely aside ; it would come up. Mechan- ■ JOHN S MA K Ail. 119 ically he harnessed the horses and hitched them to the plough, all the while absorbed in the bit- terness of his own thoughts. Was it simply the power of the association of ideas that, as he put his hand to the plough, with a chirrup to his team, there flashed through his mind the words of his Master — "No man, having put his hand to the plough, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God " ? And as quickly came the response in John's inmost soul — "I will not look back; I have put my hand to the plough." Yet, all the morning, as he went round and round the field, he thought of the bitterness of the life he had chosen. Once he stopped at the spring at the lower end of the field for a drink, and there came to him a scene which he had sometimes pictured in his mind, and he said aloud — "And they could not drink of the waters of Marah, for they were bitter." And as quickly he recalled the context — "And he cried unto the Lord and the waters were made sweet." As he resumed his work, he said — "I don't know where the tree is that is going to make this Marah sweet, but I suppose it will be shown mc in good time." f ••■««»'' ,i I20 PLAIN SPEAKING. r CHAPTER XI. PLAIN SPEAKING. " He that harkeneth unto counsel is wise." MEANTIME, Stephen had been slowly con- valescing. The book which Dr. Watson had brought out according to his promise was a work on physiology, an advanced text-book. "There is a chapter in that on surgery, and I think it will answer some questions you were ask- ing the other day. When a fellow has a broken leg, he naturally wants to know something about broken legs, eh ? " The limb was now doing so well that daily visits were no longer necessary, and it was two or three days before the doctor came again. "Well, have you read that chapter I spoke of.?" "Read it! I know the whole book by heart." "You do! Young nui.i, you did not obey orders." PLAIN SPEAKINd. 121 "Can't help it — 1 couldn't let it alone, and I don't think it hurt me a bit, only " — "Only what?" *' Nothing, only it makes me feel like cursing my fate." " Your fate ! What do you mean by that expression ? " The doctor stood over by the window, and he now turned and came and sat down by the bed. "See here, young man. I am your physician, but I am your friend as well, and I want you to tell me what is the matter. First, though, let me tell you how much I know. I remember that four or five years ago I used to hear my son speak of a young fellow at school called Steve Heckman. He always spoke of him as the best Latin scholar and the best debater. And then I remember that at the school exhibitions this same boy used to make a very creditable appearance. Lately I have neither seen nor heard much of him, and the little I have seen and heard is not very gratifying. Now what is the matter.?" Stephen fairly growled out his reply — " Matter ? The matter is that Fate has been too much for me." "There it is again! That expression 'fate.' Just what do you mean by it .'* " " I mean just what j)eople always mean by it. In my case it means tied, hand and loot — t N mf- V f 122 PLAIN SI'EAKING. bound by a chain to this farm life, which F hate." "Humph! Do you thiniv you have made a successful farmer?'" "No; I do not suppose I have. You couldn't expect a fellow to make a success of a thing he hates, could you .-' " "Well, I don't know. There is a story of a fellow who was faithful over a few things, and who, in consequence, became ruler over many things, and, if I remember rightly, we are not told that he had a taste for doing the few things ; that does not seem to have entered into the ques- tion at all. It was just being faithful, whether he liked it or not ; see ? Now, so far as I can learn, you have not made yourself of any great account here. So far as your work on the farm goes, you would not be greatly missed ; and yet you grumbli.' because you are not promoted and made ruler ovci a great kingdom." Stephen was growing vexed, and made no reply. The doctor slowly measured out the pow- ders, and folded the squares of paper with great precision. Presently he said — " I suppose John could manage very well with- out you." "He thinks he can," was the bitter response. "Then, if you cannot put your strength and interest into farming, why not let John go on PLAIN SPEAKING. 12 alon<;, and you try something else as soon as you are well enough ? " Now, indeed, Stephen was angry. Great red waves rolled over his face until the veins stood out upon his forehead. When he could speak, he said, with excitement — "Doctor, I intend to go as soon as I can walk. They need not have com- missioned you to tell me that I am in the way. John told me as much the day I was hurt." " Nonsense, boy ! Do you think 1 would undertake any such commission ? When I med- dle, I do it on my own hook." "Well, I shall go without anybody's meddling if they will only wait patiently." "Where are you going.-*" The question was asked quietly, and as if a matter of course. "I don't know, neither do I care. I presume I shall bring up at the City of Destruction some time. It might as well be first as last." "Stephen !"^ — and Dr. Watson laid his hand soothingly upon the boy's throbbing brow — "you are talking absurdly. Now let me state the case. In the first place, believe me that I want to be your friend. You have come to a place where you need a friend, and if you will let me, I think I can help you. It would seem that, as the old- est of the family, you might be expected to make the sacrifice " — 124 PLAIN SPEAKING. ^- J. . "I'd like to ask if I haven't sacrificed my life here!" interrupted Stephen. The doctor smiled. "I'hcre are two or three things to make one laugh over that remark. In the first place, it is only a little piece of your life that you have given here ; and again, it does not appear that you have made a very successful thing of your sacrifice. If you had shown a little more backbone, and stood up under the trial, and borne it like a man, instead of giving up and mak- ing a fizzle of everything, I should have more hope of you. I have always held to the opinion that it is only when a man settles down to doing his best in any sphere, however distasteful the work may be, that he gets promoted. There was, you remember, another fellow in the story who did not like the responsibility put upon him, and shirked, and there is no intimation that he ever had a chance to try over again. I am not a Chris- tian myself, but the book that Christians make so much of has in it a great many sound truths, and this is one of them — that the man who is faith- ful gets his reward, and the other fellow gets his." " See here, you said I talked absurdly when I said I expected to bring up at Destruction. Seems to me you are putting it that way pretty strong. You are making out that there is no other chance for a fellow." Stephen said this with bitterness. PLAIN SPEAKING. 125 ** I am not. I want you to see that it is not what you call Fate that has spoiled things for you, but simply your own folly that has brought you where you are. Then I want you to realize that it is not too late to mend. You may have another chance to show yourself a man. It is nonsense for a boy of twenty to talk about its being too late. You have, as I look at it, lost one chance " — "Yes; no need to tell me that! I lost every- thing three years ago, and what's the use of talk- ing about it ? " " Boy, the chance you lost, or threw away, was the opportunity to show yourself a man by taking hold of things here at home. That chance has gone by. John, in case he concludes to stay here, as no doubt he will, will not fail. He does not like farming any better than you do, but I tel' yo -, my boy, John has something that you have not. He has what he calls faith. It may J.' a delusion — I rather think it is — but it S'irvos a good ])urpose f^r -M, and he will be a success. Now, you need not be vexed at me or :it anybody else, but just get well as soon as jjossible, ^\''<} if you can make up your mind to be helped, perhaps w can arrange things so that you need not i"oke i\\ express train for that city you soTf^n d/tc-rmined to head for. I have brought ar.other boo';. Read as mucli as you like, onlv b«> carLH' not to overtire yourself." ;•'! r:: 126 PLAIN- SPF.AKING. 11 The boy (lid not offer to toueh the book whieh was laid upon the bed within his reach : but as the door closed upon the plain-spoken man he turned his head upon his pillow and exclaimed, angrily — "The old meddler! I would just thank him to mind his own business ! WHio wants his advice or his help? I can manage for myself." Just here he was reminded of Dr. Watson's remark — *' You have not made a success of it," and he said aloud — "Well, I haven't, that is a fact ! I've been a fool and I know it. But that does not help matters. I wonder if it is true, as Dr. Watson said, that John does not like farming." The next time the doctor came, he asked — "How did you like that book.''" " First-rate ! lUit there are or.j or two thinj,;: I want to ask you about." Stej^hen did not see the sudden gleam in I'.io eyes of his visitor, nor did he know that he was thinking — "Ah, life isn't all done for with this young man yet .'' " Then as the young man asked for an cxj)la- nation of the jwints that puzzled him, the doctor said "Oh, I see your difficulty; you ougl.t to study anatomy; I'll send you a book that vv'li clear it all up for you." It became a curious puzde to IJeth, what the invalid could find intereslir.g "n those dry-looking PLAIN' ST'EAKING. T27 books th[it Dr. Watson was constantly InMngiii*;- or sending to him during those tedious weeks of confinement. lie had never repeated his request regarding the book in his own room, but aston- ished them all by asking to have his old Latin books looked up and brought to him, and he took to poring over them with great eagerness. At length the patient had so far recovered that there was no further need of the physician's attendance, even occasionally. As he was leav- ing that last morning, he said — "Stephen, do you think you have backbone enough to turn forever away from liquor, tobacco and cards, and the set at Hovvland's .-' " Stephen's cheeks flushed, and he replietl a little gruffly — "Seems to me you have a pretty poor opinion of my backbone ; every time you come you have something to s«y about it, insinuating that it is weak." •'Well, I wish you would find out and let me know. I have had a talk with John, and he says he means to stick to the farm. Now 1 know of a pretty fair sort of a chance for you ; but, Stephen, 1 tell you frankly that you cannot carry any of these old habits into the new life to which I pro- pose to introduce you. I :.m in a hurry this morning," glancing at his watch; "I am to meet Dr. Grannis at ten, over on the east side, for a t'onsultation. Jl 1 am not detained too long, I I 128 PLAIN SPEAKINCJ. will drive back this way and finish the talk. Meantime you can examine that moral spinal column of yours and find out how stiff it is.*' He closed the door behind him, and the con- valescent watched him from the window, think- "^'2, as he noted the firm step — "Yours is stiff c i'')Ugh, any way; anybody can see that." A few moments later, Beth was busy about the room, and Stephen, still watching the doctor's carriage as it followed a winding road to the east side, said — " Beth, do you know I would be willing to work like a galley-slave, even on a farm, if I could see a chance of getting through a course of study in medicine } But there is no use in thinking about it. That doctor has got a scheme in his head. I suppose he wants me to stand behind a counter and measure off yards of silk and lace. He probably thinks I will jump at the chance." He tossed aside the magazine which Dr. Watson had handed to him as he went out, and turned wearily away from the sunshine which streamed in at the window and from the light that danced in Bcth's eyes. John had told his sister of the proposition made to him and of his determination to stick by the farm, and had added — "Now if he would only give Steve the place. I thought at first that he would, but he did not PLAIN SPEAKING. I2Q say a word about it when I told him I should stay here, and I do not think he means to. You see he is not the kind of a man to give a boy a place just for the boy's sake, and he thinks Stephen is not quite steady." Beth, thinking of the books which had been so constantly furnished for the invalid during these weeks, and divining something of the great warm heart that was hidden under the somewhat rough manner of the old doctor, thought differently, and as she listened to Stephen's hopeless remarks and remembered John's lack of faith in the doctor's intentions to favor the elder brother, she said to herself — "I shouldn't wonder if both boys were some- what aslonibhcd." : . I i3 I 130 A iMiW DECLAiiATION OF INDEPENDENCE. CHAPTER XII. A NKW DKCLAKATION OF INDEPKNDENCE. " When the enemy shall come in like a flood, the Spirit of the Lord shall lift up a standard against him." TO go back to that evening of Beth's tea- party, and the group sitting on the Heck- nian door-step in the June twilight. '• Isn't it nice to meet together once in a while like this.?" It was Mamc Howard who thus expressed her- self, and Lizzie Davis who responded — "Yes, indeed. And we must try to get even with Beth. We cannot afford to let Beth plan all the nice things." "Cheaper, as far as our brains are concerned," put in Bob. "I say, let's get up a West Hill Fourth of July celebration!" Mame was thinking of Jack Swan's scheme for getting up a party of boys to go to the city to A NEW DIXLARATION OF INDFrnNDKXCE, Uf spend the Fourth, and as she spoke there sjjruin; up in her hei.rt a sudden hope that if they could do something pleasant at home, her brother Clar- ence might possibly be persuaded to stay, but this thought she kept hidden. "That's an idea!" chimed in a voice. "How did you happen to think of it .-* " There was talk, eager and fast, after that. All sorts of schemes, practicable and impracticable, were proposed. One wanted a band of music and a procession with flags and banners, and fire- works in the evening. It was even suggested that a cannon might be borrowed for the occasion, so that for once West Hill should boom. After all the wild i)rojects had been discussed, it was decided that there should be a dinner in the grove, preceded by the reading of the Declaration of Independence, speeches, and some songs if possible; any way — "The Star- Spangled Ban- ner" and "America." "We ought to have a flag," declared Lizzie Davis. " Why couldn't we .^ We girls could make it if we could only get the bunting, and I don't believe it would be so very difficult to raise the money." " Let's try it. Two of us can take the valley end of the district, and two others the hill, and see what can be done by way of raising money." This plan was carried out, and, after many and If" -^ :ti 132 A NEW DECLARATION OF INTH.PENDENCE. varied experiences, the committee reported funds sufficient to procure a large, handsome flag, which still, upon all public occasions, floats in the breeze on West Hill. Just a day or two befo.o Stephen's accident, Beth received a note from Lizzie, in which she said — "Don't you think the Declaration is awful long and prosy? Nobody will listen to it. Can't we rut out part of it, or have somebody tell the story in a way to interest the children .-* It will take a better reader than we have amongst us to hold the attention through all that long rigmarole. I mean no disrespect to the ancient and honored document. Now, Beth, dear, set your brain at work upon this puzzle — How shall we make this part of our programme interesting .-' " And Beth, studying the question, and watching two young men of the vicinity passing with uncer- tain steps and loud voices, exclaimed — "What we need most is a new Declaration of Independence." There was plenty of time to think it out in the long nights of watching that followed so quickly, and Lizzie and the rest of the committee were more than pleased with the result. "It will be all that I can do for the celebration," said Beth. "Of course, I shall not be there, but I want my name to go down as one of the signers." A N'F.W DECLARATION' OF IXDF.PKNDENCE. 1 33 The ]^\)urth was a brij^ht day — sunny but not uncomfortably warm. At the grove everything was ready, and a large company gathered. It was such a novel idea to have anything going on in the neighborhood thr.t everybody turned out to see what it might amount to. The flag waved triumphantly ; the songs were rendered, if not with artistic perfection, at least witii spirit ; the speeches were enthusiastic and patriotic. The reading of the Declaration was relegated to the last place on the programme. Mr, Ames, who had been asked to read it, arose, saying — " I observe that this is a written copy. No explanation has been given me, but I suppose that the idea is to make it seem more like the original, more real. I have been too much occupied to look it over, but presume that with such fair chirography as this appears to be I shall have no troubla" Then, clearing his throat as if for a great effort, lie began — •' When, in the course of human events, it becomes necessary, or is deemed expedient for a people or class to take a new deparuire, to break away from bands that have hindered their j^rog- ress, to assume new obligations and duties, anc' to take advanced positions upon any question, i': becomes proper that they should state their reasons for the action. "We hold it to be self-evident that we all have ii' n\ 1 1 134 -^ ^'^•■^'^* nTXI.ARATIOX OF IXDEPEKnENCE. certain inalienable rights. Among these are life, including the right to the highest development of all its powers, liberty and the pursuit of happi- ness. We claim that the laws and customs of any land, or indeed of any neighborhood, should guarantee peace and quiet to homes, the safety of lives and health, the right to the pursuit of wealth in lines that shall not interfere with the property of one's neighbors. We hold that the law of God is sui)reme and that we have a right to j^rotest when our rights are trampled upon — when the peace and prosperity of the community is threatened. "The aggressive nature of the kingdom of the tyrant, King Alcohol, is well known, and the history of his reign upon earth is the history of repeated injuries and usurpations, all having as a direct object the establishment of an absolute despotism over the human race. "To })rove this let a few facts be submitted — " He enters he-mes, and winds about the dear- est and best the chains of habit until they are his slaves, bound hand and foot, with no choice but to do his biddiiig. " lie enters society, and threads the meshes of hi,s web so adroitly in and out that countless th(ni- sands are entangled before they dream of danger. " He enters churches with wily tread, and in the guise of conservatism and discretion dulls the A NEW DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE, n t^ car of the p'jws and palsies the tongue of the pulpit. •' He enters the halls of legislation and enslaves those who should enact righteous laws. " He forces his way into courts of justice, and unnerves those that wcidd render just decisions. " He has boldly invaded the quiet retreat of West Hill, and quartered upon us a recruiting office, extorting from us a heavy tribute and enlisting in his army those who should be enlisted on the side of truth and sobriety. "He has thus destroyed the peace and quiet of the neighborhood, infringing upon those rights which we have declared to be inalienable. " He has compelled our friends and neighbors, taken captive in this high-handed manner, to bear arms against their own homes. "He has incited domestic disturbances, and endangered the comfort and prosperity of the community. "We have endured in patien '-, waiting for the politicians and law-makers to luivC up the matter ; we have heard much of the magnanimity of the emissaries of King Alcohol ; but we have not experienced the kindness at their hands which we might have looked for in accordance with their professions ; all have alike been deaf to the voice of justice and mercy. "We, therefore, ai)pealing to the righteous ff: ]i^ i|i m ! I 136 A N?:\V DFXLARATIO.V OF INDEPEXDEXCE. Judge of all for help and protection, . solemnly declare that we, the people of West Hill in gen- eral conference assembled, do in our own name and authority solemnly publish and declare that we are, and of right ought to be, free and inde- pendent, absolved from all allegiance to the tyrant Alcohol. That we hereby pledge ourselves to total abstinence from all intoxicating drinks, in- cluding wine, beer and cider, and that we further- more pledge ourseH'es to stand firm in our opposi- tion to the liquor 'raflfic, and to refn so far as it lies in ( ur power, from all complicity with, or patronage of, the saloon. " Under the name of the Temperance League of West Hill we thus mutually pledge ourselves in this new Declaration of Independence." Mr. Ames began reading this remarkable doc- ument with the air of one perfectly familiar with the ground he is treading ; but as he proceeded his tone becani'j less confident, and the expression of his face betokened perplexity ; he did not seem to be quite certain whether or not a joke had been played upon him., while many of the listeners seemed to share his perplexity. However, he presently seemed to take in the idea, while his face cleared and he read on triumphantly to the end. Mr. Davis, who had been chosen chairman of the day, then arose. He said — A NEW nECLARATrON' OF iNOFPEN'nENCE. I^f " I am informed that, as chairman of the meet- ing, it is my duty to place this matt'-r, which has been so clearly presented, before you fi»r your sanc- tion or your rejection. What will be your pleasure with regard to this declaration and pledge ? " Some one moved, and another seconded, its adoption as a whole. It may be that it was regarded in the minds of many present as a huge joke ; yet there were those whose emphatic "Ay" was earnest and sincere, with a full understand- ing of the j)urp()rt of the whole matter. When the "No's" were called for, there seemed to be one only who wished to declare allegiance to King Alcohol, and the effect of the solitary "No" was almost ludicrous. The list of signatures was long. As usual, some who were expected to sign would not, and others surprised everybody, themselves included, by putting down their names. The company broke up early ; for in a farming community this must always be the case. As they separated, shaking hands while the long, slanting rays of the setting sun made a mellow light about them, it was the unanimous verdict that the affair had been a success ; and the thought seemed to be dawning upon those farm- ers that West Hill was waking up. "Dean," said Mr. Wilson, coming in with a pail of foaming milk, "we must get out the 13^ A NEW DECLARATION OF INDEPENnENCE. m ts- I mower in the morning ; and if you go up to the Corners to-night, you may as well take the oil-can and get it filled." Dean Wilson looked up with a curious expres- sion on his rather handsome face, and asked what seemed for the moment to be an irrelevant question — "Father, did you sign that declaration to-day?" "Why, yes, of course I did! Haven't 1 always been a temperance man ? And I was glad to see your name there, my boy." "T guess T may as well hitch up old Doll and drive down to Crapo's for the oil," said Dean. "Why, what in the world" — began Mr. Wil- son ; then, as if a new thought had come to him, he stopped, and finished rinsing his milk-pail in silence. And Dean drove to Crajjo's for machine oil — a distance of four miles. As he was start- ing his father said — "You may as well ask your mother for a list of needed household supplies ; it may not be convenient to go in again this week." Dean whistled softly as he drove off, think- ing— "Those girls have rather stolen a march on some of these old tenijierance men." And l^eth, sitting on the door-step, listening to John's account of the events of the day, said, suddenly — "John, it may lie a slow-match; but I think our Hell Gate has been touched off to-day." THE TALRlNfO MULTITUDfi. i39 CHAPTER XIII. THE TAr.KrN<-r >rULTrTUDE. "Who is this th;\t darkeneth counsel by words without knowltdgc ? "' THAT John Heckman seems to be of differ- ent stuff from the others," said one neigh- bor to another. "Well, I don't know; if you remember, Joe did pretty well for a year or two after the father died ; then he grew reckless, and things began to run down, and he kept getting more and more unsteady ; all that time Steve was in school, and my Bob says he was the best scholar amongst them all at the Union School. I really thought he would be the man of the family ; but after Joe went off Steve began to grow unsteady and go down hill. I have watched thom, and they all seem to get about so far on the right road, and then turn about and go the other way. I have no confidence in them." til (40 THK TALKIXf, MULTITUDE. " I know they all ajjpcar well when they are yoiinj^cr; still, i c-annot help thinking that per ha})s this one will turn out better. There is a different look about him ; vou see it in his step and in the expression of his .ce. " "I am sure I hope so; but, as I said, I have no faith in a 1 leeknian." '•Still, the blood is good. The father was a good man and a straightforward one." "Yes; but there seems to be a slaek-twisted thread somewhere in warp or woof. Now that Heth is a niee, ladylike girl, and my Lizzie is always (juoting her, and J sometimes think Hob fancies her; but 1 tell them to wait and see how they come out." Mow trill)' might John lleckman have said — "All my l";iniili;'is watchetl for my halting," and 3'ct the neighbors meant to be just and kind. All through Stephen's long confinement they had seemed to vie with each other in neigh- l)orly lielpfulness ; and though the accident had occurred at the beginning of the busy season, those hurried farmers found time for tlie neigh- borly call, and strength foi an occasional night of watching to relieve the overburdened family. \\\\[ loo many of them, like Mr. Davis, had lost laith in the Ileckmans, and had come to think that the (pialities out of which good citizens are made had dieil out of the hnnily. It they could TITE TALKING ATlTI,TITlTnF.. 14 T have heard all the planning of those two young- things as to how to better affairs both at home and in thn neighborhood, doubts as to the soundness of their own conclusions might have troubled them. It is possible, too, that their eyes might have been opened to see the necessity for reform. There were some who saw the need. "Things have gone a great deal to the bad here on West Hill." Mr. Wilson leaned over the line fence and whittled, while Mr. Scott was husking in his own field upon the other side of the fence. "I remember," continued Mr. Wilson, "when things were different." " Yes, so do I ! Iwen ten years ago things were not as they are now. Sometimes 1 think that when Heckman died our luck died with him. One thing is certain, we have been running down hill ever since." "That is so. 1 shouldn't wonder if we owed more to his prayers than we realized. When he died we had no praying man left amongst us." "Fact!" And Mr. Scott pulled the rustling husks from the long, yellow ears more slowly, as he said, thoughtfully — "And T don't believe that saloon would be run ning if he were alive; and it is ruining all our young men. Pity that we haven't s\)\v\X enough here on the Hill to shut up the place." 142 THE TALKING MULTITUDE. " The Temperance League arc doing their best ; but the odds are against them. Some v/ho joined rather went back on the thing when they found it meant business ; but I know of several who have given up going to Rowland's. " " I haven't heard anything about that society lately, and I supposed it had died out." " No, not by a long sight ! You'll hear from them before spring." "They will find it hard work to bring about anything better. Some way the Howlands have got a strong hold ; and it is a pretty good place to trade." "Have you hired a teacher for the winter.-*" asked Mr. Wilson, suddenly changing the subject. "No; and that is another thing that has run down. Don't you remember what a good school we used to have, with spelling-schools and debates in the evenings ?" " I remember ; but there was no other place to go then, and now the boys and young men — and old men, too, for that matter — sit around and drink beer and play cards." "Yes, I know. Have you heard anything of this scheme of John Heckman's to get up a reading circle ? At first I thought it was all non- sense, and told him so — just another plan to get together for a frolic ; but I don't know — maybe it would help a little. Perhaps it would be best THE TALKING MULTFTUDE. 143 to give them an encouraging word and let them have the school-house, too." " What is it, anyway ? I heard Dean say some- thing about it ; but, as you say, I thought it was only a cover for more fun, and I didn't pay much attention to it." "Why, John came to me to know if the young folks could have the school-house one evening in the week for a reading circle. He said something about there being a circle that went all around the world, and a lot of little circles hung on — like little rings strung on a big one, I suppose. He had a book that tells all about it ; but I thought it was all nonsense, and didn't pay much attention. I told him that we did not like to let the school-house for all sorts of meetings. He said he supposed not, but that he thought a read- ing circle would not be objectionable, especially as we sometimes had let in traveling shows, and that the purpose of the reading circle was more eleva- ting than the talk of that infidel lecturer we let in three or four weeks ago ; and, to tell the truth, I was ashamed to make any more excuses after that." "Well, if they will promise to behave, I don't see any reason why they should not have the use of the building." " He said we could look in any time, and if we did not like the way they were doing we could turn them out." Ill 'M 144 THE TALKING MULTITUDE. "That's fair." "Yes; and I think I will let him have the key. The boy has a pretty even piece of wheat there." " I have noticed it ; and that piece of spring wheat that he put in was by all odds the best crop there has been on the place for years." "Has Steve left for good .-* " asked Mr. Scott. "Dean says that Dr. Watson has taken him into his office It was reported that he had secured a place as a hostler somewhere in Clay- borne, but I guess it is a fact that he has got a chance to study." "If he will only keep steady — but he won't!" "That Arbor Day business went off pretty well," remarked Mr. Wilson, throwing aside his stick and closing his knife as if he had reached the last topic of interest. "And I notice that all the trees around the school-house are alive and doing finely." " I own up beaten there. It is such a long time since we have had anything but tomfoolery here on the Hill that I was determined to keep them off the school Green ; but they did their work well and behaved decently, too ! " The C. L. S. C. of West Hill was an assured fact. Whether they could have the school-house or not, they were determined not to be thwarted in their undertaking. The membership wj not large, but it was enthusiastic. As to how it sug- HI -■ 5. THE TALKIXff MULTITUDE. H5 gcstcd itself to the minds of the young people, the explanation is simple. One summer, while living with his uncle, John Heckman had spent a few weeks at the headquarters of the C. L. S. C, and had then become interested in the scheme, though his uncle had objected to his undertaking the course, thinking it would interfere with his school work. But his aunt belonged ; and among the books which she had put in John's trunk were one of the hand-books and "The Hall in the Grove." Beth and Lizzie had become interested by reading these, and they had succeeded'in inter- esting Bob, and after getting all the information John could give them they had voted to have a circle. "Even if it should be just a square with four of us, one for each corner!" said Beth, mindful of a certain circle which began as a triangle. "That would certainly be a solution of the old problem of squaring the circle," said John, laughing. And so the "higher education" of the young people on West Hill began. A mile or so down the valley was the Munson farm. Mr. Munson and his family were not exactly West Hill people, living, as they did, just over in the ne.xt school district ; but the young people were very desira- ble as members of the C. L. S. C. Mr. Munson was a good man, a Christian and a prominent man II! 146 THE TALKING MULTITUDE. in the Clayborne church, which John and Beth now attended with more or less regularity. He was a rather stern man, cold and unsympathetic ; and especially he had little sympathy with the plans and schemes of young people. He could not understand why they should "waste their time" in playing games and running about to social gatherings. He was a strong advocate of "home pleasures" and "home amusements" — though after sjicnding a few days in the family one would be puzzled to understand his definition of the terms he was so fond of using, for surely never was home more destitute of the things that contribute to pleasure and amusement. He looked upon the people at West Hill as jl hard set ; indeed, he had been heard to remark that if there were missionary ground anywhere it might be found within five miles from Clayborne; yet, strange to say, he did not seem to feel called upon to "lend a hand" in spreading the gospel amongst these "heathen" at his door. Knowing something of the opinions of his neighbor, it was with some misgivings that Dean Wilson under- took to interview the young Munsons upon the subject of the circle. He was pretty sure of their cordial sympathy; but how to manage so that their father might not spoil everything, by setting his face against the .scheme, and peremptorily forbidding I hem to have THE TALKING MULTITUDE. >4; any part in it was the question that puzzled the young man. It so happened that the conver- sation shaped itself so as to lead up to the very thought in mind. The fact that a new craze had struck Clayborne in the form of a series of sur- prise parties, was conwnented upon ; and Mr. Munson took occasion to speak very strongly against that form of entertainment, and very pointedly remarked that to his mind it was an evidence of the degeneracy of the times, that young people so entirely discarded all forms of sensible and profitable entertainment. If young people were brought up with habits of reading and study well established, they would not care to be "running off to parties, wasting precious time in frivolous conversation and silly games." This seemed to be the opportunity for which Dean waited, and he hastened to rema'-k — "We have been thinking, up our way, that we ought to have something profitable going on, and we have decided to start a reading circle ; antl I came down here to-night to ask Tom and the girls to join. •*Tom and the girls" recognized in this a decid- edly new departure for Dean Wilson, for he was far removed from any suspicion of being literary ; however, they were interested at once, and asked eagerly about the plan, while Mr. Munson seemed not quite pleased at being caught up in that fash- 148 THE TALKING MULTITUDE. ion, and he said, in a puzzled way — "Eh, what ? " Dean tried to explain the object and scope of the circle; but Mr. Munson was inclined to criticise. "I don't see any call for — well, for my folks, for instance, going off a mile or two from home to read, when they can just as well sit down here and read together, and save the time spent run- ning back and forth." "Mr. Munson" — and there was a twinkle in Dean's eyes as he spoke — "you go to prayer- meeting at Clayborne, do you not .-* " " Certainly ! I have not missed a mid-week meeting in ten years; I am always there." "I hope you will excuse me if I ask why the same reasoning will not apply in regard to the prayer-meeting ; folks can pray and read their Bibles at home ; why waste time going back and forth.-*" He said afterward — "I knew it was not exactly a parallel case, but I thought I would ven- ture it." His host was very patient with his ignorance and with what seemed to the older man like levity. "My friend, it is a very different thing. We are commanded to assemble ourselves together, and, besides, there is great profit in united prayer." "Thank you for that word 'profit.' There is I .'S THE TALKINCr MULTITUDE. 149 where the cases are alike ; we think that there is profit in united study. You see we get together and talk over our readings, and so have the bene- fit of each other's thought on the subject." " It all sounds very well, but I see through it as plain as day. You young folks on the Hill arc after fun more than reading ; all the reading you will do won't count for much." ** But, sir, there is a regular course laid out — so much for every week, and we are pledged to keep up." "I don't know how you folks up your way ex- pect to find time to read regularly so much a day. There's those Heckmans ; by the looks of things there, they need to do something besides reading. That was one of the best farms in the county, and look at it now ! All run down, and the boys growing up shiftless, and worthless, too ! I have no patience with that way of bringing up boys. Now there's this new-comer, John ; he brought a letter and united with the church ; but he does not go to church more than half the time, and he never goes to the prayer-meeting, and his mother hasn't been inside of the church more than half a dozen times since her husband died, and such a good meeting-man as he was, too ! " " Have you ever thought what might be the reason that they do not go to church i* " 150 THE TALKING MULTITUDE. ii! "Generally, folks don't go because they don't want to — that is my cheery." " I can see a dozen reasons why the Heckmans do not go. John is a nice fellow, and things are going on better up there. I guess you haven't been up that way, lately. You would see a change." "Well, I believe that folks don't prosper any more for neglecting their church duties, and I should like to see John Heckman and his mother in the prayer-meeting before I countenance any reading circles of their getting-up. Now if you were thinking of starting a weekly prayer-meeting at the Corners, I should most heartily approve." "But, Mr. Munson, who would pray .-* You for- get that the people up that way are not of the praying sort." "Father!" — it was Tom who suddenly spoke, as if he had resolved to cut off any further objec- tions : "you are always talking about^ th- nroplo of that neighborhood being ratho? ' *rd lot ; now it seems to me that if they ai ,oing to tr to do something elevating, we Chribuans < aght to turn in and help them." As Tom was not a Chris- tian, but quite inclined to scoff at religion, his remark matched the sarcastic tone in which it was uttered. He continued — "I am going to join that C. D. E. F., or whatever it is, and I shall miss 111) calculations if 1 do not take Lou and THE TALKING MULTITUDE. 151 Jennie along. So, Dean, you may put us down as members in good and regular standing." There were occasions when a certain ring in Tom's voice warned his father that opposition was worse than useless, and this was one of them. Going into his room after his round of fasten- ing the doors for the night, Mr. Munson «aid, in a tone that betokened real anxiety — "I am sorry Tom took that stand. I don't like our children being mixed up with affairs in that neighbor- hood." Then, as if lie was nerving himself up to an unpleasant duty — "I believe I ought to go and talk with Sister Heckman and John. They are the only professing Christians in that neigh- borhood, and they ought to set an example of godly living." Ill 'i ( i r 152 SHOUL'iEKS, OR CONSCIENCE? CHAPTER XIV. SHOULDERS, OR CONSCIENCE? " These be thy gods, ( ) Israel ! " ONE S:iturday John went to Clayborne to mill. It so happened that Stephen had chosen this time for a visit at home ; and, coming around by a longer way in order to do an errand for Dr. Watson, he missed John. He had the grace to express his regret, sincerely, I think, on this account. During the morning, directly after Stephen's arrival. Colonel Parsons came in to have a talk with John and his mother about a business propo- sal which he had to make. I'^inding John away, he sat down to talk it over with the rest of the family. "Mrs. Ileckman," he conimenced, ".scattered through your wood-lot across the gulf are a dozen or fifteen oaks, which ;iic getting jxist their |)rime. If they luuKl be cut now, they would be woith a SHOlII.nKRS, OR CONSCIFA'CF. ? 153 small fortune. If you will give me the privilege of taking them out, I will pay a good price and be much obliged besides. I have a heavy contract to fill — that is, I will take the contract if T can get the timber, and oak is scarce about here. In fact, the timber lands in this section are pretty well thinned out, but that twenty-acre lot of yours is very heavily timbered. The smaller lot on this side was somewhat cut over in your hus- band's time and it would be a good plan to go through the other judiciously. If I can make a bargain with you I will go through and cut what ought to be cut, k;aving all the growing trees and leaving the limbs for you, to be cut into fire-wood." The offer which Colonel Parsons proceeded to make for the oaks was so liberal as to almost take away Mrs. Heckman's breath. She had never suspected that she had so much wealth growing upon her farm. The wood-lots were to her and her children valuable only as a source of supply of fuel. That there might be a way out of their pecuniary difficulties by turning some of the timber into money had never occurred to this woman, so unused was she to business calcula- tions. And now that the knowledge had come upor.'' her so suddenly, she was quite over- whelmed. Colonel Parsons .said further — "If you choose and John likes the idea, you can let half the sum apply on the note, ami 1 I' '54 f^HOlTlJ^F.RS, OR rONPCrKNCF? will pay half cash down. That will enable you to put yourselves in better shape," Stephen urged his mother to accept the offer at once, but she said - "I must wait and see what John says." "John! What has he to do with it.? You own the place, and can do as you choose ; and it seems to me that if Beth and I both advise it, and since John is not here, it is quite unneces- sary to wait to consult him, especially as Colonel Parsons wants an answer right away." Beth was quite inclined to urge her mother to close the bargain as Stephen advised, saying — " It will be such a splendid surprise for John when he comes home ! " " And if you wait, John will be sure to pick a flaw in the plan and upset it ; he is so much wiser than the rest of us," muttered Stephen. But Mrs. Heckman reflected that as John was now doing all the work, and had shouldered the responsibility of the farm and the debt and the support of the family, it was only fair that he should be consulted ; and she firmly declined tc give a positive answer to the colonel's proposition. " I should like your decision to-night, if possi- ble, as 1 must close with Wagfall & Company on Monday; ami, if 1 cannot gi't the lumber, I can- not take the contract." Aiul with this the iH)lonel departed. SlIOl LDKRS, OK CONSCIENCE? 155 "What does he want of the trees?" inquired Beth. " I mean, what does he furnish Wagfall & Company ? " "Why, beer-kegs, of course!" replied Stephen. "You see he will get out the logs this winter, and saw them or work them up into staves with his new stave machine; and then he will either kiln-dry them or let them season until next sum- mer, when he will set the coopers at work on the kega. It may be quite a time before he gets his money back ; but he will make a good thing of it in the end, even though he pay a good price for the trees. The colonel knows how to make money." "Yes, he is shrewd," replied the mother; "but he is generous ; he has been very kind to John," "Queer, too; John isn't the sort of a fellow that I should suppose Colonel Parsons would pick out to favor. The colonel isn't much of a saint himself, and I never coukl understand how he gets along with John's notions." Stephen's tone showetl that he still looked upon John as a very eccentric fellow. "Wait until he comes into antagonism with some of the colonel's ideas or plans," said Beth. " Yes ; that is why I was so anxious to have mother close the trade to-day. Yoii'll find there's trouble ahead. John will never consent " "Why, Steve, what mak<'s you think so?" Ill 156 SHOULDKHS, OK rONTSCIENCK ? "He is too niucli of a fanatic. And I was a little surprised at you, my lady sister. Though you are not of the saintly sort, yet you are dread- fully set on the temperance question. But most ])eople make exceptions when there is money at stake," and Stephen laughed a little bitterly. " 1 don't see what the oak trees have to do with temperance," said Beth. "Don't, eh.? Well, I don't, either; it wouldn't trouble my conscience ; but I did not know how far your fanaticism would carry you." "Why, mother, do you think our selling Col- onel Parsons some oak trees has anything to do with the temperance question ? " "I cannot see that it has; we sell the trees standing, and have no further responsibility in the matter. T did not even think what he might be going to do with the lumber." "I tell you what it is," said Stephen, with the air of one whose opinions were weighty, and who intended to bring others to his way of thinlcing if ])()ssible ; "it is all very well to talk about not being mi.xed up with the business, and I think that so far as possible it is well to avoitl what you call 'complicity with evil'; especially those wlio have set themselves up as the advocates of tem- pt.Tance will shun criticism by keejiing out of il, but we must draw the lini' somewhere. Don't vou see tlial lo ki-ep entirely out of it you must shul;li)i:ks, ok coxsciknlI': 157 live a hermit life ? And I am not sure that you can buy a loaf of bread or a pound of meat that is entirely free from the taint of liquor. Carrying one's notions too far makes one ridiculous." The few weeks spent in Dr. Watson's office had greatly changed Stephen Heckman ; he had lost much of the recklessness that had so long characterized his speech and manner; he was not often bitter or sarcastic ; and though he still some- times ridiculed or sneered at John's "notions," he was much more brotherly, and seemed to appre- ciate, in some slight degree, at least, John's self- denial and the benefit which he was reaping from it. He came home as often as he found oppor- tunity; and his mother and sister were growing proud of his improved appearance ; and thus it was that his o{)inions had come to have more weight with lieth, wlio used so often to lose all patience with him. lie stayed to dinner, and was so helpful, antl so interested in home matters, and iu every way so agreeable, that more and more the usually clear-sighted lieth saw things as he saw them. She went down to the gate with him, and watched the carriage until it disappearc-d around the curve; then she went back to her mother, and together they talked over the good fortune which had so suddenly and so unexpect- edly come to them. All the afternoon Heth's head was full o( the subject. She had put aside fl ' ]^H SHOULDERS, OK CONSCIENCE? all thoughts of its having anything to do with temperance principles. She decided that Stephen had just talked as he did to tease her; what had they to do with the disposition of the trees after they had passed into the possession of another ? It was not as though the lumber might not be ])ut to other uses. Of course, they wished that there were no such things as beer-barrels, and they hoped the day might come when there would be no use for them. If it were barley which they were planning to sell to the brewer, or corn to the distiller, it would be different, but people did not drink kegs. John was not quite so notional as Stephen seemed to think. And the price to be paid would be, as the colonel had said, a fortune to them in their circumstances. They could make themselves more comfortable in the house, put some repairs on the barns, and add to their stock and farming tools. It seemed to Beth's excited imagination that they were taking a straight road for the Canaan to which she and John were looking. Very impatiently she waited for her brother's return, and she could scarcely wait for him to care for his horses, so eager was she to tell her news. "Oh, John, such gc^id news! Such a surprise as we have for you ! Mother and I have got over the surprise, and have settled down to the enjoy- ment of our good fortune in anticipation." Then snori.Di'.Ks, or-: ( oNscir'.xci-: T59 she told her story. John listened in silence, and she said, impatiently ^ — "Why don't you say some- thing? Isn't it splendid ?" He replied slowly, as if dreading to disappoint her — "Beth, do you think it would be right to do that?" "Why not? Dear me! It is just as Stephen said ! He wanted mother to close the bargain, because he said you would not consent if you were consulted, and I wanted her to accept the offer, because I wanted to surprise you with the thing all done, for sure." "But, Beth, beer-kegs!" "But what have we to do with that? Suj)|)ose wc sold the whole farm to Colonel Parsons, or anybody else- — we couldn't dictate as to what should be done with those old oaks." John was silent for a few moments ; then he said, thoughtfully — "Beth, that may seem a })uz- zling question ; but I think that, if I knew any part of the property to be transferred was to be used to further in any way the liquor interest, my duty as a Christian would be to refuse to entertain any proposition for its transfer." Turn- ing to his mother, he asked " If you had a vacant store, would you rent it for a saloon ?" "I think not; but this does not seem to me just the same." "The same, only a little more remote." I' ( ! 1 1 I'l m I 60 SHOULDERS, OK CONSCIKNCK ? "That is it! Things get more remote, and Stephen says we must draw the line somewhere," said l^eth. " And he would draw it between beer-barrels and oak trees. Beth, I do not believe that you think it is just the right plaee to draw it." "Well, I did doubt it somewhat at first; but Stephen made it seem all right, and I hoped you would look at it that way ; and the colonel offered such a good price, and it would take such a bur- den off your shoulders!" And the girl sighed sadly over a shattered hope. " But I would rather have the burden on my shoulders than on my conscience." "The money would take us such a long way through the desert or wilderness or whatever it is we are struggling through ; but I suppose we must just struggle on." " It may not be the right thing to do, after all," said the perplexed mother; ^'but it seemed to me to be providential, coming so unexpectedly, alter we have had a hard time, with Stephen's accident and all. I thought perhaps it was the way the Lord was going to help us." John tried to convince his mother that much good had come out of the events of those dark days that she so bemoaned, and assured her that they would do very well. They were very com- fortable ; and though they looked forward to a few SITr)UI,nKRS, OR CONSCIENCK? i6t years of hard work and close economy, yet he felt sure that they would work their way out at last. And he told her how he had resolved that just as far as possible he would have nothing to do with the liquor traffic ; that he would enter into no cov- enant with this enemy of homes and destroyer of souls. And some way, as John talked, Beth was with clearer vision and the mother grew stronger of heart. It was a hard task set for John to announce their decision to Colonel Parsons. He anticipated the colonel's disappointment and displeasure; but he was not prepared for the storm that followed his announcement. The older man called his young neighbor ungrateful, accused him of setting himself up to criticise the actions of his superiors and elders ; he pronounced him an idiot and a lunatic ; and after pouring out his wrath for sev- eral minutes, he ended by declaring that if he saw a Heckman starving he would not give him a crust. He said- — "Young man, the responsibil- ity of the whole country's welfare does not rest upon your shoulders, though you seem to think so. I would like to inquire about what share of the responsibility you think would be yours in case you sold me those oaks, and a few men, more or less, should make fools of themselves and drink too much of Wagfall's beer .^ Your account- ability will not be as great as you seem to think m 162 SHOULDERS, OR CONSCIENCE 7 ? And the sooner you get down from your stilts the better. As it is, I want no more of you ; I might have known how it would be. V did know, all the while, that I was making a fool of myself." Until within the last few months Beth had never read or studied the Bible much ; but, having entered into John's fancy about Egypt and Pha- raoh and Canaan, she began to study up the story of the exodus of the olden time, and was con- stantly finding new grounds for parallels in their own experience. Sometimes John laughed at her fancies, and said the resemblance in their experi- ences was hard to find ; but it all cheered them on their way, and brought the girl's mind into contact with Bible truth, which was, perhaps, the best part of it all. The Sabbath following this particular Saturday, she had been for some time bending over the large family Bible ; afterward she sat for awhile, as was her habit, with her hands folded in her lap, and the far-off look in her eyes. Presently she spoke — " Moses, I made a golden calf yesterday, and all day I worshiped it. And I made a little feast, too ; did you observe that the supper was a little nicer than usual .'' And then you came home and shattered my idol ! I have so often wondered how those old Israelites could fall into idolatry; but it is just as easy! I suppose covetousness is idolatry, and I certainly coveted the money that those trees would bring, SHOULDERS, OR CONSCIENCP: ? 163 and it was pretty hard to see my idol tumbling over and going all in pieces." John came and stood beside Beth, laying his hand upon her shoulder with a caressing touch. "I knew it was a sad disappointment to you, but you will be glad some day. Let me tell you a story ; it is one Uncle John read to us, and I sup- pose what he said about it made me remember it. There was a Mohammedan general, whose name was Mahmoud. He conquered India, and destroyed all the idols he found. Upon one occa- sion he was offered a large sum of money if he would spare one of the large idols. He hesitated only a moment ; then said that he would rather be known as the destroyer than as the seller of idols, and ordered his soldiers to proceed with the work of destruction. The idol was hollow, and filled with treasures of gold and diamonds and other precious stones, so that the general was richer than he would have been had he accepted the bribe. And Uncle John said that when people were true to their convictions, and were willing to put away their idols, God would surely reward them in some jnexpected way. It seems now as though this act of standing by what we think right had cost us dear ; but if we wait a little, we may, like Mahmoud, find that the breaking of the idol was necessary that hidden treaF.ires might be revealed to us." After a silence had 4M^n iil ! i rran.. 1 64 SHOUI DERS, OR CONSCIENCE? fallen between them for a time John said softly — "Beth, cU> you remember what Moses asked the people that day ? " "Do you mean when he said — 'Who is on the Lord's side? ' " " Yes, I mean that ; and do you remember that certain of the peoi>le ranged themselves boldly on his side? Beth, since you are drawing parallels, why not complete it and make the question personal ?" To this question the girl had no answer ready. ^ v,..V^_- DEBT, DOUBT AND DELIVP:i conn- DEBT, DOUBT AND DELIVERANCE. V3 ; dcncc or asked any favors. To many this indebt- edness of a few dollars may seem very trifling and a small thing to cause so much uneasiness, especially when the fact of the Heckmans having a large farm in their possession is taken into con- sideration. But we must remember that the cir- cumstances were peculiar, that the farm had not for a long time been made a source of profit, and that in this emergency ready money, not land, was the need of the hour, and this John saw no way of obtaining upon such short notice. Again, it must be remembered that, although John was wise beyond his years in many respects, yet he was, after all, only a boy with a limited knowledge of the ways of the business world. And it is not to be wondered at that riding home in a Novem- bci rain, he said to himself — "It is of no use. We might as well give up first as last. We have come to a place on the march where the way is completely hedged across, and I see ncf way through or around the difficulty. It was too heavy a burden to undertake to carry, any wav." But presently there stole in upon his mind a memory of an hour in the beautiful church at the old home. The words to which he had listened came back to him with the personal application so softly whispered to his own soul, and there came to him the words which the Lord spake I , Jl 1 74 DKFrr, nouirr and hklivekanck unto him whom He called to lead his people Israel — "Certainly I will be with thee." And he said in his heart — " If I am truly called to a lesser work, even to bear this burden which seems so heavy, surely I may claim the same j^romise." Yet there seemed no possible way out. How could help come? He had studied the difficulty on all sides, and had examined every apparent loop-hole by which he might hope for deliverance, and could see no way out. Afterward, he said — "I just wonder that the Lord did not take me at my own estimate of His promise and let me go." And Beth said — "But he couldn't, you know." "Yes, and I am thankful for that truth." We are apt to be like John ; because we cannot see how God can help us we doubt if there be any way for Him to do it. As if we possessed an infinite knowledge of the resources of an Almighty God ! And if those who have lived double John Heckman's years, and have had the experience of a long series of signal deliverances, sometimes insist upon walking by sight, shall we blame this young man who knew by actual experi- ence little of God's power to deliver ? It was far into the night before a calm settled down upon John's soul ; but at last there came, after hours of struggle with his doubts and fears. DErrr, doubt and deliveranck. ^75 a sweet peace — a trustful, waiting spirit. The way seemed as much hedged up as before. It was as if another Red Sea spread itself out across their chosen route. V/ould God interpose in their behalf ? They waited, not knowing what to do. It was two days after John's visit to Clayborne that Stephen appeared at the farm. It came out that Dr. Watson, in driving over West Hill to visit a patient, had heard some neighborhood gossip about this trouble of the Heckmans. Upon returning to his office he said, abruptly — "Stephen, what is this trouble at home.-'" "I guess nothing very much. Why.-*" " I heard something about it to-day ; and I know John was in to see you one day this week, I met him as he was going out, and I remember that he looked very sober ; but I was so preoccu- pied with those fever cases on my mind, that I forgot to ask you about your family. Now I want to know what it is all about." Stephen saw that he must tell the whole story, which he did, laying more stress upon the bill at the blacksmith's, saying— •* Of course it was for mother that the work was done, but she has prob- ably forgotten all about it." "And the bill at Howland'si*" Stephen's face flushed, and he did not reply until the doctor added — " What about that ? "' Then he said — ijC) DEirr, DOUHT AND ni:LI VEKANCE **Wcll, I — very likely some of it is not for things that mother ought to pay for." "So I thought. Now to-morrow morning — I must drive to Cold Spring this afternoon — but in the morning you are to go out and settle these bills. I will advance the money and John can pay me when convenient. The bill at How- land's must be an itemized bill, and all items for liquor or anything in the way of gambling debts '^uist be struck off. Pay for anything that is legitimate merchandise, and bring back a receipt in full. It may be a hard thing for you to do, but John must not carry all the burdens alone." The doctor gave Stephen some further directions as to how to transact the business, and went his way, leaving Stephen ashamed, yet much relieved ; for he had not been so indifferent as he pretended when talking with John, and the matter troubled him greatly. Indeed, he had contemplated laying the whole story before his friend, the doctor, but had not courage to carry out the thought. He laid Dr. Watson's proposition before John, saying — "And he says you are to take your time for paying him back; and, John, I shall remember it, and some day, when I can earn any money. I shall pay you." "That is all right, old fellow," was the hearty response. DEBT, DOUHT AND DKLIVKKANCE // it, The bill at the blacksmith's was paid as a mat- ter of course, and a receipt in full taken ; and Stephen fancied that the creditor seemed a little disappointed as the money was counted out and tendered him. He made no remarks further than to mutteT an apology for his peremptory demand. ''It was unnecessary to threaten my mother," replied Stephen. '* It was through my careless- ness that the matter was allowed to run so long. Neither mother nor my brother were aware that we owed you anything." At the saloon grocery the case was different. Stephen asked for an itemized bill. Rowland replied — " Steve, you do not want it all down in black and white.-*" "Indeed, I do." "You'll never show it to your mother.^" "Why not.?" "Because you know very well what that means for the most part." "How should I .enow.-* It sounds as if it might mean sugar and flour, or nutmeg and allspice; but my mother wishes to know what she is pay- ing for." At length, seeing that Stephen was determined, Howland turned to his books and said — "See here! Look this over ; and if you insist upon the items being copied, all right." i 1 , i. I Mi' : ! il |i ^A2 %. .% IMAGE EVALUATION TEST TARGET (MT-3) 1.0 I.I iliii m 1.1" IIM M IM 1.8 1.25 1.4 1.6 ^ 6" — ► % *^ <-:%' »>■ > >■? . A / / o 7 /A Photogi^apliic Sciences Coiporation 23 WEST MAIN STREFT WEBSTER, NY MS80 ( 716) 872-4503 IP- i 178 DF.BT, IK)UnT AM) DKLIVKKANCE. Stephen examined the book with the flush on his face deepening ; at last he said — "You cannot expect mother to pay this bill?" "Certainly; why not?" "You will be disappointed, that is all." The saloon-keeper was angry, and threatened, but Stephen was firm ; if his mother owed any- thing for groceries, he would pay it in her name ; but he had no authority to pay for liquor sold to a minor. At the word "minor" Howland looked embar- rassed, and Stephen followed up his advantage, and insisted u}x)n a receipt in full in his mother's name. Howland recovered himself, and threat- ened ; and in his anger said that Colonel Parsons had promised to back him if he would carry it through. "That makes no difference," replied Stephen. "My mother has a stronger friend to back her than Colonel Parsons." "Indeed, I don't know who it can be. The colonel is the richest and most influential man around here." "Humph! Maybe, but the P>iend who does the endorsing for mother and John does not seem to have much to do with affairs in this neighbor- hood ; at least. He is not recognized here." The saloon-keeper wondered at the change in Stephen's lone and manner, but there was no fur- » DEBT, DOUIJT AND DELIVERANCE. 179 thcr explanation ; though, as the young fellow went out from what had become to him a hated place, he said to himself — •« Dr. Watson does not believe much in the Providence that mother and John trust in ; but I would like to know just who managed this affair so that the doctor should find it out and take hold of it." I'..' ' 'i^ t 180 ROYAL BOUNTY. CHAPTER XVI. ROYAL BOUNTY. "Thou hast dealt well with thy servant, O Lord, according unto thy word." MISS HAVERGAL speaks of that "which the Lord hath clone for us and given us, which we never asked at all, never even thought of asking — royal bounty, with which not even a prayer had to do." If John Heckman felt that he had been "marvellously helped" when Dr. Wat- son was sent to turn the tide of trouble that had threatened to roll in upoi. Mm, how did he rejoice in the "royal bounty" which was presently be- stowed upon him, a gift far beyond his hopes or his ambition ! When Stephen returned to Clayborne, after the settlement of the troublesome business that had been the occasion of his last visit to the farm, he was made the bearer of messages of grateful acknowledgment to Dr. Watson, and then John added — wm ROY A I. noiTNTY. I8l " You can assure him that the money he has advanced will be repaid just as soon as I can get a chance to earn it. The doctor is not a rich man, and it may not be convenient for him to wait long. I wish I knew where I could get something to do to bring in a little money." Then, as Stephen was going away, John said to him — "I have been thinking that perhaps I could get some team work. If you keep a lookout, you may hear of something for me." "All right, I will. And, John, I am interested in things here at home, for all my crossness the other day ; and when I get through my studies and earn something, the first thing I do will be to give you a lift. I don't agree with you always ; religion is not in my line. But if it suits you to narrow your ideas down to a few Bible rules, why, that is your business." " Stephen, let me suggest that there is a ful- ness and a wideness in the Bible, which, if you would study it, you would find beyond your , comprehension." "Excuse me, then; I don't want to enter upon any investigations beyond my capacity," replied Stephen, laughing ; and, gathering up *^he reins, he added — "Well, gootl-by, old fellow. Don't let things trouble you." Later in the day the brother and sister were alone, and lieth said — "Those bills turning up I 82 ROYAL BOUNTY. SO unexpectedly make me think of old Pharaoh repenting himself of letting the Israelites go, and starting out after them. I am sure I hope that the very last one of the host is done for. Re- ceipts in full are good sepulchres, as good as the Red Sea to wipe out the old tyrant." " But, Beth, the debt is only transferred ; we must remember that." "Oh, that isn't worth speaking of. Our lives will not be made 'bitter with hard bondage.'" Then, dropping the light tone in which she had been speaking, she added — "But, renlly, do you not think it wonderful that just when we did not know where help could come from, when we were completely discouraged — at least I was, though I tried not to let mother know it — a friend in need should spring up from such an unexpected quarter.**" John's reply was in a meditative tone, more as though he were talking to himself than as a reply to his sister's question — " Our ideas are so nar- row and our poor little life is sometimes hunted into a corner, or else comes plump against a wall, or plunges us into a sea of trouble, and we look upon escape as impossible. Then God steps in and does that which we thought could not be done, and He does it in such a simple way that we are amazeil. What we thought was a great and insurmountable dilTiculty looming up before us ROYAL nOUNTY. i«3 fades away. Wc find out that there was a hole in the wall against which we were pressed, and that beyond it the path is brighter and smoother." John knew in his heart that for himself he had wider views of God's love, and a more profound belief in His power to save; but he did not say it, for he felt that Beth could not understand. Her practical applications of the events in the his- tory of the chosen people were only to their every-day, outward life. Of the deeper spiritual meaning of the remarkable story she had little or no conception. Of the bondage of sin, of Christ as a deliverer, of the rod as a symbol of God's presence and power to save in the hour of the soul's temptation, she never thought. Views of the heavenly Canaan were swallowed up in her anticipations of the time when their home should "blossom as the rose," and West Hill, redeemed from the domination of the saloon, should be a model country neighborhood. When would she open her heart to take in the more important truths ? John questioned often to himself, and ever asked that the symbolized truths of the gos- pel might be revealed to her. To this last remark she responded — "But there's another way to look at it. Do you not think that people who do not believe as you do would say that there was nothing at all remarkable in the doctor's hearing incidentally of i ^■r •- 1 1^4 ROYAL BOUNTY. our perplexity, and, being interested in Stephen, and himself kind-hearted, his offering to help us out?" "Very true, there is such a way of looking at many of the wonderful things that come to us. Do you remember that more than once in the his- tory of the chosen people Ciod used natural forces to deliver them .'* Once it was an east wind ; another time a flock of migratory birds. The miracle was not always in the peculiarity of the means used, but in the fitting in at just the time and place, or in the extent to which the action of the natural force was carried — the holding of the waves, the stay of the flight until the danger of the need was past. It was not the less God's hand that rolled back the waters because He worked by means. Nowadays we call God's inter- positions 'special providences.' Some people pro- fess not to believe in them. Stephen is inclined to ridicule the idea, and Dr. Watson would laugh at the thought that he was the instrument of carrying out anybody's plan but his own." John was getting rather too serious for Beth, and she suddenly broke off the conversation, say- ing it was time to see about supper. For a few days John busied himself with fin- ishing up odd jobs of farm work, putting things in order for the winter, that there might be no hin- drance to his accepting any offer of employment. ROYAI, IU)UNTV. 181; One cvcninf; he was surprised by a visit from Mr. Scott. The call was more of a surprise as he felt quite unacquainted with that gentleman, and, besides, he thought he was not in favor with him. The object of the call was presently made apparent. " I s'posc you have never thought of teaching school .-• " began the visitor. "Yes, I thought of it; but, as I cannot very well leave home, I have not spoken of it. Were it not for this hindrance, I would be glad to take charge of a small school." " I thought so. Well, now you needn't go away from home at all. You can have the school here at the Corners, if you say the word." "I thought you had a teacher engaged. We expected that school would open on Monday." " So I had, so it will ; but the teacher won't be the one I had engaged. You see, three weeks ago I hired a young fellow from Lincoln. I didn't feel quite satisfied with him, especially after my wife said — 'I don't sec why you didn't offer the place to John Heckman.' Now a man don't like to have some one ask why he didn't do something different, particularly when he does not feel quite satisfied himself with what he has done. And I was vexed with myself that I had not thought of it sooner, and almost out of patience with my wife for not speaking before. And I just kept getting !!|!|': 1 86 KOYAI. nOUNTY. W 'ii I ! sicker and sicker of my bargain with the Lincoln fellow, but I could not back down. However, it has turned out all right ; this morning I got a let- ter from him asking to be released from his engagement, as he could have a place in the Academy at home. I said — 'All right, couldn't suit me better.' And I wrote to him that Lincoln could keep him if they wanted him, that we had good material of our own. And so, if you want the place, you can have it. The pay is good ; I had agreed to pay the other fellow ten dollars a week for twenty weeks ; and I'll give you that, though I suppose that some of the district will think that you ought to teach for less, seeing that you can board right here at home ; but I don't see that it makes any difference to the district ; if you choose to live on air, that is your business. Any way, I am authorized to pay that ; and if you say so, it is a bargain." "But you know I have had no experience in teaching." " Yes, I know all about it ; you never had any experience in farming, either, did you ? But I don't see as that has been anything against your success. Folks that have the right stuff in them can get along without experience, according to my calculation. Any way, it is not to be bought at the stores; and, if you have it, you have got to make it out of somebody — might as well take it Royal noiTNtv. 187 Out of the boys and girls here on West Hill. I reckon that they will give you a good chance at experience, with variations — musical, at that! It is a rather hard school, I'll admit ; but I'll risk you, and back you up, too. Since the colonel has given you the cold shoulder, I guess it is my duty to lend you a hand when you need it. Oh, I am not going to gossip ; but I have heard about the fuss, and I want you to know that I admire your grit. Maybe I should not have let the chance slip ; but I can appreciate your standing for a principle, and I said to myself — 'That's the sort of a teacher we want.' The boys in this neigh- borhood need some principle pounded into them." When John had signified his willingness to accept the position, Mr. Scott drew from his pocket a contract, vvhich was filled out and signed before he left the house. Reaching home he said to his wife — "There! Unless that young fellow makes a bigger failure than I think he is capable of doing, I don't see how this district is going to get out of paying him two hundred dollars next spring for services rendered ! The colonel will have hard work to break up that contract. I thought I would make it fast, for one never knows what scheme he will concoct. He has no children to send to school ; but he may interfere for all that, because he is a tax-payer." ;!!!|i : ! \m- I 1 88 ROYAL HOUNTY. •'Well, Beth, have you anythinf; which will fit that?" asked John after their visitor had gone. "Not a thing! It is too big for me. I shouki call it a Special Providence with capitals!" " I never hoped for anything half so good. I thought if I could earn fifty dollars extra this winter I should be satisfied ; and I sometimes thought that I was wild to think of earning that amount. But two hundred dollars ! Just think I But, Beth, if I should fail and make a .fizzle of it!" " You won't ! You'll go through with it ; I feel it." "Your faith is sometimes stronger than mine; I don't understand you." "Well, I understand myself, and that is all that is necessary." " Are you sure of that.** I sometimes doubt if you do understand yourself." "I do; the truth is, my faith rests in you." "Oh, Beth!" " Fact ! Well, perhaps I might go a little fur- ther, and say my faith is in you and your God. I mean I have faith in Him, because I believe He honors the faith of those who trust Him. See.?" " I see ; but, Beth, if you believe that, why do you not trust Him for yourself.-*" "Oh, it is so much easier to have a proxy!" kOVAI. MOUNTY. I.S9 " lUit that is not the way these things stand; every soul is accountable for himself ; no proxies are received at the court of the King. And, oh, Beth, does He not deal royally with us, as becom- eth a king?" The next day was Saturday ; and, as John was to open school on Monday, it was necessary that he should go to Claybornc that day. Beth deter- mined to take the oppoitunity of making a long- promised visit at .'i: Watso;. s. During the summer, John had bou;.':h.. a second-hand buggy, so that he could now lak'; his mother and Beth to church or for a drive. IMrs. Watson, who was much of an invalid, welcomed her young guest very cordially. Stephen being a favorite with the doctor's v/ife, she was prepared to like the sister. Beth was bright and intelligent, besides being very pretty. Nothing could be more becoming to the young girl in her freshness than the garnet cashmere with its velvet trimmings, and, alto- gether, she was a delight to Mrs. Watson. At dinner the hostess remarked that she was some- what discouraged upon the bread question. She said — "It has been one of the trials of my inva- lid state that I cannot make the bread for the family. It is so seldom that I have a cook who is a good bread-maker. No matter how per- fect the cooking may be in other things, the bread if? almost invariably poor." #! I I I I IQO ROYAL BOUNTY. "Bread-making seems to be almost a lost art," remarked the doctor. "I don't know about that," said Stephen. "Mother and Beth can make good bread." "So.? Can you make bread, Miss Beth .J*" asked the doctor. "Indeed I can!" "Well, Laura," addressing his wife, "I would suggest that you try to engage Miss Beth to sup- ply us with bread." " How would we get it .<' It is too far to send often." "Have it sent in by the Lincoln stage twice a week. I have eaten bread out there, and I can testify to Stephen's veracity on this point." " It would add much to the comfort of this fam- ily if you would take pity on us," said Mrs, Wat- son, addressing her guest, "and make better people of us, too; for poor bread makes dyspeptics, and dyspepsia causes people to sin easily." "I am serious," said the doctor. "So am I. The question is — Will Beth do it.?" "I would like to try it if mother is willing." " Oh, mother will be willing," said Stephen. "If Beth wanted to knead the moon into loaves of bread, mother would see nothing in the way." It was Hnally settled that, if Mrs. Heckman did ROYAL nOUNTV. 191 not object to the arrangement, Beth was to send in by the stage, twice a week, four loaves of her sweet, nut-brown bread. Mrs. Heckman was a little doubtful as to the wisdom of the plan; but she made no serious objection, and Beth became a woman of business. Her bread gave satisfaction, and very soon she had other orders, so that two days each week she had all she could do to supply the deqiand. John laughing^ly declared that she lived with her head in the oven, to which she replied — "If you knew how ambitious I am growing, you would say that I lived with my head in the clouds." ii(-i: :|! ] I !' do li 192 OUiUKUVVlNG TlilNUb. CHAPTKR XVII. OUTGROWING THINGS. "But I said unto their children in tlie wilderness, Walk ye not in the statutes of your fathers ... I am the Lord your (jod; walk in my statutes." AND so it came about that a very busy wintc. for the Hcckmans was setting in. I won- der just how much that brief declarative sentence conveys to your minds. Most people imagine they know what a busy life is. Young women fill in the intervals between calls and dinners and parties with creating remarkable figures in Ken- sington or impossible landscapes in oils ; or, if musically inclined, they spend hours trying to bring out at the finger-tips the music that was left out of the soul ; else they dawdle away their leisure time over novels, and think they are "very busy." Young men find that the claims of soci- ety, the club and the opera, added to the work of office hours, keep them "very busy." liut lor OUTGROWING THINGS. 193 John Hcckman it meant rising in the darkness and chill of the winter mornings, building the kitchen fire, and going out, often through a blind- ing storm, to attend to the stock ; working until schooltime, with an interval for breakfast, then spending six hours in the close, stuffy atmosphere of the school-room ; returning home at four o'clock to take up the round of evening "chores" ; spend- ing the evenings after supper either in school work, or in the interest of the temperance league, or else in the work of the Circle. Saturdays were full of cutting and drawing wood from the wood- lot, doing, or driving to town upon, the endless odd jobs that are constantly recurring. lie fore- saw, when he accepted the position, that it meant a hard pull and a long one, but he was young and vigorous and strong of soul. You say that it is not possible that a boy not yet eighteen c(nild accomplish it all — teach school, care for the stock, cut the year's wood, besides the league and Circle work.-* All I can say is, that it is true: this hero of mine did all this, and he did not break down under the strain. An ordinary boy could not have done it, you insist ? As to natural ability, John Ileckman was not more than ordi- nary, but Dr. Watson spoke truly when he told Stephen that his brother had something which he had not; and when the Spirit of the Lord comes into the heart and life of a young man with Hi j 11^ ;ll|( T94 ouTGRowmr, things. [Mft enlightening and strengthening power, we may look for extraordinary results. The school was large and the work hard. Nevertheless, John thoroughly enjoyed it, and the children with one voice declared that they never had a better teachei. Certain it is that the parents never before heard so much said at home about school and school work. The young teacher was enthusiastic, and his pupils caught the enthusiasm. The school had the unenviable reputation of being a hard one to manage, and hitherto the salary, which was thought to be exceptionally large for a country school, had been paid for managing, rather than for teaching. The highest recommendation that a teacher could bring to West Hill was that he could "govern" well, and some of the good people shook their heads gravely and feared that John would fail in "government." Had they known that he gave very little thought to the subject, there would probably have been still more dubious shaking of heads, and more doubtful expressions of opinion. It was not so much theory with him, as a matter of course, that he gave the pupils so much to do, and made their work so absorbing that for the most part they forgot to be mischievous ; and, having won the respect and confidence of the scholars, the rest was easy. Jimmie Howland was about the age of Frank Hcckman, offend Colonel I'ansons. "He does try to," was the cjuick r-^mn.st;. : OUTGROWING THINGS. 19; *'but I can't stand for manners when folks say things about the teacher. If I pass the examin- ations next time, he is going to teach me Latin, and I am going to college and study law. And then I'll go to Congress and make laws that will use up the liquor business." "So that is the kind of teaching you have this winter ! Setting boys up against their fathers' business docs not seem to me very honorable," commented the colonel " I didn't need any setting up against it. I hate the smell of the stuff, and I hate to have my father sell it. Last I^^ourth of July I saw it all as plain as anybody could, but I did not suppose I could do anything to help along. You see, I had not found out that there was any fight in me." With this he gathered up his books, and went up-stairs to the family rooms. Both men laughed as he went out, and his father said — " Jimmie has always been such a sickly boy, that we have humored him a great deal, and allowed him to say just what he pleased. I have often told his mother that she was spoiling him. lie has never been crossed at home, but I guess he has had a hard time at school, until this winter. He seems to have waked up considerably." •'He is only a child, and does not know what he is talkinf!" about; but I tell vou there is a Loixi III 19?? OUTGROW I NO THINGS. deal of that sort of talk going on. It is in the air, and even the children breathe it in." "So long as it is confined to children and young fellows without influence, like Heckman, there is nothing to fear," replied the saloon-keeper. "The children will outgrow the nonsense; I have seen temperance boys and girls before." " Yes ; as these boys grow older, most of them will see that their interests demand the sacrifice of these ideas, which they now think are princi- ples." This from the occupant of the tilted chair. "That is true; so long as we can control the business interests of the country, we are safe from fanatics. As you say, when these boys grow older, they will be ready to see things differently ; and by the time they become voters we shall have nothing to fear from them." " Still, it might be as well to put a check on that boy's tongue," remarked the colonel, as he brought his chair to its proper position, and, taking up his package of groceries, went out. l^ut neither then nor ever since has any check been put upon Jimmie Rowland's tongue. Nei- ther business interest, nor the prospect of politi- cal honors or literary distinction, has the power to make him less earnest in his championship of the cause to which he so early devoted himself. Setting Jimmio Ilowland upon his feet, teach- ing him self-respect and self-confidence, arousing OUTGROWING THINGS. 199 in him an ambition to be first a boy among boys, then a man among men, and awakening in him a love of study, was not the only work done during that winter's term of school, tending toward the elevation of the West Hill people. This in itself would have made that session a memorable one ; but there were other boys who learned valuable lessons, whose feet were turned into an upward path through the young teacher's influence. Par- ents looking on knew, and sometimes spoke, of the earnest, faithful school-room work of the win- ter ; pupils could have told of private talks and words of encouragement, hints of possibilities before them, tender warnings against evil ways, and gentle, faithful pleadings in behalf of truth and right ; but who shall tell of hours spent by the teacher alone with the Master, pleading for wisdom to guide aright these hearts that he could so easily sway, and for the faith and love that would enable him to reach any that stood aloof.? These hours, the history of which cannot be written, hold the secret of John Heckman's success as the teacher of the West Hill school. The young people of the vicinity seemed to have caught the spirit of earnestness, and a zeal for study took hold of many of them. Jack Swan declared that the Hill was becoming so literary that there was no comfort in life for those who were of a different stamp ; and he, utterly refus- \W\' rsr^T 200 OUTflKOWINd THINCS. \\v^ to be drawn into the world of bf)oks, spent more time than ever before at Ilowland's. He was there in the dusk of a winter afternoon when Fred Morj^an drove up in a cutter, and, runnin<^ in, asked for Jimmie. VvQd had been the ring- leader of the rioters, the one boy whom former teachers had most feared ; and while his usual demeanor had been commented upon, people had said — "He is bidinir his time. He will never let the school-master l;o through the term without a trial of strength." Little they knew that the trial to which they looked forward had already taken place, and that it had not been the usual test of physical force. Fred himself could not have told just when he yielded and went over to the teacher's side. "When are yoii going to put him out?" asked Mr. Howland. "Who.?" "Why, that young upstart of a teacher." "We don't intend to put him out. We know enough to see that we have got a good teacher, and we mean to treat him well as long as he treats us as if we had souls. We are not fools." "But I hear that he imposes upon you — doesn't give you any chance for fun." " We never had more fun ; and besides, we have found out that fun isn't all there is to get out of a living." OUTGROWINC. THINGS. 20I "Hear the philosopher talk!" exclaimed Jack. "Say, now, Fred, if you will put him out, I'll hap- pen along and help you." "Help us! If we wanted to do anything so mean, we could do it without your help; but, if you come, we will put you out." "Where are you going to-night with your fancy establishment ? Got your mother's afghan, too." "We are going over to East Side district to a spelling-match. Jimmie and I are the best spell- ers in our school ; I am going to take him and the teacher along in my cutter." "That's where you are going, is it .'' Say, there is a good place just beyond Murphy's to tip over; it would be easy enough to roll the school- master down the bank and give him a ducking in the ditch. I noticed this afternoon that it was half -full of water, and it won't freeze much to- night. " "Jack Swan ! What do you take me for.-*" said the boy indignantly; "I am not such a knave as that ! When I take anybody for a drive under my protection I don't turn craitor. Besides, you may as well understand that we are the school- master's friends. There isn't a boy who wouldn't show fight if anybody touched him." "Fred, I am really afraid something is the matter with you. Your folks should be warned ; you might become dangerous." 1TW K* I 1 ?02 OUTGROWINO THINGS. : i 1 ! 1 "I might be dangerous under some circum- stances to such fellows as you ! " responded the irate Fred. Then, suddenly controlling himself, he said — "Jack, I don't blame you for supjiosing that I would be ready to listen to your schemes for playing a trick on Mr. Heckman ; but you may as well understand that I am done with that sort of thing." " It looks as though we had another saint amongst us," said Jack, turning away with a laugh to answer a call from some of his set in the card-room. Presently Jimmie appeared, his mother following him with extra wraps and cau- tions regarding exposure. These Jimmie was in- clined to reject, saying he was tired of being coddled like a baby. "It is not cold, Mrs. Howland," said Fred. "I do not think you need be anxious ; it is thawing." "Yes; and it is just the dampness that is bad for Jimmie's throat." "But, mother, I haven't had a touch of sore throat this winter. I am outgrowing it." A thoughtful person would have said that sore throats were not the only things that the boy was outgrowing. As the winter wore away, and there was no outbreak of insubordination in school, and the trustee was not once called in to settle a diffi- culty, that gentleman chuckled, and congratulated OUTCROWtNC TTTINGS. >o.^ himself again and again upon his own apprecia- tion of John's good qualities that had led him to the choice ; and I am sorry to say that he never once thanked his wife for the suggestion. In fact, I am inclined to think that he thought the idea originated with himself. Of course there were grumblers ; there arc chronic grumblers everywhere. There were those who, as Mr. Scott had prophesied, complained of high wages paid to a young man without experi- ence. To these Mr. Scott made reply by ask- ing — "What good did experience do the teacher we employed last winter.^ He had a new experi- ence here when the boys put him out of the school-house and locked the doors." When it was noised about that a Latin class was to be formed there was more grumbling. There were those who said that the teacher was paid for giving instruction in common branches, and that they did not propose to pay for time spent in teaching a few pupils Latin. It was taking time from those who did not wish to take up the study ; public schools were not the place for such things. It was the same question that is being discussed in more august bodies than those which convened in grocery, saloon or black- smith shop at West Hill. But when it was known that the Latin class recited out of legal school hours, there was no chance for complaint ; !i "-K-U*? ■Mil 204 OUTGROWING THINGS. antl the whole ground must needs be gone over once more in the search for a legitimate cause of complaint. T^inally the fault-finders seemed to have become discouraged ; and teacher and pupils became more and more absorbed in their work. The Latin class was a delight to John, though, as he listened to the repetition of the familiar declen- sions and conjugations, sad thoughts were awak- ened of his own interrupted studies. But bravely he put these aside, saying — "Though I do not go to college myself, it looks as though I might send half a dozen or so in my place ; and there are boys in this school who will yet be heard from." ! I A MINORITY REPORT. 205 f CHAPTKR XVIII. A MINORITY REPORT, liij " And Caleb .said, sess it." l^t us go up at once and po.s- MEANTIME there were taking place in the neighborhood other events of interest, which demonstrated the truth thut we do not stand alone. The threads of our lives are so interwoven with other lives that whatever affects the color or texture of our web may change the tint or fibre of theirs. And the sudden snapping of the cord of friendship between the Heckmans and Colonel Parsons was not without complica- tions. Espedially the plans of the young people were disarranged. Schemes which had been i)r()- jected, and which the colonel was expected to further, had to be given up because of the widen- ing breach. In pursuance of their resolve to observe appro- priately in some public manner all the holidays, !i I I 206 A MINORITY REPORT. they had arranged for a Thanksgiving dinner to be given at the colonel's house. It was to be a real old-fashioned dinner, with old-time dishes served upon nld-time crockery, as far as possible. For weeks the girls had been studying the old stained and yellowed manuscript cook-books of the mothers and grandmothers, and many test dishes were set before the families of the neigh- borhood, who patiently breakfasted, dined and supped upon the results of the efforts of these experimental cooks. Rob Davis came into the committee meeting one evening saying — "We have all been suffering at our house from an attack of dyspepsia. Lizzie has been feeding us on *lady cake' and 'Marlborough tarts.* The cake had a heart of stone, and the tarts — well, I hope our dispositions will not become of the same degree of tartness." However, successes as well as failures in this line were reported, and the fame of the young cooks having spread, it was expected that many people would be glad to be spared the trouble of getting an elaborate dinner at home, and would at the same time enjoy the social gathering of friends and neighbors. The affair was in charge of the temperance league, the profits to go into their treasury. Colonel Parsons was not a mem- ber of the league, but so long as its work did not directly interfere with his business ''ntercsts, he A MINORITY REPORT. 207 favored the plans of the young people. To his mind there was no immediate connection between opening his house for what he called "a rousing good time" and the annihilation of the liquor traffic. He did not look for anything to come of it beyond the pleasure of a neighborhood gather- ing. Perhaps in his heart he was a little proud of the distinction of being known as the patron of a wide-awake set of young people. But the dis- agreement with John changed the tenor of his thought, and made him the avowed enemy of any plan in which his former favorite was interested. He said the young people might have a dinner at his house — for that matter, he had just as lief get up a dinner for them — but no Hcckman, nor, indeed, any member of that temperance league, need look for a welcome. In consequence, the plan was quietly dropped, and the people of West Hill ate their Thanksgiving dinners at home. It is to be hoped that Colonel Parsons enjoyed his. Some time previous to this, at a meeting of the league, a committee was appointed to devise means by which they might, if possible, rid them- selves of the presence of the grocery saloon in their midst. The opposition of the leading man in the community was not without its effect upon the membership of the league, and many silently withdrew from any active part in the organiza- tion ; and when, early in Dcc<;mber, the commit- I j mmm i t 3o8 A MINORITY RKRORT. tec reported, it was to the effect that nothin^r could be done. The saloon was to them a walled city, intrenched in law, bristling with battlements from which license flags floated, defended by giant politicians. And, indeed, they were not sure that it was not a necessity and a benefit to the community. The store was certainly a great accommodation, and it could not be made profit- able without the added business of liquor-selling. And, any way, they said — "Everything is against us. We are weak, unable to contend against the liquor fraternity ; as well might a grasshopper contend with a giant." "Humph!" It was l^eth who uttered this exclamation. She was only wondering if the speaker intended to quote Scripture. But Rob had another thought, which he expressed — "Out West an army of grasshoppers is not looked upon as a very insignificant foe to contend with." The committee paid no heed to these side remarks, but concluded their report by advising a quiet submission to the necessary evil, and recom- mending that the league should confine itself to the (|uiet circulation of the pledge, judicious dis- tribution of literature, and the holding of occa- sional gospel temperance meetings. There was, however, a minority report. Two of the committee disagreed with the majority. A MINORITV RF.PORT. 209 side They said that, although the difficulties were great, they believed they were "able to over- come." If the people of West Hill were deter- mined that no liquor should be sold in their midst, and should so resolve, the matter could be carried through. Although the larger number accepted the conclusions of the majority report, there were a few who agreed with the minority, and were quite disinclined to abandon all effort to free themselves from what they felt to be a curse to their community. But in vain these few zeal- ous ones set forth the fact that the saloon was destroying the comfort and happiness of their homes, the peace and prosperity of their neigh- borhood ; that by its work mothers and wives and sisters were carrying about broken hearts ; that children were suffering for food and clothing, and being robbed of the birthright of childhood, a father's tender love and happy memories of home joys. The report was accepted and its recom- mendations adopted, and the meeting adjourned. "This neighborhood has come to a Jordan," said Beth. "What do you mean .-* " asked John, taking the batter-spoon from her hand and giving a vigorous beating to the bread-sponge she was mixing. "I mean just what I say. Over on the other side is a condition of things to be desired — tem- |)erance, morality, peace ami prosperity. As a t .. Iiii I ! 2IO A MINORITY KKROKT. ?%;->-i neighborhood we have come pretty near the cross- ing, and that roll of the waves, along with the story of the spies, frightens the people ; they are afraid. You know how it was, and it is just so here. We won't go over, we are just going to settle down and stay in the wilderness. Mr. Scott wants to circulate the pledge and educate the children, so that, the springs being cut off, the river will go dry of itself ; Colonel Parsons don't want to go over at all, because the business prospects in his line are not so good over there ; and, the funniest of all, Mr. Davis thinks we must wait until they build a sort of bridge. And it isn't a bridge at all, but just something thrown part of the way across, from which we can jump over upon the other bank. It hasn't been tested yet, but they are going to try it in Chicago or somewhere, and if it works it will be the thing t.o do. Meantime we must do the best we can to guard our homes and our friends from falling into the power of the enemy." ♦'But, Beth, you know what they say is true — the law is on the side of the saloon." "The law does not say that Rowland shall keep a saloon in this neighborhood ; it allows him to do so if the people consent. The people ought not to consent." ♦* How many men do you think woukl sign u protest.''" asked Juhii. A MINORITY KKPORT. 21 I "I don't know; but we will know before long just how many will." A few days after this, a quarrel at Howland's, which came to a fight and sent one of the young men of the vicinity home with a bruised head, somewhat aroused the people, and at a special meeting of the league it was determined to act upon Beth's idea and find out just how many were willing to sign a petition to have the place closed. Very quietly and very diligently they worked. After more than one "whereas," setting forth the grievances, the petitioners begged that for humanity's sake Mr. Rowland would desist from his business of dealing out strong drink. This petition was signed by nearly every woman and young girl in the neighborhood. So quickly and quietly had the work been done that Mr. How- land was surprised at being waited upon by a large delegation, headed by several young ladies. Beth Heckman asked permission to read to him a paper which she held in her hand, and he courteously gave permission. As she finished reading, she handed him the paper with its list of names, asking him to look at them. He took it, but laughed derisively, saying — "Do you suppose I will throw away my means of getting a living for tiic whims and prayers ol ill: 12 A MINORITY REPORT. 1 I a few women ? Why, you haven't a name on this paper besides women. You couldn't get a man to sign it; men know better. Women are fools, anyway." Beth and Lizzie stepped aside as Dean Wilson came forward. "Mr. Howland, I was one of your best custom- ers not so very long ago, but I have seen my folly, and to-day you must number me with those of whom you speak so contemptuously. I ask you to look at this list." It was another string of facts tersely put, and a list of names which astonished the proprietor of the house. This was signed by men — men of influence in the community ; and right alongside the names of men who never patronized the saloon were found the names of several stagger- ing, reeling drunkards, men who longed in their better moments to be free from the power of the saloon. •* How many more of these petitions do you expect me to listen to before I turn you all out- of-doors.-*" was the angry inquiry. "We expect you to listen to reason, so that there will be no need of any further petitioning," replied Dean, quietly. The formality of presenting the written peti- tions over, women with pale, wan faces, with eyes sunken from privation and dimmed with tears, fl. I A MINORITY REPORT. 213 came forward to plead their cause — to plead for their husbands and their sons. "It is humiliating," said a looker-on, "that in this nineteenth century, in a civilized, not to say Christian, community, women should be forced to plead with men for their homes and their happiness. The law-makers should see to this. One could scarcely blame these sufferers if they took desperate measures to rid themselves of the enemy of their homes." "This scene has made a thorough temperance man of me," was the declaration of another looker-on. " I tell you, it shakes a man up to look at Mrs. Swan pleading with that hard man for her husband and son." It was of no avail so far as they could see. Howland laughed scornfully. He had a license. "Go to the law-makers," he said. "I am not such an idiot as to throw away my chances of making money for the whims and requests of a lot of crazy-headed fanatics." "Mr. Howland, have we our answer.?" asked Dean Wilson. With a volley of profanity Howland assured them that nothing could change him. "Do not be too sure of that," replied Dean. fou should remember that the Lord Almighty on the side of a righteous cause, and the anger Jehovah is something to think of." <( ^i i 214 A MINOKirV KKPORT. 'I Mil ) . " I have heard things like that before, but noth- ing ever comes of it." And Mr. Howland turned carelessly away, as if to end the interview. But Dean Wilson laid his hand upon the man's arm and said — " I wish that you had decided differently, for the day will come when you will wish you had lis- tened to our pleadings." His hand was rudely shaken off, and the man only laughed scornfully. As they walked home John said — "Well, Dean, it has turned out as you expected, I sup- pose. We knew in our hearts that nothing would come of it." "Something has come of it," said the other. " How do you mean ! We have succeeded in making him very angry." " What I mean is this : We are stronger as a temperance organization ; we have shown our- selves ready to do hard, disagreeable things. We have seen something of the misery of drunkards' families, and something of the hardness of drunk- ard-makers. And Howland is more than angry ; he is disturbed. He knows that there is a strong power behind him, and he realizes that there is a stronger behind us." People were astonished at the stand that Dean Wilson was taking in the affairs of the neighbor- hood. Since that evening when he turned back to the Hecknian parlor, instead of following Jack A MlNORITV REPORT. 2IS Swan and Stephen, a change had come over him ; not all at once, but so gradually that none thought to date it from any special point or event. Since the organization of the C. L. S. C, the change had been more marked. There was amongst them all no more enthusiastic worker or more earnest student. A new element seemed to have entered into his character. i t k I'l :i i!i 2l6 A PKAYEH, chaptp:r XIX. Ill fi A PRAYER. "Canst thou by searching find out God ?" IT was past the midnight hour, and still John Hcckman sat in his room with bowed head and a heavy heart. Two events of the day which had just turned into yesterday had combined to cause the burden he was bearing to press very heavily upon him. Mr. Munson had, as he expressed it, "borne his cross" in speaking to John in regard to his "duty as a Christian to let his light sViine amidst the darkness of West Hill." He mancigcd to be passing the school-house just as the day's session closed, and going in, said — "I have been wanting an opportunity to speak to you ; it seems to me you arc making a mistake with all these societies and circles, that are only just worldly affairs. As a Christian, you ought to introduce some religious service here. I told Dean when he was at our house that if it were a i (1 A PRAYER. 21 praycr-mccting you were starting here I should quite approve. Excepting yourself, I suppose there is not a praying man in the neighborhooci. It is a sad .state of affairs." "I know," replied John ; "but how can we have a prayer-meeting if there are none to pray .-' I would be willing to join any one in undertaking to sustain such a service. Would you come up here and start a prayer-meeting.''" "Oh, I do not feel that I am called to the work ! My duty is to our church at Clayborne ; the church is in a low state and needs my help ; and that is another thing I wanted to speak to you about — your duty to the church. I never see you and your mother at prayer-meeting on Wednesday evenings. A young man ought to be more particular about attending upon the ordi- nances of God's house." " Mr. Munson, you must remember that we live nearly two miles farther from the church than you do, and that we have heavy cares laid upon us here at home. I do not see how it would be pos- sible for me to go to Clayborne for the mid-week service without neglecting other duties." "Duties never conflict," said Mr. Munson, solemnly. "So I think; it may be that I have a duty here which I have not taken up. I do not see my way to it just yet ; but I have wished that some 1 ! ii I ! \ ■ l 2l8 A PRAYER. f\ I ' 'I T' I! ' ■ U one might come out here and start a Sunday School." "Young man, you cannot lay your duty over upon some one else's shoulders." " Nor do I wish to ; I only want to know that it is my duty." " How can it be otherwise .'' We are com- manded to let our light shine. And you, stand- ing alone here, ought to be a light to illuminate the whole of this darkened community." •'And do you think that trying to sustain a prayer-meeting alone is the only way I can let my light shine?" asked John, smiling. ** Oh, no ! Oh, no ! Your daily walk and con- versation should set forth the beauty of the gos- pel. But as a means of grace to this community a public service seems important." John was silent. He could not tell this man of the seed he was dropping into hearts here and there ; indeed, he did not know himself all that he was doing by his earnest, consistent life ; he did not know that his sacrifices for principle would yet bear abundant fruit. Mr. Munson did not know of the agencies set in motion, which were quietly uplifting the tone of society at West Hiil. Had he known of the burden already resting upon the heart of his young friend, of how often the people of the neighborhood were borne before the Lord by this faithful servant, he might have A PRAYPLR. 2ir over t havv spoken only words of encouragement ; or if not — and I am not sure that he knew how to speak encouraging words — he might at least have been more tender in the "discharge of his duty." He was a little disappointed in the result of the inter- view ; but he told his wife that he had done his part, and his conscience was clear. And John, humiliated and seeming to hear a voice saying — "This thi;ig is too heavy for thee; thou art not able to perform it thyself alone" — went about his work in great heaviness of heart. It was the evening for the Circle. Peth, eager and enthusiastic as usual, found John disinclined to talk, and wondered a little thereat. Once or twice during the evening John caught a gleam in Tom Munson's eyes, which was partly amusement and partly sympathy ; and when they were break- ing; up, Tom whispered — *T';!ver mind, old fellow! I heard father tell- ing mother something about his call. I suspect the interview was not very inspiriting to you. But just keep on your > .. gait ; you are all right. Father means well, but ho don't understand you. Some day when I have a chance I'll tell you something cncouraginij." ThcBC sentences, i ttered with a half-serious, half-c(;inic ah, niPJo John smile in spite of his depression, r id Tom seemed satisfied with the result ot hi: effo'^f, at consolation. H 220 A PRAYER. w ] ]i'.' tl 151 Beth walked home with Rob and Lizzie, while John remained behind to finish his work of look- ing over school exercises. It wai> nearly eleven o'clock when he was through and ready to go home. Meantime, Mamie Howard declined the company of the members of the Circle who were going her way, saying — "Clarence is waiting for -^^ .it the store." Going in to inquire for him, she was told that he would be ready in a few moments ; would she step into Mrs. Rowland's sitting-room and wait.-* "Thank you, but if he will be ready soon I will wait here." And she waited, until presently Clar- ence himself came from the back room, saying — "Mame, why don't you go home with the others.'* I am not going yet awhile." "But, Clarence, the others have gone; . ul besides, you told me that you would go with me . I would stop hero." "Well, I am not ready. You go up an(i sit with ]^Trs. Howland until I am ready." In vain she urged that it was late, and that Mrs. Howland would not want to sit up for her. Clarence would not yield, and she would not go without him ; so she waited, sitting for a while with Mrs. Howland, and then going dowi; to try to coax him away. "Can't you send h'm home."*" she entreated of Mr. Howland. A PR AVER. 221 rric i- while to try "Why, that would hardly be courteous, would it?" he asked with a wicked laugh. "It would at least be human," she responded, bitterly. " Now, my young friend, if you are going to undertake this job of escorting your brother home whenever he stays out longer than your puritan- ical notions allow, you will have to nerve your- self to meet disagreeable things. You must be aware that at this hour we are not used to lady visitors." Bravely she stood her ground and waited, until at last, Howland, seeing she would not go without him, advised Clarence to go, saying it was about time to close up. Mame thought she was glad to get out into the night, but she found it was no light task she had undertaken. Clarence stag- gered along in the half-trodden path through the snow, seeming about to fall at every step. The night was very cold, and their progress was so slow that the girl was becoming benumbed with the cold. "What shall I do.?" she said within herself. Just then, John, having locked the door of the school-house, stepped out from the shadow u( {\\c building into the bright moonlight. Recognizing him, she called out — "Oh, John ! Will you helj^ inc > " Checking his rapid strides, he turned to meet a face pale with terror. i^S 1i ' 1 '■m -^r. I m f'!^' JPi I!lll 222 A PRAYER. "Why, Mamc ! How is this? Have you not been home ? " "No; I have been waiting for Clarence." "Waiting! Where.?" "At Rowland's. I could not go home without him. Mother would be so anxious." John had taken the stumbling young man by :he arm, and was with some difficulty guiding his uncertain steps, trying to sustain the swaying form. It was a slow and wearisome walk. Clar- ence leaned bodily upon his escort, and once or twice stumbled and fell in spite of John's efforts to hold him up. They made no effort at conversation after those few explanatory sentences, and at length, almost exhausted, they reached Mr. Howard's door, and with some difficulty succeeded in getting Clarence up the steps and into the house. "Can I do anything more.-*" asked John, after they had disposed of the almost unconscious young man upon the couch in the sitting-room. "I think not," replied Mamc, the color coming- back to her face, though she was still quivering in every nerve. " You have done me a great ser- vice. I cannot thank you as I would like to. I am sure I coukl never have brought him home by myself." " Mame, has this happened before.?" "He has never been so helpless ns to-night. I A T'RAYER. 223 or »g 111 s'jr- t. I have been after him two or three times this winter, and he has been willing to come ; but to-night Jack Swan kept urging him to one more game, and kept filling the glasses. Of course Rowland did not sell Clarence any liquor while I was there. He is very cautious." "It is hard that we have to endure this thing," said John, "Yes; and, as he said the other day, he has everything on his side," "Not everything. We have God." "We claim to have God on our side, but He does not seem to care." Her tone was bitter, and she accompanied her words by a little gesture of impatience, "I don't like to hear you say that," "How can I help it .'' Here's my only brother; look at him in there ! And I am utterly power- less against this giant enemy. There isn't a single thing I can do, and as things are, there is no one with an arm strong enough to save him, God could crush this enemy as easily as I could crush a worm under my feet, but He lets the work of ruin go on. I do not understand Him." "His ways are 'past finding out.' Sometimes wc can see the meaning of His dealings, but I think wc are oftener in the dark, and must just trust in His love, believing that He will do what is best. We cannot see the end of thintjs. " M »R;i '4. 224 A TRAVKR. " I know ; and you people say the right will prevail at last. But what good will it do me after my dear one is ruined, and our home and happi- ness destroyed ? " " Mamc, in the olden time there was one who, in the midst of suffering, said — 'Though he slay me, yet will I trust in him.'" She shook her head very sadly, as she saki, hopelessly — " I don't understand it at all. It seems to me like a want of feeling when any one can talk like that. This faith that you Christians make so much of must be a comfortable thing, but I should not want to get where I was willing to be crushed under such sorrow as this." What could he say to her.'* He was only a boy, with a boy's experience and a boy's knowl- edge of the needs of the human heart, and he seemed to have no message given him for this girl in her sorrow. He wanted to bring to her some tender, loving promise out of God's word, but none that seemed suitable came to him, and he only said, as he was leaving — " Mame, once when the disciples were in deep sorrow they 'went and told Jesus.' I wish you would go and tell Him." John was perplexed and troubled. Here was a young heart struggling with a heavy burden, not knowing where to lay it down, and ho, knowing, A PRAYER. 225 had not been able to tell her in language which she could understand. It had been so long since he had had any one with whom he could speak familiarly of spiritual things that it had become difficult for him to express himself, and he real- ized that he had failed miserably in his attempt to help Mame in her sorrow. It was past midnight when he reached home. Beth was awake, and called out^ — "Why, John, I was just thinking about going after you. Isn't it very late.''" " Rather ; but I found things to do which I did not expect. I am sorry you hav^e been worried. Good-night," and he passKjd on to his room, think- ing — "Hers is a light anxiety compared with Mame's. I suppose at the worst she would only imagine that I might be sick. I trust she will never have that other anxiety about any one dear to her." In the silence and chill of that winter night there came over him a sense of loneliness such as he had never known. Mr. Munson's call and its object seemed to him unwarranted and uncalled- for. It was hard, when he thought he was doing- all he could, and was working against such odds, both in his efforts to lift the family out of iheir financial straits, and in his school work, and in the effort to advance the i)ublic interests, to be thus rebuked for not doing more. lUit, whi1«' h<; - ^- I' iiili \t !m 126 A PRAYER. looked upon it as an unjust criticism rather harshly put, he knew that it had in it some truth, so that, unwelcome though it was, he could not put it aside entirely. He realized as never before that as a Christian he stood alone among the young people. Ev^n Beth, who entered so eagerly into all his schemes for improvement and progress at home and in the neighborhood, who even left him far behind in her enthusiasm and zeal, who was full of plans and methods and expedients to further their prosperity, and who labored earnestly that the intellectual and moral status of the community might be elevated, stopped there. She could not enter into the spiritual life which was to him the essence of life itself. In his approaches to the mercy seat he must go alone, because she would stop outside. In his longing he cried out — "If I had just one Christian friend to work with me, I could go forward with courage. They were ready enough to join a temperance society and a literary circle, but were I to propose a prayer circle, there would not be one to join. Mr. Munson thinks I have been putting the intellectual before the spiritual. Perhaps I have in appearance, but it was only because I have not known how to introduce the other, not because I undervalue it. I have set a high moral standard before my pupils, hoping to ^ead them step by step up to Christ." '\nd there — i-..-.~- ,,.*,- -1--','.-r .-*».■! -:='.'«iy ':■■ - 1 w«fcrii*i.-r:,,juvi*itts*:5i'^K — .^^..■l- m t ^•v A PKAV] •:k. 227 ther in the darl upon 3n the roofs Dean .11 was ealized of the place," igh; to vadays, len we lS it is »ked - — re ran- hroujjjh neadow m very one of e place or the " I hope the road will go through ; it would be a great convenience." "It is pretty sure to go," said the stage driver. "The short cut from Lincoln to Clayborne is just what is needed to make the connection ; and if it goes, it has got to go through the Gulf. It is the only pass through the hills. The grade will be pretty heavy ; but if they go anywhere else they will have to tunnel the hill. I reckon to give up staging before another year rolls around." 'Sleepy old West Hill will have to wake up," said Rob, as the stage drew up to let him out at his own home. Turning back at the gate, he called out — "Say, Dean, when does that little play you spoke of in such vague terms come off."*" "No reason why the Hill should be 'sleepy' with such wide-awake fellows around as that one," remarked the stage driver as they drove on. But Dean was thinking, with a little sigh in his heart, that he had failed in his attempt to interest Rob in that which had now become to him of such vital importance. And Rob himself was tliinking — "Of all the young peoj)le in this neigh- liorhood to go and get religious, Dean Wilson is the very last one I should pick out ! I would a great deal sooner have expected it of Rob Davis ! Now I would ! And I don't know but it is a good idea." 1 ! Ill •!!! ! rip I II I 250 DKAN BEGINS HIS WORK. I i Dean did not find it as easy to speak of his new purposes at home as it had been to speak to his boy friend. His father and mother did not open the way at all. They were full of questions in regard to the relatives whom he had been visiting, inquiries in regard to their health, their business prospects, their homes, their farms and stores, and even their politics ; but not an mquiry passed their lips as to the spiritual health of these rela- tives, not a word as to their prospects for eternity, as to their riches laid up in heaven, not a ques- tion as to whether they were about "the King's business." Had Dean's father and mother been Christian people, there might have been some- thing in the talk which followed his home-coming which would naturally lead up to the one thing that he was particularly anxious to talk about, and yet I am not sure that such would have been the case. It is not always that Christians put these matters in the foreground. We talk about bank accounts, stocks and dividends, with not a word of the treasure laid up in a bank that never fails, where the dividends are sure. We talk about what our friends wear, with never a question as to whether they are wearing and keeping unspotted the robe of righteousness. Dean tried to tell them at home about the day he spent in the city, but some way the talk would run off on other subjects. Did he hear anything DEAN BEGTNS HIS WORK. 251 (lay Duld ling about the new railroad ? Did he see anything about the new buggy they intended to get in the spring? And his mother said — "If I had known you were going to stop over a day, I would have had you select the new parlor carpet." Buggies and carpets and railroads ! How far were all these from his thought that day in the city ! He answered all their questions, and gave them such delightful accounts of everything that the quiet home was quite brightened up by his re- turn, and his mother remarked to her husband — "What a world of good this little trip has done the boy ! " But she never suspected all the good that had come to him until, in a day or two, a let- ter came from his new friend, Mr. Mills, saying that he would visit West Hill the very next day. This gave Dean the opportunity for speaking of the new interests which had come into his life. His father said — "Well, Dean, there was a time, a long while back, when I was interested in these matters. May be it would have been better for us all if I had kept on going to church, but away off up here there hasn't been much to encourage one in trying to live like a Christian." "Well, father, I think we will go down to Clay- borne often after this, you and mother and I." A slight illness of Mr. Wilson had thrown the work all upon Dean, so that he had not found an imiiiiiiN 252 DEAN r.EGINS HIS WORK. i)pportunity to talk with John in regard to the Society of Christian Endeavor. Indeed, he did not see him at all until that Saturday evening, when all the young people had gathered in the schoolhouse to listen to Mr. Mills. The notice which Dean had sent around to them was in the form of an invitation to meet his friend, and talk over a matter of interest to all. The story told by the stranger was substan- tially the same as that to which Dean had listened that day in the cars, and which has been repeated again and again- — that story of the beginning of the Christian endeavor movement and of its mar- vellous growth. Having studied the locality, and understanding the character of the young people to whom he was talknig, the speaker was able to interest them and to show how the constitution could be adapted to their needs, showing the elas- ticity of this document after a few vital principles of the organization had been adopted. It seemed to John Heckman that the fact of there being, so far as he knew, no other young Christian in the neighborhood, was an insuperable obstacle in the way of the organization of a society there. Indeed, the thought which was now presented was not altogether new to him. He had read of the organization, and had been interested in its methods, but had considered it not at all adapted to the needs of West Hill young people. But DEAN BEGINS IIIS WORK. 253 this stranger was putting it before them in a very delightful way, and making it appear to be the very thing which they needed. All objections melted away. Still, John could not see how they could have a society without active members enough to fill the offices. At length, the speaker asked how many would be willing to join as active members, and asked for a rising vote. They all looked to John Heckman to lead off as a matter ' of course, and some thought that perhaps Beth would rise. But Beth Heckman sat still, giving a little start of surprise as Dean Wilson arose and stood beside John. But another surprise awaited them. Rob Davis arose and said — "I do not know as I understand it, but I think you said — 'any young person who is willing to be known as a Christian.' If that is it, I want to be counted in. I am not sure that I am a Christian, but I am willing to be known as one just as soon as I have the right to the name." "We will count you in, my friend, gladly," said the leader. " Is there another who wants to be counted in .''" Yes, there was another, and still another — Jennie Munson and Lizzie Davis. And yet an- other. Jimmie Rowland had been sitting beside John, who now, as the boy stood upon liis feet, threw his arms about him in loving welcome to the fellowship of Christians. rrssssmBmimm it: DEAN BEGINS HIS WORK. "Another?" Still Beth sat still, and apparently unmoved. When associate members were called out, there were a dozen or more ready to put down there names, but Beth would not join as an associate member. No, indeed. She heard some one be- hind her whisper — " You might know that if Beth couldn't be an active member she wouldn't be anything," and this was followed by a subdued laugh which did not escape Beth. Altogether, she felt a little cross, a very unusual state of mind for Beth Heckman. This movement was not to her liking, and she would have nothing to do with it. The only remark she offered in regard to the matter was made to John when they reached home. She said — "I think it was mean to go and start something to which only a few can belong. Seems to me Dean Wilson is taking a great deal upon himself." And she went off to her room, giving John no opportunity to reply. It seemed a pity that this bitterness of Beth's opposition should come into John's rejoicing over the development of the evening. It was a sur- prise and a joy to him to find that, instead of his standing alone, all these young friends were ready to join hands with him in work for Christ. He said, with a happy little laugh, as he shook hands with Dean after the meeting — "Well, I have been mourning because I DEAN BEGINS HIS WORK. ^55 was alone, but it seems that we are quite a company." " You have been a society of Christian Endeavor all by yourself," said Dean. "The difference is," replied John, "that now we will write those two words with capitals." 256 THE RE-ECHO OF A SEKxMON. CHAPTER XXII. THE RE-ECHO OF A SERMON. "Through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ." BETH, haven't you come to a Jordan?" John asked the question one day when, in response to his entreaty, Beth very emphatically declared that she would have nothing whatever to do with the Christian I^ndeavor Society. The new organization was flourishing; though its membership was still small, its principles and object had taken hold upon the hearts of a few of the young people ; and, notwithstanding Beth's expressed opinion that it was altogether unneces- sary and uncalled for, the members already felt that it was just what they needed. Much to Beth's surprise, Tom Munson joined as an associ- ate member. She had counted on him as one who would be certain to keep her company as an outsider. But Tom said — "The girls want to attend the meetings, and THE RE-ECHO OF A SERMON. 257 and they cannot unless I drive up with them ; I might as well, for Sunday evenings are rather dull at our house, any way. And you know anybody can be an associate member." "I can't!" persisted Beth. "I can never do half-hearted things." "Then why don't you come right out and join as an active member.^ I do not see but you are as good as any of them." "Whatever else I may be, I am no hypocrite!" Dean Wilson was the president of the society, and surprised them all by the ability which he dis- played as a presiding officer, as well as by the rapid progress which he had made in the Chris- tian life. "I tell you, Beth, he talks like a minister," said Tom, as he stopped at the Heckmans' one even- ing, when the lookout committee, of which Jennie Munson was a member, held a meeting there. "I shouldn't wonder if he made one yet." This he added with a careless laugh ; but Beth sud- denly remembered that she had heard John and Dean several times lately discussing Greek and Latin text books, and that Dean had carried off John's Latin grammar only the evening before ; and she wondered if Tom's careless words might not have in them a bit of a prophecy. "Dean and Jonn aic becoming great friends," continued Tom. ' I am glad, for my part, that 2 5S THE RE-KCHO OF A SERMON. .1) John has somebody at last who thinks as he does about these matters ; it does me good to see them tog^ thvr. They are not a bit alike. You would notice it at once if you came to the Christian Endeavor meetings. John talks like a lawyer — argues everything out. He is as set as a stump ; wh*. n he once makes up his mind that a thing is right, he's there ! And then he sets to work to reason the rest of us into the same way of think- ing. One thing I have noticed; he has a 'thus saith the Lord ' for everything. I don't believe that brother of yours ever makes a move unless he is sure it is along a line laid down in the Bible. And with it all he is genial and full of life. Me is a kind of a revelation to me. Now my father lives by the Book, too, but John finds some things in his that father has never found in the one he uses. I wish that lookout committee would irivite father to join the society. He would grow young again, may be, and find that verse about children playing in the streets of the city. I believe my father to be one of the most conscientious Chris- tians in the world, but he is a little too sombre to recommend the all-important subject to other people." Tom did not seem to notice that he was having the talk all to himself. As for Beth, she was hav- ing a little fight within herself; she had so long been John's friend and confidante that it gave her THE RE-ECIU) OF A SERMON. ^59 c docs I them would iristian ^rycr — stump ; tiing is rork to think- i 'thus believe unless : Bible, e. Me r father things one he iTiVite young lildrcn eve my Chris- sombre other having ras hav- so long ive her a sharp pang to hear Tom speak of her brother's growing intimacy with Dean Wilson. Some way she felt shut out. This Christian luideavor Soci- ety had come in between her and John, and she was jealous of it. She told herself that she had known all along that John would naturally come to have other interests — interests in which she could not share ; she could not expect always to take up every scheme in which he became absorbed. It had come a little sooner than she expected ; that was all. It might as well be the Christian Endeavor idea as anything ; had he taken up the study of a profession, she woukl not have expected to join him in it; and she was a simple- ton to aD" herself to be disturbed about the mat- ter. What if he and Dean were growing to be such good friends .'' She and Lizzie were great friends, and John had never shown any signs of jealousy ; they still had their own plans and hopes and their little private fancy about the exodus, into which no one else could enter ; she was, or ought to be, satisfied. Besides, she had always liked Dean, and she was really glad that he was growing to be John's friend ; and having arrived at this conclusion, she thought she was quite wil- ling to have things as they were. But she was not ; that society still loomed up before her as something which she could not be interested in, but which stood right iu her way. What was the ^'iVWyOi*^ i--ii ■fi^ f^ i-^jji a&jJjsuMm -<»M||iit |jtf i^^ 260 THE RE-ECHO OF A SERMON. iiiattcr with Beth ? She had read over the consti- tution of the new society very carefully ; and had two or three sentences been cut out, she would v/illingly have subscribed to it. The conditions of membership were too hard for her, but she could engage in nearly all the work of the com- mittees. She could even be willing to take part in the meetings. She did not see that reciting a Bible verse in the prayer-meeting meant any more than reciting one in Sunday School ; anybody could do that. But the consecration-meeting, where " each member is expected to speak con- cerning his progress in the} Christian life" — that effectually shut her off, so she told herself. She had been trying to establish herself in her posi- tion ever since. She r.ssured herself thi.t she had no Christian li^e to advance. She laughed a little bitterly as she said to herself — "John asked me the other day if I had not come to a Jordan. Why, I haven't even started out of Egypt, or even f';one so far as to make up my mind to try to get away ! More than that, I haven't found out that there is a hard task-master to get away iVoin. I cannot iniderstand what they say about the story of the Israelites and their wanderings, with their Jordan and their Canaan, being tyi^ical (jf the Christian's life. Looking at it another way, 1 could tell a great deal about it ; indeed, I suspect that I know the story better than a good consti- id had would ditions Lit she J com- ic part iting a Y more lybody ccting, ,k con- — that '. She ;r posi- hc had a little cd me ordan. y\Ay or to try- found t away ^ about rrinjrs, typical mother deed, 1 good THE RE-ECTIO OF A ?;ERM0N. 2C)\ many Christians, and 1 presume they would be astonished if I were to tell them of the progress we arc making in this new-fashioned exodus here in our home and in the neighborhood. This mod- ern pilgrim? r^e interests me, but the other is beyond mc. Queer, I suppose, to be more inter- ested in the type than in the real thing, if there be any real thing to it. I am sure I do not .^cc how I could be any iliffercnt ; I study the l^ible quite a good deal, and I say my prayers, and do the disagreeable things just as they come to me, without a grumble ; and I don't see that any of thcrii do any more. Only there is something about John, for instance; aU'l I do not know what it is, but it does make him (Hfferent. And Liz- zie, too, she is differeno ; and yet, except for lier interest and work connected with that society, she docs just the same things she always did. If they had started a society that anybody could join, I would have taken hold of it, and attended the prayer-meetings and helped along in every way possible; but this thing is altogeth'r too exclusive." But Tom was saying — " Dean is positively transformed. I never saw anything like it. It has been going on now for a good while. lie used to be such a liaiiiin- scarum fellow— uj) to all sorts of doings ; and sud- denly he whisked about, and lirst he went iiilo n 2b2 THE RK-KCTTO OF A SER^rON. i! that tcmpcriincc work, then he threw himself into the C. L. S. C. with all his mid that those Old Testament peo- ple were saved through the sacrifice of the Son of (ioil offen-d out <• tor al That the idea of an THE RE-ECHO OF A SERMON. 263 '^' atonement for sin, and pardon through the shed- ding of blood, was set forth in the sacrifiees they offered, and though their faith was imperfect, yet it was accepted of God. I declare, Beth, the Old and New Testaments never fitted together in my mind as they did while I listened to Dean's sec- ond-hand sermon. He almost made me believe that there is something in it, after all." Perhaps that lookout committee, with John as chairman, then in session in the Heckman parlor, in all their wise and careful planning laid out no better work than that which was done all uncon- sciously by Tom Munson as he rehearsed Dean's prayer-meeting talk. That sermon preached in the dingy, shabby Clayborne church by a faithful but discouraged pastor, that sermon which the majority of the hearers pronounced "dull and dry," in its re-echo had reached the ear of Beth Heckman as a most startling truth. The talk drifted away into other channels ; they discussed the prospects of the new railroad, or rather they talked of their own prospects in view of the fact that the railroad was already consid- ered a certainty. "It will be quite a boom for West Hill," said Tom; "especially if they have a station here, as they piobably will. There is considerable prop- erty penned up here, which will be likely to see daylight pretty soon. Two men were up negoti- ^^ 264 THE RE-FXIIO OF A SERMON. :li' tk alin,!;- with Mr. Scott for that bluff at the lower end of his farm. Thev want to use the stone for ballast." "Perhaps our oak-trees will find a market," said ]5eth, and then the talk branched off upon the temperance question and the discouragements of the League, and finally ran into a good-natured dispute as to the best methods of conducting the C. L. S. C. meetings, until the meeting of the committee broke up and they joined the others for a visit all together. But through all the quiet talk with Tom, and through all the lively chatter with the others, the thought of the sacrifices of the Old Testament times as typical of the great sacrifice, ran in Beth's mind. In her study of that wonderful history she had skipped the typical law and the sacrifices. She had not found anything in their every-day experience that to her mind corresponded with these ceremonials, and now for the first time they assumed importance. I sup- pose that, had she been asked the question, she would have answered that these things were all types of the gospel dispensation, but up to this time it was an unmeaning fact. It all came upon her with force, that the offering of sacrifice was a type of Christ's sacrifice till He should come and offer Himself, and that it was the principal and most wonderful of all the Old Testament types, and that men were saved only through the shed- f:i THE RE-KCHO OF A !^ERMON. 265 d\n<^ of blood. She wondered how she could have been so intent upon finding parallels in their own intellectual and moral life, and have been so blind as to the deeper meaning that touched the spirit- ual life! Of course, John had seen it all along; and she remembered now, how he had sometimes tried to make her see it, but she had not under- stood. Suddenly, a sense of the need of a personal interest in the sacrificial blood of Christ came upon her. She was glad when their friends departed, and she was at liberty to go away by herself and try to think it out. And then, when she had spent several wakeful hours, her thoughts in a whirl, she wished it were morning so that she might busy herself with her work and get away from her thoughts. She told herself that she was sick and tired of h'.lizabeth Heckman, with her moods and her tempers, her plans and her dreams, her hopes and her ambitions. She wished she had never heard of those old Israelites, and that she and John had never planned an "exodus." The farther they went, the longer the road stretched out. There was more to it than she had supposed. Kvery new height gained only showed more land to be possessed, and now this serious side had come in to spoil all the enjoy- ment they had been getting out of their queer fancy! And now she told herself — "One thing is certain; I cannot play any longer with the inci- "% 266 THE RE-ECHO OF A SERMON. dents of this history that seem to symboHze our external life, unless I can take in the real mean- ing; that touches the soul life ! I see it all, but I cannot feel it. It seems a wonderful plan all the way through, and wonderfully wrought out in the sacrifice of the great High Priest. I suppose I have heard that expression — 'Christ our High Priest,' hundreds of times ; but it has never until now been shown to me that the priests offering sacrifices for the people were a type of Christ offering Himself for the sins of the world. I see ucw how tilings are linked together; the chain reaches clown all the way from Adam to us. I see the wonder and the beauty of it all, but only as an outsider — I wonder if I want to become a part of it ! The same old question that was asked long ago — 'Who is on the Lord's side.''' is asked over again here on West Hill just now, in the invitation to join the Christian Endeavor Society. Perhaps the time has come for me to decide the question." Turning back to the study of the exodus with a new-born purpoa.e in her heart, Peth saw new and wonderful truths which had ^i n hitherto hidden from her. The Sjiirit was showing her " won- :! tl _> out of the law." And more and more she wis coming to understand the need of an offering for sin ; :iiul if for the sins of a people, then i(oT the indivitlual, for her — lor Peth lirck- Bk thV. re-echo of a sermon. 267 e our mcLin- but I .11 the 111 the )ose I High - until ffeiing Christ I see chain us. I it only :ome a at was dde.?' ■it now, .idcavor me to k with a tew and hitldcn " won- ore and need ot [I people, h llrck- nian ! She saw how the covenant between God and His people Israel was ratified with blood, and how in the New Covenant as in the Old the sacri- ficial Lamb was slain ; only in the New, God had provided the offering which the soul by faith might lay upon the altar. That which had been to her simjily a fascinating story now stood forth as a scries of vital truths, as a part of God's |)lan of salvation. Losing none of its interest as a type of their every-day practical life, the history became more absorbing as symbolizing the Chris- tian's progress in spiritual life. "There are two sets of truths here!" John looked uy) from his book to find that l^eth had closed the l^ible, and that her face had taken on the look it always wore when she was, as she expressed it, "trying to get inside cf things." She continued — "One lies underneath the other, and I have never before seen it, or realized even that it is there ! Though I have studied the one on the surface, and turned the truths all over and over, and fitted them to every possible emerg- ency, I ha\-i' never discovered that they were meant to be transparent and to show the othev set!" "I suppose the trouble has been with your spectacles.'*" said John, with a tone of incpiiry. "Yes; I suspect that I have been looking through the wrong ones. What I see now is mi 268 TTTK RF-KCiro OF A S?:RM0N. Wonderful ; hut, John, I would not have missed what I saw with the other pair." "Suppose )'ou were to try looking through both, pairs? Vou would find the truths all interwoven, and the libres of the spiritual life running into the web of the every -day practieal living, the threads of which in turn lose themselves in the other, making altogether a fabrie of wonderful texture." " 1 see ! You mean that religion and business ought to go together.''" "Yes; you can i)ut it that way. I mean that Christ's i)rayer for all who should believe on Him, may be, and should be, answered in the life of every one of Ilis followers. He asked that they might be kei)t in the world, and that they might neither be of the world, nor yet be taken out of it. The spirit of obedience, which is the mind of Christ, ought to so enter into every act of the Christian that even what seemed the most trivial things will be done as unto the Lord." "That makes a serious thing of living," said Beth, very gravely. " lUit if you refuse to look into deeper things, they are there just the same; and does the shut- ting your eyes to them make the matter any less serious.'' If by 'serious' you mean gloomy, you arc mistaken, and should take it as just the oppo- site. You will find that your double set of truths lit into each other beautifully." Tin-: Ki.-Kciio or a skkmon. 260 Beth did not sccni inclined to talk any more, and John turned hack to his book. Presently, she went up to her own room., and did not ai)i)ear dowri-stairs a^^ain until an hour or two later, just as John was starting out. Then she came down with her out-of-door wraps on, and said — •' 1 think I'll go to the meeting with you." She was always doing unexpected things, but perhaps she never surprised her brother more than by this proposition. She had been urged by both himself and others to at least attend the meetings of the new society, and had so pointedly refused, and had seemed so entirely uninterested in the movement, that, knowing how persistent she could be, they had quite despaired of winning her over. Not quite ; they were praying and hop- ing that some time she might be brought to think differently. The meeting progressed after the manner of a wide-awake Christian l^ndeavor meeting, and presently Beth spoke with her usual bright man- ner, but with something in her tone that was different from the tones of the old lieth. She said — "I want to tell you something. An echo from this meeting fell upon my ear two or three weeks ago ; and the thought expressed has echoed and re-echoed, growing louder instead of fainter after the manner of echoes, until T had to take the message as to me from the Lord. And now 'i ^^ ^1 li i 1 f ^bI ( 1 1 1. flH ! ■ m m m:i(lc up this worshiping company. Many of the selections now repeated were full of comfort and cheer. When Ik'th's turn came, she recited in a clear voice — "The God of heaven, he will prosper us ; therefore we his servants wiU arise and build." Afterward, two or three brief yet earnest prayers were offered, those who prayed bein{^ mindful of their present distress and the pressing need of the hour — help ?.".:! direction. Then there was more singing, after which they went home. As their voices in the hymns filled the air, and floated away on the soft summer breeze, Mr. Rowland started up, exclaiming — " I thought Par- sons was going to put a stop to that nonsense." "What nonsense.-*" asked Jack Swan, who, as usual, was lounging away the evening at the saloon. "Why, that habit a lot of them have got into of using the schoolhouse for all sorts of meetings ; that is, they go there for a frolic and then to make it ajjpear all right they call it the meeting of some society, it did very well until they got to going Sunday nights. That is a little too much for a Christian neighborhood." "Seems to me," responded Jack, laughing, "that you are getting very jealous of the reputa- tion of the neighborhood. Now, I don't know legs- SATAN PLANS AN m^ERTHROW. 277 ny of )mtort ■ccitcd 10 will I arise jarncst being ressing Then y' went lir, and :e, Mr. ht Tar- se. ho, as at the ot into etings ; len to ting ot got to much Lighing, reputa- know much about Christianity myself, but I sliouUl judge that a few other things needed reforming before we could lay claim to being a Christian neighborhood." " Oh, take us as a whole, we are not the worst people in the world, and you know I always keep everything very quiet here on Sunday." " But that meeting at the schoolhouse is a religious meeting," insisted Jack. " Nonsense ! Tom Munson and Dean Wilson running a religious meeting ! They say Dean is at the head of it, too. Much religion there must be about it! And they have drawn my Jimmie into it. I can't have him following the lead of that set." " But you know Dean has changed, turned over a new leaf, they say." "Well, any way, the colonel isn't going to have any more meetings in the schoolhouse. lie promised that when we put him in. We don't need much religion up here ; it isn't good for business." •'Trade falling off, eh?" " Well, not to hurt me yet, though they have got away two or three of my best customers. lUit I don't mean they shall get much the start. They are after Clarence Howard. Now, Jack, you don't want to let them spoil him. He is a pretty good fellow if we can only keep him with SSBBSSM 278 SATAN PLANS AN OVIiRTHROW, '¥> I' I I , "I- 'fi '' us. I hope you'll try to manage him ; you can do it better than any one else." "All right; I'll look after him." Thus these two plotted against the peace of a home, plotted for the ruin of a son and brother. Would they succeed in ruining, body and soul, this brother that the sister and her friends were trying to save ? It seeips scarcely possible that he can escape, and he is only one of thousands upon thousands. While they were talking, ^hc father heard Jim- mie's step upon the walk, and called to him — '• Where have you been .■' " "Up to the prayer-meeting." " Seems to me you had rather a short session. Getting tired of it ? " "No, sir! But somebody, Colonel Parsons, I suppose, had been mean enough to lock us out of the schoolhouse, and he says we can't meet there any more." "Indeed!" "Yes, sir; that is just what he has done, and I think it is a mean trick." "Well, I suppose, then, your meetings are done with ? " Mr. I lowland could not altogether keep his triumj)h out of his tone, but the boy was too excited to notice it. He replied quickly — "No, sir! We shall hold the meetings just the SATAN TLANS AN DVKHTIIKOW. 279 same, if we have to fjo marching up and down the streets singing and praying as we go." "No danger of their doing that; they are not all as zealous as you are, I venture to say." '• I can tell you, sir. Colonel Parsons has taken a bigger job on his hands than he thought for. We are not the sort to be put down easily," said the boy, respectfully but firmly. "Now see here, my boy. You may as well give up this nonsense at once. You have been indulged in your notions too long. It doesn't look well to have a boy fighting against his father and his father's friends. When you were a little fellow, it was sort of sharp and funny ; but you are old enough now to begin to think about the interests of business." ''I'll never have anything to do with this busi- ness ! " said the boy, stoutly. "There! You have said enough for this time," returned his father, still good-naturedly. " I am going to the Brewers' Convention, Thursday, and I shall leave you to run the store while I am away ; so you'd better not talk stuff that you can't live up to." " I shall live up to what I say. I'll run the store, but I am not going to sell liquor." " Indeed ! I think we will see about that. Go to bed now, aufl sleep off some of your non- sense." As the boy left the room, the father m 280 SATAN PLANS AN OVERTHROW. added — "You see, Jack, how they are spoiling the boy. If shutting them out of the schoolhouse doesn't break them up, we will try some other means. I am not going to submit to having my business and my boy interfered with." "Are you really going to leave Jimmie in charge for the two days you expect to be away.-*" "Yes; he is quite capable, and he will attend to the business for all his talk." The next morning Dean called upon Colonel Parsons to ask the cause of the sudden with- drawal of the privilege of meeting in the school- house. The colonel replied, in effect, that the building was not intended for any such uses. If the privilege were accorded to one society, it must be to others, and the door opened fo»" thing'^i which it might not be proper to bring into the school building. "Has any such contingency arisen.-*" asked Dean. There had not, but the colonel wished to avoid the possibility of any such embarrassment. 'But," urged Dean, "the trustee has the right to decide what is proper and what is not. It seems hardly fair to put us out when three fourths of the families of the district are represented in these organizations." Yes, the colonel understood all that ; they were represented by children, and in some cases the Hi '1T I r ajMawil SATAN PLANS AN OVERTHROW. 281 ri'^ht parents were opposed to having their children drawn into these societies ; there were too many organizations — no sense at all in so many. The district school afforded all the means of education which the boys and girls of West Hill needed ; and if any of them were anxious for more religion, he supposed they could get it by going down to Clayborne to church. Any way, they had no call for a prayer-meeting, and besides, he had heard that they intended to start a Sunday School soon. "Yes," replied Dean; "we expected to open next Sunday." So the colonel had heard, and he determined to head it off. It was altogether uncalled for. Young people shouldn't be setting themselves up to teach their elders. Parents know what they wished to have their children taught, and if they did not see fit to teach them the Bible, it was no business of boys and girls to undertake the work. It was all of a piece with John Heckman's ideas; that fellow had brought more nonsense into the neighborhood than they had ever had there be- fore ; West Hill had managed to get along with- out such goings on for years, and there was no leason why such things should be permitted now. "At least, you will open the building for us for a few weeks until we can find some other place. It is not fair to shut us out without warniniii second i^art " the goods in the store, with full lib- erty to conduct the business upon his own respon- sibility and in his own way ; and it bound the boy to attend to business, and to render a strict account of the sales, and to pay over to his father a sum equal to the wholesale price of the goods sold. It laid so few restrictions upon the new proprietor that Mr. Howland remarked upon the fact, and suggested that it gave great latitude. " Of course ! But you see a fellow can't do anything to advantage when he is all tied up with restrictions." His father was much amused and well pleased with what appeared to be an unexpected develop- ment of a business taste, and with the boy's abil- ity to draw up such a paper; and when Jimmie suggested that so important a document should hav^e witnesses. Jack Swan was called in, and in much glee thv agreement was signed and witnessed. Fifteen minutes after Mr. Howland had disap- peared around the curve of the hill road, jjost- ers in large letters were nailed up in front of the saloon. The inscriptions were such as the following — " No liquor sold here durinp the rest of this wdek ! " " Huy your supplies at the Temperance Stoie! " "Attention! Kresh Candies! Kiiie ()raM}^es! Lome un, boys, uiul have a picnic al the Temperance Storul" w ^^^ ull lib- rcspon- nd the I strict father goods ic now •on the Je. m't do ip with pleased levelop- 's abil- Jimmie should in, and Lid and 1 disap- 1, i)ost- ront of as the uim: 1)11, wammBsmmmm. A ROY'S IDEA OF BUSINESS. 2 ini:A oi" nusixKss, 291 u]i there," replied Dean, explaininj^, and adding — " Better go in and encourage the little fellow." " But, after all, it is a saloon, and whiskey will be sold as freely as ever when Howland gets back." "Probably; I wish we had amongst us faith in this as the beginning of a new order of things. I suppose that it is not impossible that Howland himself may be brought to see the matter in a different light." "It would take a miracle to change him!" returned the other. " Well, as to that, it has taken a miracle to change any of us," returned Dean. "But it seems to me that when we have a respectable place open on the Hill it is a good plan to patron- ize it, and I think Jimmie will use the money he makes to the advantage of the neighborhood." The boys caught the spirit, and there was a run upon the candy cases, and the oranges disap- peared like magic. Mr. Scott, coming in that evening, and finding the stock running low, che coffee-sack empty, and the sugar giving out, vol- unteered to go to Clayborne the next day for supplies. He took a circuitous route in order to give a hint of what was going on to two or three families, who, he knew, would be interested to some purpose. And so the trade of the second day was not at all behind that of the first. The ,.. „ , llll ism 292 lioy s iin:.\ of tutstness. fame of the coffee and the daint\' cakes had reached the Gulf, where the railroad employees were hard at work, and, in consequence, business in that line increased. Mr. I lowland arrived at Clayborne upon his return trip, Saturday, a little after noon. He had to wait there an hour or two, and stepped intt) the wholesale grocer's where he usually obtained his supplies. He was i,nx'eted with the remark — "Trade must he pretty good up your way!" "Oh, I don't know. Why.?" "I judged from the order T filled yesterday; it was considerably larger than usual in some lines." " Yesterday ? " Yes ; Scott was in with his team, and said he was going right out empty, and would take the goods ; so we loaded him up. There were three barrels of sugar and a sack of coffee ; but here's the bill, isn't it all right.?" Mr. Rowland took the bill and looked it over; it was an order in Jimmie's hand. "T knew it wasn't your writing," said the gro- cer; "but Scott said you were away, and that your boy made out the order. Scott said it was all right, and I supposed he was rehable." "Oh, yes; it is all right. 1 have been away, and my wife and the boy are running things. 1 presume they sold out, though I supposed they had enough in stock." vVs ho left the dealer's, he s had )loyccs isiness on his Ic had itu the led his day ; it hnes. said he kc the J three here's It over ; Ihe gro- ul that it was away, n the traffic liad been boldly upheld, and where strong resolutions of opposition to the risini:; temperance sentiment and of mutual help and support had been passed, his thoughts were tak- ing a remarkable turn. Ikit perhaps this can be accounted for. Up-stairs, under cover of the bed-clothes, hav- ing obediently gone to bed, Jimmie was praying- over and over his simple, earnest j^rayer— "Dear Jesus, show my father that it is the best way." Down in the Hcckman gro/e, where the moon- light struggled through the thick foliage, and where, being under the brow of the hill, the soft summer breeze was scarcely felt, John, Dean and Rob were sitting upon the rough seats left there since the last picnic, talking things over. At length, Dean said — "Boys, I suppose we are agreed as touching this thing. Then suppose we ask it of the Father.-*" And may we not believe that their petitions mingled with Jimmie's, and that together they ascended swiftly to the throne of God, and that swifter yet came the answer.' And is it any wonder that Mr. Howland was moved as never before.'' Mad Beth Ileckman known of the thoughts that were stirring the man's soul, she would have said that he had comc> to his Jordan. Would he cross over into respect ability and virtue, or would he turn back to ways of sin ? I 1 wmm RH mmmBmrnm icrc MEMORIAL STONES. 30 r hav- CHAPTKR XXV. M E M O R I A L S T O N IC S " What mean these stones?' JOHN HKCKMAN was driving home from Clayborne one October afternoon. Some- thing—it may have been the haziness of the atmosphere, the bright tints of the forest, the autumn garb of meadow, pasture and corn fields, or it may have been the thought of his errand to town — recalled so vividly that long, toilsome walk up the slope upon another October after- noon five years before. How much had come into his life since! Days of toil, nights of anxi- ety, hours of wrestling, months of waiting, and years of patient endurance, disappointments and misunderstandings, hopes deferred, and griefs which had entered his soul. Yet he had never been utterly cast down, never quite discouraged, never forsaken. He had never lost sight of the pillar and the cloud, and whether the command 302 MEMORIAL STONES. m m ; il had been to abide in that place or to go forward, to stand or to strike, patience for the one or strength for the other had never been withheld. As he drove slowly homeward, he thought it n'' over — how they had been led and helped, an^ how, after all these years of struggle, they had reached the goal, the "Canaan" toward which he and Beth had set out one winter evening when the purpose that had been forming in John's mind found expression in a parallelism that had caught Beth's fancy and had been her inspiration ever since. The journey had been fully as long and wearisome as they had foreseen ; the mistakes and failures of their young heads and inexperi- enced hands had been many. But, as Beth said, they had "come out even at last." And John's errand to Clayborne had been to pay the note in full. "I think," said Lawyer Judkins, "that the colonel will be surprised. He told me a month or so ago that he supposed he might as well give it up as a bad debt. None of us suspected that you had been laying up money, and we thought the colonel would have to wait a few years longer for his money." "Nevertheless, it is here, even to the utter- most farthing," returned John ; and having taken a proper acknowledgment, he left the lawyer's office with a light heart. Next, he called on MEMORIAL STONES. 5o^ forward, : one or withheld. Tht it n1' ped, aiivi they had which he ng wlien in's mind d caught Lion ever long and mistakes inexperi- 5eth said, d John's note in ;hat the a month kvell give :ted that thought s longer le utter- ig taken lawyer's ailed on Stephen. Dr. Stephen Heckman was a very dif- ferent person from the lounging, shambling young fellow of five years before. His figure was erect, his step firm, and his speech, while retaining some of the old peculiarities, evinced culture and strength of character. His welcome was cordial, and his response to John's — "Well, Stephen, the Heckmans are out of the wilderness," was hearty. "And you are twenty-one to-day," he said. "I have been thinking about it and wondering how you would celebrate." "Well, I have begun the celebration by calling upon Judkins and paying up the Parsons note. I might have done it before, but I had a fancy that I would like to sqaure things to-day," replied John, with a little laugh that sounded like a strain out of a song of triumph. Then he added — "I came in partly to say that if you want a horse we can spare the bay colt. He is fairly well broken, and will, I think, answer your purpose very well, and mother says she will let you have the money for a cart, or gig, or whatever you want in that line." Stephen turned himself around, away from the desk where he had been writing out a prescription for a boy who waited in the outer office. " See here, old fellow, are you not reversing the usual order.-* People generally receive presents, instead of bestowing them, on such important -m ■^■■^^niiuHikij 304 mp:mokial stonf.s. anniversaries. Really, when will you have done with your 'coals of fire'?" The words and tone seemed meant to be jocular, yet there was an undertone of pain in them. "I don't understand you," was John's surprised response. " Don't .^ Well, no matter. I'll take the colt, and thank you." Then, laying his hand upon John's shoulder, he said, his voice trembling — "John, once for all, let me say that if 1 am any- thing better than the miserable, reckless scamp I was when you came home, I owe it to you and I want to thank you. You sacrificed for me, and, after all, you have come out ahead. / can't afford to give away horses." This last with a little gleam of fun through the mistiness in his eyes. "That is all right, Steve. You are getting a fine start, and will soon be independent. One thing more : mother and Beth are getting up a 'high tea' — a birthday cake and all the accom- paniments, I suppose — and they want you and Lizzie to come out on the four o'clock train. They seem to think that my being twenty-one is an occasion for a family party." "All right. We have been trying for several days to get out to the Hill, but have been kept busy with making arrangements for housekeeping. We hope to get settled next week, and then, if you people out at home think best, we want MEMORIAL STONES. 305 I have done ds and tone ere was an I's surprised ike the colt, hand upon nbling — if I am any- ess scamp I to you and for me, and, ' can't afford vith a little his eyes. re getting a dent. One etting up a the accom- nt you and clock train, venty-one is for several 3 been kept )usekeeping. md then, if we want ^ h'rank to come and board with us and begin his Greek at the high school with Professor Jennings." It will be concluded that Stephen Heckman must have made a man of hirnself, else Mr. Davis would never have been willing to give the happi- ness of his only daughter into the young man's keeping. It was not only that he was different in outward manner and speech — a radical trans- formation had taken place in the inner being. Dr. Watson had been a strong, kind friend, yet neither out of his own experience nor through his belief in the power of God to rescue the tempted was he able to help Stephen in those times when the old habits of idleness and dissipation threat- ened to resume their sway and to drag him down. Try as he would, Stephen could never fully adopt the doctor's sceptical views. That which upheld John and made him hold to his ideas of right under the fire of scorn and persecution, that which had transformed Dean Wilson from a reck- less, ungodly young man into an earnest Christian endeavorer, working and studying with the Chris- tian ministry in view, and that which could make of the scoffing Tom Munson a leader in the Chris- tian endeavor movement in Clayborne, must be something more than a delusion. Curiosity to see how Tom managed things led him to accept the invitation to attend the meetings of the soci- ^fe.a»^a^4^yjggiEqBIIB^wf;g 306 MEMORIAL STONES. I I ety of which Tom was the i)rcsidcnt ; then a real interest followed, and now for two years Ckiy- borne had had no more earnest Christian or zeal- ous church-worker than young Dr. Heckman. Thinking of all these things, John forgot that they would be waiting for him at home. Nowa- days they oftener went to Clayborne by rail, but John owned a fine horse, and frequently indulgcfi his fancy for driving. Dr. Stephen and his wife had already arrived by train when he reached the house. Frank took his horse to the stable, say- ing — "Hurry up; supper is almost ready." Beth was in the kitchen, busy with the puffs that were John's favorites. He stopped to say to her — •' Well, Beth, the long pull is ended ; we are free from debt." The girl drew a long breath, and then said, with relief in her tones — *' I begin to feel as if we had got there. But, John, do go and brush off the dust and get ready for tea. We will talk it all over by and by." This she added as John seemed inclined to lin- ger for a talk, and, thus admonished, he went off to his room to make some changes in his dress in honor of Beth's supper. lUit the puffs which she had mixed with much care, and which were coming u[) beautifully in the Kcorciung oven, aiul which, to be ctijoyed, should n a real s Cl:;y- or zeai- m. ^ot that Nowa- rail, but ndulgcf! lis wife lied the dIc, say- ' Beth fs that say to we are ;n said, ;. But, ;t ready id by." to lin- irent off dress in h much y in the , should MEMORIAL STONES. 307 be eaten as soon as balked, were cold and heavy before all were ready to sit down to supper. After taking care of the horse, Frank put his head in at the door, saying — " I'll run down to the post-office before supper. Won't I have time.? " and was off without hearing Beth's reply to the effect that he would have to hurry. In a few moments he came back, usher- ing in at the side-door a stranger, a tall, broad- shouldered man, bronzed and bearded, and well dressed, saying, by way of introduction — "This gentleman wishes to see Mrs. Heckman." "You wish to see my mother, I presume," said Beth, turning to the stranger, adding — "I will call her." "If you please — but wait. Is your mother quite well.? Can she bear anything sudden.?" Then as the color faded out of Beth's face, he added, quickly — "Don't be frightened. Beth, don't you know me ? " Beth stood still, looking at the stranger, her thoughts all in a whirl. Then, suddenly, she .said — "I don't know you; but can you be Joe.?" "Yes; I am Joe, and you are my little sister," and he took the girl in his arms, repeating — " My little sister!" Then, releasing her, he said — "You will know best how to tell mother." iUit she did not know at all " How to tell 308 MEMORIAL STONES. II'.! mother." Going into the parlor, where Mn;. lleckman sat talking with Dr. Stephen and Lizzie, she said — "Well, mother, we shall have to make room for another at the table. Some one has come by the Lincoln train." Beth thought she kept her voice steady, but, in spite of her effort, there was a quiver of joy in it, which her mother detected at once. And Ste- phen, too, noticed it, though his thought was not the same as the mother's. ♦'I suppose it is Dean .''" he said, laughing. " No, it is not Dean ; and you will never guess who it is. Mother, can you.^*" "It is Joe," interrupted Mrs. Heckman. "Well, yes; it is Joe." Mrs. Heckman arose, took a step or two toward the dining-room, swayed, and would have fallen had not Stephen caught her in his arms. Why try to tell it ? Joe had come home ; and they were all in a state of excitement, and the mother quite overcome ; and that is all there is to the story. It was a lon^ time before they were calm enough to think of supper; but at last Beth came down to earth, and announced that they would have to eat bread, for the puffs were quite ruined. It was explained to Joe that this was an anniver- sary and then they sat down, a plate having been set for Joe beside his mother. Mrs. Heckman MEMORIAL STONES. 309 ; Mn;. Lizzie, I make ne has y, but, joy in id Ste- ^as not r guess found under her plate the receipt in full from Colonel Parson's lawyer, and Beth opened a queer- shaped package, to find a paper-weight composed of twelve geological specimens fastened together in the form of a rude monument. "Memorial stones!" she exclaimed; then more explanations were given, until Joe began to under- stand the situation. Presently it fell tc Stephen to cut the birthday cake. In the centre, under the frosting, was hidden a small, square box directed to "John Heckman." That young man was quite taken by surprise. The box contained a handsome gold watch, with a note which was as follows — or two d have ms. le ; and md the lere is "The Israelites set up stones of memorial — twelve of them; we have preferred to let the twelve figures on the dial remind you of our joyful deliverance and our entrance into Canaan. Your friends, Mother, Stkphen, Lizzie, Beih, Frank, Ji.mmik, Dr. W.\i>,(j.\.'' calm h came would ruined, ianniver- g been eckman What a happy evening it was ! Joe looked on curiously, not more than half understanding these brothers and sisters, who seemed almost like strangers. Slowly he was gathering into his mind all that this anniversary, with its business tran- saction and its gifts, meant to the family ; and his heart warmed toward the young brother who had T ' ;/ • •I ' _i™i"'M'»%'» 3i<^ MEM()KIAL STONES. I I SO bravely borne the burden and so courageously led them out of their difficulties. In all the time of his absence the family had heard from Joe but rarely. At long intervals he had written to say that he was alive and might some day come back ; but he never gave them any address; so they never wrote to him, and dur- ing the last four or five years they had not heard from him at all. Once, when he had been gone about six years, he heard from home in a curious way. In the course of a long journey Colonel Parsons came to a mining town, where he had to wait an hour or more for a train. At the station he was seen and recognized by Joe Heckman, himself quite safe from recognition ; six years had changed the slender boy into a full-grown, bearded man, whom even his mother would scarcely have known as her son. He managed to get into conversation with the colonel, and to glean some items of information about the affairs at West Hill. He threw the colonel quite off the track by remarking — "Yes, I lived there a while. I worked a spell for Crawford on the east side ; you wouldn't remember me, of course, but I knew you. If you should see Crawford, just tell him that Addison is all right and doing a good job. Yes, I know most of the folks by sight. Are the Heckmans there yet .'' " MKMOKIAI. STON'KS. 311 "•The Heckmans ? Oh, they are there ; at least, one of the boys is running the farm ; they are up to theii ears in debt — owe me a thousand dollars that I'll be bound they'll never pay. But they show up well ; make pretences of being some- body. Poor lot. Steve got disgusted with the way things were going and left. The fact is, I don't know much about them. There was another boy, but he ran off long ago. I tried to help John along ; but he wouldn't be helped, and since that I have let them alone." The train was in, and Colonel Parsons took his seat ; then, glancing out of the car-window, watched the young man as he walked across the platform and disappeared around the comer of the building. All at once, something in the poise of the head and the build of the shoulders reminded him of his old neighbor, Joe's father ; and he said suddenly to himself — '* I declare, I believe f have been talking to Joe Heckman ! " Hut the train was flying, and the colonel dis- missed the subject with a little laugh and the thought — "Well, I guess I didn't give him a very good opinion of his folks." And so it was that when Joe made his unex- pected appearance at West Hill it would be diffi- cult to say which was the more surprised, himself or his family. He expected to find them bur- dened with debt, and living in a very poor " ^>^ 711 tSTti ■^'ii'?5^^^ Tf'.:^. • • 312 MEMORIAL S'lOXES. ii way, with tumble-down buildings and dilapidated fences. He was not prepared for the air of com- fort, or the neat and well-kept appearance of the farm. And withal, he was a little disappointed as well as surprised. His had not been fruitless toil ; and he had come home with the intention, as he said, "of setting the family up in the world," and here they were already "set up." The debt was paid ; they were all doing well ; the neighborhood was prosperous, growing rapidly into a village ; what was left for him to do ? However, he soon rallied from the momentary disappointment, realizing that it was an unworthy thought, and was able heartily to congratulate them all. Alone with his mother, he said — "I meant to buy my forgiveness and make amends for all the past, and now I find everything is done. I threw away my chance to do a grand thing, and John picked it up. I am glad for him. But that fancy about memorial stones gives me an idea; I'll see lo-morrow if I can work it out." Coming home from Claybornc the next day, he handed John a ])ackage, with the remark — "Here, my boy, take this as my sluue in the birthday present, I suppose they didn't run their memorial stones through a smt-lter ; but this rep- resents twelve gold nuggets, and you jnay build a monument to suit your own ideas." ,-:b MEMORIAL STOyKS. 313 " You may be sure ho will build it of law books," exclaimed Beth. "And so that is the way the wind blows," returned Joe. "If only Colonel Parsons could be won over," said Beth, with a little sigh, when at last she and John had found a chance to talk it over. "You know," returned John, with a twinkle in his eyes, "that there were tribes to be driven out and cities to be taken after they reached Canaan. Colonel Parsons may be our Jericho." "By faith the walls of Jericho fell down," quoted Beth. " After they were compassed about seven days,'' was John's suggestive quotation as a rejoinder. "Yes, with trumpets." She spoke slowly, as if studying a point ; " I wonder what our trumpets are." Mi 3H JERICHO. CHAPTER XXVI. JERICHO. "Shout; for the Lord hath given you the city." DURING all these years Colonel Parsons had never let slip an opportunity to annoy his youn^ neighbor; and when John had sought a reconciliation on one or two occasionr, he had been rudely repulsed; and T by chance the;- fi i the colonel never returned John's court' ' us sal- utation, nor, indeed, appeared to recogai his existence. Mrs. Parsons did not share her hus- band'? ill feeling toward the Heckmans, though all friendly intercourse between the families had ceased. Once she said to Beth — "My child, I am deeply grieved over this trouble. It has made the colonel rn«;re bitter thnn ever toward the yoiuig people, and rnore opposed to their wo "k in neiglibc^rhnod reform. You know he neve' took much interest in the young folks until he got iip that liking for John ; JERICHO. 3'5 and T was glad of that notion, for I thought '.t was good for him to have John's hopes and plans and queer ideas to think about ; and he actually took to reading the Bible, too ! Of course, I do not blame your brother for standing by his principles, but I wish it needn't have happened. I have sometimes thought that it would have been better if John had made some excuse for not selling the trees, and not come right out in opposition to the colonel's business," "But, Mrs. Parsons, he couldn't have done that. In the first place, it wouldn't have been like John; and then, you see, we might have an opportunity to sell to some one else ; then an excuse would have had to be studied up for selling. Don't you see there might be no end of complications.^" "Oh, yes, the straightforward way is the best always, of course ; though it sometimes seems to lead us into a wilderness of difficulty. I would like to have you come and see me — run in and out as you have been used to doing- — but I know it would not be pleasant for either of us, the colonel is so dreadfully set in his prejudices. [ hope the feeling he now has will wear off in time ; but, Beth, remember that I am your friend and will always be ready to help you or John, if I have an opportunity. I shall miss you, my dear." Mrs. Parsons' life had been wonderfully ))right- ened by the unwonted intercourse with her young ■m -, — ■>..... i-TUT: 316 JERICHO. neighbors, which had been brought about by the colonel's sudden whim, and which had been so abruptly cut off because of his unreasonable enmity. She had grown to look for Beth's com- ing; and she had become interested in the girl's schemes and ambitions to a remarkable degree for one accustomed to live much within herself. She missed it all, and had waited through these months and years, hoping something would occur to soften the colonel's feelings and take away the bitterness. But instead, he piled his grievances higher as time went on. The year before John was twenty-one, a manufacturing company at Lin- coln sent up an agent to purchase those oaks that were the cause of the unfortunate estrangement. The offer was very liberal, and the Heckmans accepted it promptly. Nothing is more certain than that in a country neighborhood or in a vil- lage (for such West Hill was now becoming), a knowledge of a person's business transactions is considered public property, to be talked over and gossiped about ; hence the matter was not long in coming to Colonel Parsons' ears, and he not know- ing that the money received from the sale was safely deposited awaiting the day of settlement, as agreed upon between him and John, saw only another evidence of an intention on the part of his debtors never to pay the debt. There had been other matters in the neighbor JEKICIIO, 317 :hb(n- hood which had not been pleasing to Mr. Parsons. When Mr. Howland, in the depths of the night- watch, had listened to the tender, pleading voices of his dead children, to the earnest appeal of his only living child, to the promptings of the Spirit of God, and had resolved that he would give to his boy a father of whom he need not be ashamed, and when he had proceeded to carry out his resolve, the colonel was more than surprised ; he ' felt as though he had received a personal affront. He had been one of Mr. Howland's strongest sup- porters, signing the petition for the license and using his influence to induce others to sign it. Personally, Colonel Parsons had no political ambi- tions ; but he was interested in politics, and held the opinion that he controlled the vote of West Hill, and it was well understood that he controlled it for the saloon. With the saloon abolished where would be the petty power that he had enjoyed .<* Finding Mr. Howland determined to close out the business., he tried to buy him out; failing in this, he resolved to set up a new saloon, and forthwith applied for a license. He had suc- ceeded in getting the required number of names upon his petition, though he was not very proud of some of them. To his great astonishment his petition was rejected. There were two or three causes which led to this result, so gratifying to the majority of the people of West Hill, though 3i« JERICHO. very unexpected and displeasing to the petitioner himself. One member of the board had long car- ried a personal grievance against Colonel Parsons, and here was an opportunity for revenge. A pro- test against the granting of license at West Hill, bearing numerous signatures, had been presented ; yet it is quite probable that this might have been disregarded but for the added weight of Commis- sioner Hardin's grudge. Upon such matters as the indulgence of* a personal pique do important interests turn. The third member of the board had, by dint of great effort, been elected by the no-license party. It would be interesting to begin at that Fourth of July with its "New Declaration of Independence," and to trace the steps that had led up to this partial victory of the temperance people of the township of Clayborne, end to note how the influence of the Temperance League had spread and been felt in remote neigh- borhoods ; but all this can only be hinted at in this chronicle. When Colonel I'arsons found him- self thwarted in his schemes, he was not slow to locate the blame. He declared angrily — *• It is all John Heckman's doings. He is the most mischievous person in the community." "Seems to me," remarked Mrs. Parsons, "that you are giving that young man credit for a great deal of influence ; why, he is only a boy and a very quiet one ; surely he can have very little JERICITO. 319 political influence, and 1 suppose it is politics that decides such matters." "All the same, the young upstart has set going the revolution that is overturning things here on the Hill. The young folks all follow him like a flock of sheep, and some of the older men act about as silly and senseless." "But what you call a revolution seems to be in some respects a good thing ; I am sure the boys are not nearly so lawless as they used to be. It is a good while since you have had any trouble on account of their stealing the fruit." "Nonsense, wife! You women imagine that because two or three young fellows have taken to preaching, the whole neighborhood must be get- ting pious. You needn't take any stock in it. It is all just a cloak to cover up wickedness." "I don't see any necessity for a cloak," replied Mrs. Parsons ; '* I am sure the evil-disposed people around here have always got along and been very comfortable without any such covering. Why should they take to wearing a cloak, which, if worn for the purpose you hint at, must be very ill-fitting and uncomfortable?" Secretly, Mrs. Parsons was very glad of her husband's disappointment, though she knew that things might run with considerable friction for a time. The teacher whom Colonel I'aisons engaged for '''-,-> ^^ 320 JERICHO. ,1 ■h:-:t the year following his election as trustee proved a failure, and the following year the old trustee was re-elected ; and to the gratification of the boys and girls, Mr. Heckman was again installed as principal, a position that he held for two years. When the plans for building a chapel were divulged, there was a lively interest manifested. Only a few opposed the plan ; for the most part, the people were very liberal in giving money, labor and materials. Mr. Scott was the strong and ready helper of those who had undertaken to carry the scheme through. "Capital!" he exclaimed, when Dean and John went to talk it over with him. "Just go ahead! I'll tell you, boys, what I'll do; you know that three-cornered lot where the arm of the ravine branches off.? It is the prettiest spot anywhere around. I used to think I would build a house there some day ; but I guess the old homestead where my mother lived is a good enough spot for me to live and die in, and I'll give you young folks that corner for the Lord's house I I hope it will be counted in on my reckoning; but I don't know — I suppose if I give it just to get ahead of I^arsons, it won't count for much!" The profits of Jimmie How- iand's first business venture went into the build- ing, and the spirit of sacrifice took hold of the hearts of young and old, so that the work moved [)vccl n jc was J boys istallod )r two 1 were ifested. 5t part, money, strong ertaken lI!" he talk it ill you, ornercd )ff ? It used to y; but r lived die in, for the in on 50 if I won't How- build- of the moved Till'. CII.VI'KL. J I ? t) If TERTCHO. 321 If rapidly forward. It is probable that the school building would have been re-opened, so strongly was the public sentiment setting that way; but having once started on that line, the people deter- mined to go forward and build. Colonel Parsons stood almost alone in his opposition, and though three years had passed since the building was fin- ished and dedicated to the service of education and religion, he had never crossed its threshold. Mrs. Parsons had smuggled in a generous con- tribution toward the building fund, and often attended the services held in the completed edi- fice, which was at once an ornament and a con- venience to the neighborhood. Though John Heckman was popular among his neighbors and in the school, and a leader of the young people, yet Colonel Parsons succeeded in making things very uncomfortable for him; and he often found his plans thwarted and his influ- ence undermined by this implacable enemy. It was no wonder that with their way of looking at things John and Beth felt that here was a "Jeri- cho," walled about so tl v their love and friend- ship and neighborly kindnesses — and more than these, including them all, Christ — found no way of entrance. That wall of enmity and opposition stood in the way of their further progress, and seemed impregnable ; yet, as Beth had quoted, "By faith the walls of Jericho fell down," and ^^mgnj 322 JERICHO. ■f J ! '^: now these young workers began in earnest to compass the city about with j t. Colonel Parsons received a note from his law- yer that his claim against the Heckmans had been paid in full and the funds deposited to his order. This was, as Lawyer Judkins had predicted, a sur- prise to the colonel, but a very gratifying one. "Now, wife," he said, "we ought to have a jol- lification of some sort. Shall we go on a journey, or give a party.-* I suppose you would like to have new carpets and new parlor furniture, eh } " "I will tell you what I v -Ud like to do — invite Mrs. Heckman and h mily to tea, and ask the Wilsons and the Davises. It is a long time since we had a tea-party." The boldness of this proposition fairly took away the colonel's breath. As soon as he could master himself, he said — "You are the mistress of the house — you can invite whom you please, and feast them as you like; but I shall be away the day the Heckmans are in ited here ! " " Oh, of course, if you do not wish to entertain them, that ends it. But it really seems to me that there is no occasion for keeping up an ill feel- ing any longer. The Heckmans are now free from any obligation to you, and it might be just as well to secure their friendship. You can never tell what a friend may be worth y JF.KICUO, 323 Id cr " We have got along without them for quite a spell, and I guess we can stand it a while longer," said the colonel, a little gruffly. "Perhaps we can, but you have held that old grudge long enough. It makes us all uncomforta- ble ; and now you have your money, you can afford to be generous and overlook the whole mat- ter, even supposing John to have been to blame." "I confess I never looked for getting a cent without a process of law ; but I do not see why, because people have paid their honest debts, they should be at once feasted and taken up for bosom friends." Then, noticing that his wife's eyes were filling with tears, he added — "Now, wife, I'll give you half this money out and out to do what you please with, if you will only rest satisfied with things as they are. In fact, I'll promise to do anything else you are a mind to ask." Mrs. Parsons looked up quickly, and seemed about to speak, then checked herself, and with a weary sigh resumed the work she had dropped during the conversation. "What is it .'' " said the colonel, more gently than was his wont. "You were going to ask something.''" "It is nothing." "But it is something! You were going to ask something, and you know I promised," insisted the colonel. 324 JERICHO. "Well, I can tell you what came into my mind, though I will not ask you to keep your promise ; for perhaps this would be as distasteful as mak- ing up with the Hcckmans. I was wishing you would so far lay aside your prejudices as to go to the chapel with me sometimes. It would not be much to do, and I think you would enjoy things that are held there. And it would be pleasant for me to have my husband go with me sometimes," Some way, just at that moment the worn look on his wife's face struck the colonel. He was fond of his wife, and had ivjver thought how she cared about his not going with her. The neighbors would think it queer if he should take to church-going — but what did he care for the neighbors ? They might think what they I)leased ; he had promised ; and if this thing would please his wife and she would drop the Ileckman question, he would go for once, any way. Ever since the chapel was opened the Chris, tian luideavor Society had maintained a Sunday evening service. It was not their regular society prayer-meeting ; that was held on Friday evening. The Sunday evening meeting was of a varied character. Sometimes the pastors of Clayborne came out to jireach ; sometimes they held a mis- sionary meeting, a tem[)erance concert, and then again a lUble reading. The service was always JERICHO. 325 well attended, whatever mio^ht be its nature. On [hat particular evening when Colonel Parsons made his first appearance in the chapel, Dean Wilson was the leader in a Bible reading. The subject was, '«What We Owe to the Lord." I presume that during the days when the great company of Israelites compassed the city in silence, the dwellers in that walled city must have heard the sound of trumpets, though giving no sign that they heard. Colonel Parsons appeared indifferent as usual, but one verse of that Bible reading reached his ears and found lodgment in his heart — "Unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required," were the words that, read out in a clear voice, seemed meant for the man who, intrenched in his pride and his stub- bornness, never asked what was "required," but, "what did Colonel Parsons will to do.?" Said the leader — "To some of us God has given the strength of youth, the vigor of man- hood; to some, long years and wide experience; to some, wealth; to some, opportunities for study. iJoes our active labor correspond to our sirrngth and vigor; our record of work h^ft behind to our long years.? Do our deposits in the treasury of. the Lord correspond with our deposits in the . banks.? Are we making our treasures of knowl- edge tell for the advancement of the kingdom.?" The words were very simple, but Colonel Parson;; 326 jF.nirno. , II felt that for his lengthened life he had given no return, for his wealth hoarded up in bonds and bank stocks he had paid no dividend. It was not the only time he attended the Sun- day evening service. ^ deed, it came to be quite the common occurrence for him to accompany his wife ; but, so far as any one knew, he went only to please her. Sometimes he made a sneering remark, which led her to wonder if it would not have been better to have let things go on as they were. And so weeks went by, John and l^'ih sometimes wondering when the crisis would come, when they would hear the command to shout. One dark, rainy November evening they were returning from the evening service. Neither Mr. Parsons nor his wife had been present, which was not strange, considering the weather. John was swinging a lantern, and Beth, with a waterproof wrapped about her, was picking her way as best she could amid the puddles of mud and water that the light revealed. As they passed the colonel's house, they noticed a light in the carriage-barn, and then heard a voice, which they at once recog- nized as the colonel's '•Hullo, there! Is it any one who can drive this horse down after Dr. Watson ? My wife is sick — dying, I am afraid — and Patrick is away." Handing Hetli his lantern, John sprung across ihe stri'cl, and, without a word after his answer- JERICHO. 327 ing shout, "Yes, I'll go!" he slipped the traces over the hooks, buckled the reins, and springing into the carriage, took from the colonel's hand the lantern with its reflector, and, fastening it upon the dash-board, drove off in the rain and darkness. When Beth told her story at home, Mrs. Heck- man, with Joe as an escort, went at once to the bedside of the sick woman. In an incredibly short time Dr. Stephen entered. He was greeted with the colonel's not very cordial " I expected Dr. Watson." "Yes, sir; and he will be here soon, I hope. He was out of town, coming in from the North at twelve, and Dr. Elmer is also away. So John drove to the station to bring Dr. Watson up with- out delay as soon as the train comes in, and I came to tell you and to do what I can in the meantime — that is, if you will let me." As he explained, he was rapidly divesting himself of his wet wraps and warming his benumbed fingers at the fire that was glowing in the dining-room stove. "The doctor cannot get here before one o'clock, and it is now half-past ten." And he stood awaiting the colonel's commands, quiet, dig- nified, yet with a keen look in his eyes and an alert expression on his face, which, more than anything else, led his host to say — "Well, I suppose you may as well see if you can do anything to relieve her. She will die if !^. 328 JERICHO. .-i something is not done." And rather ungra- ciously he led the way to the sick-room. The train was late that night, and it was nearly two o'clock when John and Dr. Watson arrived. At first, in response to John's hurried statement of the case. Dr. Watson declared he would not go, that Dr. Stephen was equal to almost any emerg- ency. But, upon being told that very likely the colonel would refuse to accept the services of Stephen, he consented to go. In a pouring rain they drove up the hill, the doctor grumbling all the way over the stupidity and obstinacy of people in general and of Colonel Parsons in particular. They found the patient resting quietly, having had no return of the paroxysms for an hour, and, after listening to Dr. Stephen's account, the elder physician, turning to Colonel I'arsons, said, in his gruffest tone — •• Parsons, you owe that young fel- low a debt of gratitude. I think I'll lie down and leave him to watch, and we will go home together by daylight." And then they persuaded the excited husband to try to get some rest. So it was Mrs. Ileckman and her son who watched by the sick woman through the slowly pass- ing hours. With the breaking day the patient opened her eyes, and, recognizing Mrs. Ileckman bending over her, she whispered faintly- •* I have been very sick. But this must have been (lod's way." JERICHO. 329 Two clays later, as she lay back upon her pillow, pale but restful, and with a happy light in her eyes, the colonel said — "Well, wife, your tea- party wasn't just as you planned it, but it was a success. I gaess we have had all the Heckmans here, if not all together." Then, as she turned a questioning glance toward him, he added — "Yes; it is all right. I told John this morning that I ; had been an old fool, and that after this there would always be room on the road I travel for two ' people with opinions. The fact is, a man with an '■ opinion is apt to want the whole road. I ain't converted yet to John's way of thinking, but I don't know — may be I'll get there. I tell you, wife, when you lay so sick I was almost ready to promise anything." Then he went hurriedly out as if he were ashamed of this unwonted manner of speech, but really he wanted to get away from that ever- recurring Bible verse— "Unto whomsoever much is given of him shall be much required." Th^ ivy 'ife. whom, in his rough fashion, he loved, had hccn given back to hir^ Kow should he pay tlic debt ? 330 COLONEL PARSONS SUMS UP THE CASE. CHAPTER XXVII. COLOXEL PARSONS SUMS UP THE CASE. " Who is like unto thee, O people saved by the Lord? I WONDER at your choice of the law as a pro- fession," said Joseph Heckman, after listen- ing to John's plans. " I should have guessed that you would have chosen to study theology. That seems more in your line." "That is where you are mistaken. My tastes run in the line of law and politics. A preacher of the gospel I mean to be always and everywhere; but I do not think I am called to the ministry. I believe that God calls men to their work, what- ever it ma}/' be, just as truly as He calls them to the ministry. The world needs Christian law- yers — men who will dare to labor for the enact- ment and execution of laws founded upon the word of God ; and it seems to me that at the pres- ent time, with the crisis that is at hand in the fight against the enemies that threatei to under COLON'F.L TWRSONS SUMS VV THE CASE. 33 1 mine and overthrow our institutions, tlicre is an imperative need, a eall, for men of eonscience and courage to step to the front." "But does not the same call come to ministers; and would you not then have greater opportuni- ties, and more power to influence and accomplish more of the work of saving souls, vvhich I believe you Christians put first as to importance ? " "That is a work that, I believe, calls for the exercise of talents that I do not possess ; and " — here John hesitated for a moment, then went on in a tone which was an apology for talking about himself — "if as a lawyer, and if in God's way and time it might come to me to be a law-maker I could do even a little toward putting away an evil that every year brings thousands upon thou- sands to hopeless graves, and so clear the way for those whose work it is to save and bring into the light individual souls, shall I not be doing a good work and rendering acceptable service to God and humanity? There is a call for consecrated talent and consecrated service in other lines than in the gospel ministry. Tf I were making, as I think some do, a compromise with conscience, putting this promise of faithful Christian work in place of obedience to the command to preach the word, mother's fears would very likely be realized. She thinks the pathway of those in the legal jirofes- sion peculiarly beset with temptation, liut if in 332 COLONEL PARSONS SUMS UP THE CASE. t; , I: this the 'pillar cf fire' goes before, I shall know that I am in the right ])ath, and that is enough for me to know." "It is all right," said Joe, laughing a little; "you may be whatever you please, but you'll be a preacher to the end of your days. I am willing you should study law ; but I did not exactly see how with your notions, which have cropped out considerably in the little time I have been at home, you could decide to do it. But I under- stand; you mean to sanctify the profession." "I mean to consecrate everything to the serv- ice of God and humanity," said John, earnestly. Joseph Hcckman did not more than half com- prehend this young brother ; but the more he learned of the history of the past five years, and the more he saw of the results of the labor with which these years had been filled, the more he respected and admired John. He could not at all enter into and appreciate the motives that had prompted John, or the principles by which he had been guided and upheld ; yet in the few weeks of his intercourse with the family at home he hatl come to honor and respect the Christian religion as never before. In family council it had been decided that John should yield his place as head of the home affairs to Joe, and should enter a law school in the city. At first it seemed us if West 11 ill could know COLONF.r. PARSONS SUMS UP THE CASE. 333 not spare John Hcckman. as if the Hcckman household could not spare him. But John said — "My work here is done. I thought I was going to live on here and enjoy the Canaan ; but there seems to be a new life opening before me, and I must listen to the summons." It was not easy to leave the home and neigh- borhood that had grown so dear through trials endured and victories gained — the well-stocked farm with the orderly barns ; the house with its pleasant rooms and inside comfort as well as out- side neatness ; the chapel, the school, the friends of the Sunday School, the Christian Endeavor Society and the C. L. S. C. ; all his familiar round of work must be left behind just when there had been lifted from his shoulders the bur- den that had rested there for years. As he was to enter upon his studies at once, he had little time even for farewell calls. Perhaps it was not surprising that he lingered longest at Mame Howard's. Ever since that winter night when he had taken Clarence home, Mame had turned to John for help, which he was only too glad to give. As they stood together in the hall, saying a few last words, Mame, with quivering voice, said — "John, you will look after Clarence, will you not.^ I do not think he is doing as well as he ought, and since Jack Swan went to the city 1 am 334 rOI.ONEL PARSONS SUMS UP TTIE CASE. more troubled than before. Sometimes I think that Satan has made a special agent of Jack to ruin my brother. I know it is asking a great deal of you ; you will be so busy ; yet " — **Mame" — John spoke quickly, as the girl hes- itated for a moment — "you could not ask too much of me. I will do all I can to save Clarence. And you will be praying for us both .-*" It was not an easy burden that John had thus assumed at the outset of his new life. To look after and try to lead back to the right paths one so seemingly determined to go astray required a great outlay of time, stiength and patience, and the exercise of a strong faith in the power of God to save. It called for many a long, weary search in places not pleasant for John Heckman to enter, for many hours of watching, for much patient waiting, while the answer to earnest prayer seemed afar off. And so, filled with study and with labor, not only for Mame's brother, but for others whose steps tended downward, John Hcckman's days were passed until he had completed the course of study marked out for himself and had passed his examinations. And then ? ^p 'T' "^ "^ ^^ ^^ The other day, just when the world was bright and fragrant with the June roses, when the mead- COLONEL PARSONS SUMS IT THE CASE. 335 ows ^cre all dotted with the daisies, and the red strawberries were peeping out from under the green leaves, when the bobolinks were pouring out melody, and the bluebirds and the yellow- birds were making dashes of color through the air, Mrs. Heckman, with a few guests, sat upon the piazza, which was Joe's addition to the old house. Out under the trees, swinging in the hammocks and sitting in garden chairs, there was a group of young people. Among the older ones Colonel Parsons was saying — "Well, now, I wouldn't have believed that such changes could come to a place inside of eight years! There's John a lawyer, admitted yester- day ! Well, I might have known it that day he came to talk about paying the debt. He knew then a lot more law than I did, and I have been litigating more or less for forty years. And the wedding is going to be in the fall.? Well, they say that John has been the making of Clarence, but I guess he and Mame will have to watch over the fellow a spell yet. There'll never be any safety for such as have the appetite fastened upon them until the saloon is ruled out of the country. Yes, I am made over! That's the greatest mir- acle of all. The days of miracles are not past, according to my way of thinking. And Dean Wilson a preacher and going to marry our Beth as soon as he gets through the seminary! And 2,^6 COLONHI. I'AKSOXS SUMS UP TIIK CASK. that is one thine: ^ came over to talk about ; I am going to give the setting-out ! No use to talk ; you have got Frank to push through his educa- tion, and \va} s enough for money ; and John has some up-hill work yet ; so I am going to set Dea and ]5eth up in life. And I shall do it hanc' somely, too. They tell me that Steve is doin wonders in the city, curing some old fellows tha never expected to be cured. He has got a knacl tor doctoring ; I knew that ever since I caug'^ him dissecting a calf one day down in the Ict, though I scolded him roundly for fooling away his time. Then when he fixed my wife up, that time he came without being sent for, he showed his skill finely. Joe seems to be turning out quite a farmer and business man generally, and the way he is taking hold of church affairs is wonderful. Well, I never expected to live to see a church organized here on the hill, and I never expected to belong to it. I tell you, it was a good day for us when John came home." "Yes," replied Mrs. ^To .man; "John did a good work here, but } asl reme^ ber that the new railroad has been .reat help to West Hill. And a great many things ha ' been done, which could never have been brought about but for that." "Well, that may be so; but I heard something the other day that brings John out ahead 1 • all COLONKL PARSONS SUMS UI' THE CASE. 337 that ! They say that one clay he was coming over from Lincohi in the stago, and a man who was a passenger complained of the hard ride over the hills, and John said there ought to be a railroad a Toss. The man said it would cost too much ; ^le grade would be too heavy, and any way they ould have to tunnel. But John had studied the ills pretty thoroughly, and he spoke up and said here was a way to get through ; then he went on, nd told how by running up south a way, there .s a pass. The man seemed to like to talk, and he drew John cnit. It seems he was one of the capitalists that went into the railroad company, and they do say that the road would never have been built if John hadn't given a hint of what was possible." At this they all laughed, and Beth, who had left the group under the trees and seated herself on the step at the colonel's feet, exclaimed — "We'd, yoj are making out quite a case for John." "He does not need an advocate," replied the colonel ; " his work tells." "I have sometimes wondered," said Mrs. Par- sons, "what could be the secret of John's life." "I can tell you," replied Beth; "he is con stantly turning aside to listen ! " And then a silence fell upon theia all. Canadian (Copyright Edition. SWEET CICELY; OR. JOSIAH ALLEN A.- A POLITICIAN. A. New Temperance Story, By JOSIAH ALLEN'S WIFE. 4 Work of Tlirillln:? [ntftresl! Over 100 IlIustrationR I Itenutifully Itonnd ! PRICE. SQUARE l2mo. CLOTH. EXTRA, $1.25 SO.WK OPINIONS OF '•JOSIAH ALLhLTS WIFR." The. Herald, New York : " Fler fun Is not far fetched hut easy and epontaneona. She is now witty, now pathetic, yet ever ^ilrilfood For human nature's daily food.' She li a woman, wit, philanthropist, and statesman all in one, and J 'prophesy' thai Sweet Cicely's Kentle, firm hand shall lead Josiah Allen's Wile ounranl luto iiteniry immortality WlIJiUM mUGWS, Wesley Kp.Il(IInf?s, Toronto. C. W. CoATEs, Montreal, Quo. S. F. IIuestis, Ilalifftjc, N.S THE INDIANS WHO ARE THEY? WHENCE CAME THEY? Tl^cir rQai^i^crs ai}d Clistorr^s. BY JOHN McLEAN, M.A., Ph.D. (ROUIN RlSTLKK) 351 PAGES, 23 ILLUSTRATIONS PRICE, Cloth, $1. PRESS NOTICES "Hisioriral. instructive and piM-nliarly interesting. 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