The Project Gutenberg eBook ofCaptain Pott's MinisterThis ebook is for the use of anyone anywhere in the United States and most other parts of the world at no cost and with almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included with this ebook or online atwww.gutenberg.org. If you are not located in the United States, you will have to check the laws of the country where you are located before using this eBook.Title: Captain Pott's MinisterAuthor: Francis L. CooperIllustrator: John GossRelease date: December 19, 2009 [eBook #30713]Language: EnglishCredits: Produced by Darleen Dove, Roger Frank and the OnlineDistributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK CAPTAIN POTT'S MINISTER ***
This ebook is for the use of anyone anywhere in the United States and most other parts of the world at no cost and with almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included with this ebook or online atwww.gutenberg.org. If you are not located in the United States, you will have to check the laws of the country where you are located before using this eBook.
Title: Captain Pott's MinisterAuthor: Francis L. CooperIllustrator: John GossRelease date: December 19, 2009 [eBook #30713]Language: EnglishCredits: Produced by Darleen Dove, Roger Frank and the OnlineDistributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net
Title: Captain Pott's Minister
Author: Francis L. CooperIllustrator: John Goss
Author: Francis L. Cooper
Illustrator: John Goss
Release date: December 19, 2009 [eBook #30713]
Language: English
Credits: Produced by Darleen Dove, Roger Frank and the OnlineDistributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net
*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK CAPTAIN POTT'S MINISTER ***
“Then, let me hear you say you love me!”––Page 335.
“Then, let me hear you say you love me!”––Page 335.
CAPTAIN POTT’S MINISTERByFRANCIS L. COOPERIllustrated ByJOHN GOSSBOSTONLOTHROP, LEE & SHEPARD CO.Copyright, 1922,By Lothrop, Lee & Shepard Co.All Rights ReservedCaptain Pott’s MinisterPrinted in U. S. A.Norwood PressBERWICK & SMITH CO.Norwood, Mass.To Betty
CAPTAIN POTT’S MINISTER
ByFRANCIS L. COOPER
Illustrated ByJOHN GOSS
BOSTONLOTHROP, LEE & SHEPARD CO.
Copyright, 1922,By Lothrop, Lee & Shepard Co.
All Rights Reserved
Captain Pott’s Minister
Printed in U. S. A.
Norwood PressBERWICK & SMITH CO.Norwood, Mass.
To Betty
Facing Page
9
CHAPTER I
The sound of voices suddenly arrested Captain Pott’s fork in mid-air, and the morsel of untasted salt-mackerel dangled uncertainly from the points of the dingy tines as he swung about to face the open door. Fork and mackerel fell to the floor as the seaman abruptly rose and stalked outside. The stern features of the rugged old face sagged with astonishment as he blinked at the small army of men swarming over his littered yard.
“’Mornin’, Cap’n,” cheerily called Hank Simpson, the village storekeeper, as he approached the irate man on the stoop.
Captain Pott was so completely jarred out of his usual complacency that for once he had nothing to say. He forgot even to swear. As the significance of the movements of the intruders suddenly dawned upon him he10mutely glared at Hank from beneath blackened and swollen eyelids.
“The women-folks said that you’d be wantin’ to make your place look peart, bein’ as the new minister is goin’ to stay here with you,” explained Hank, who was apparently the leader of the group. “When we men-folks heard that they was goin’ to clean up on the inside we thought it wouldn’t be no more than neighborly for us to pitch in and give you a hand with the outside.”
It was evident that the Captain did not relish the explanation, for he bristled with dangerous hostility as he took a step forward. But before he could refer Hank Simpson and his entire male army to a certain warm climate where he thought they might go with mutual advantage to himself and them, the morning breeze carried within earshot another note, higher in the scale, but unmistakable in significance. Silently the old man stood and dumbly watched a procession of petticoats march up to his gate and turn into the cinder path.
The female army took possession of the11house even as the men had taken possession of the yard, and he who had commanded mutinous crews on the briny deep fled and took refuge in the shade of a spreading elm near the well. Mrs. Eadie Beaver, the Captain’s next-door neighbor, approached him, requested that he pitch in and help, and then as quickly beat a retreat before the fierce glare. Hank Simpson once asked where they might burn the accumulated trash. The answer was unsatisfactory though forceful. Hank declared, “Them instructions is wuth a heap, Cap’n, but unless you’ve got a trap-door to them parts hereabout, I reckon we’ll have to do the crematin’ some other way.”
All the shutters on the old house were thrown wide open, and sunshine and air were allowed to penetrate corners where dust and cobwebs had held undisputed sway for years. Through the open windows came the sound of tack-hammer and puller, the moving of tables, sideboards, and chairs, and of every other article of furniture that was not actually built into the walls. From his place beneath the elm the Captain heard all these sounds, and12watched his old pieces being piled in a confused mass about the front yard. He was smoking incessantly, and swearing no less frequently.
From up the road came the sharp thud of beating hoofs. As horse and rider came into view he deliberately turned in the opposite direction. At the gate the rider drew rein and swung lithely to the ground. Many young admirers gathered quickly about the hitching-post, but the girl was too swift for them. With a friendly nod and smile she tossed her reins to a bashful youngster, and tripped up the path to where the seaman was standing.
The daughter of the senior Elder of the Little River church had always been fond of Captain Pott. When but an infant she had looked up into the clear blue eyes, adoration and love in her own. During childhood she had sat contentedly on his knee, or on a stool at his feet, listening with rapt interest to his stories of adventure by land and sea. The Captain had never been able to spin the wild yarns commonly known to be his habit when13Elizabeth Fox was his only audience. This was not due to any fear that she would have detected fraud in his impossible tales, but to the fact that he could not lie when the gaze of her big blue eyes was fastened on him.
To-day she edged near and waited for recognition. Locks of her fair hair, shaken loose by her ride, went straying bewitchingly over her face and forehead. The smile in her eyes crept down to the corners of her mouth as she sought the averted face above her. But all she could glimpse were violent motions of one ragged point of his moustache as it kept imperfect time with the unseen end which was being viciously chewed.
At length, the irresistible little attraction at his side proved too strong for the Captain’s stubbornness, and he looked down into her big blue eyes. At sight of his own blackened and swollen lids Elizabeth uttered a sharp cry. She took the roughened hand in hers and gave it a gentle squeeze. But her deep concern was quickly followed by a ripple of laughter. Hers was a laugh that was as good to see as to hear. The Captain smiled a wholly unintentional14smile and returned the pressure of her hand.
“Dear me, Uncle Josiah!” she exclaimed. “You look so like a terrible old storm-cloud! And those awful eyes! Where on earth did you get them?”
“Cal’late I feel a heap sight worse than I look, Beth. That set of females–––”
“But your black eyes!” she interrupted. “Who made them like that? Has some one been fighting you?”
“A feller handed ’em out to me last night, and I didn’t happen to be in a position to refuse ’em,” he replied, his grisly weather-browned features lighting up with a wry smile.
“Who dared strike you like that!”
“Now, don’t you worry, Beth. It ain’t as bad as it looks. You see, I was on my way over from the station last night from the late city train. When I got to the top of the hill I sot down for a spell, and while I was thinking, I looked down on my place. I see a light in the pantry window flicker up, die down, and then settle into a steady glow. I cal’lated it15must be pirates aboard the old craft, so I tore down the hill like blazes and busted into the house. Something struck me like a ton of brick, and I went down. I never see so many stars in all my life. The next thing I heard was a voice asking if I was hurt, and saying, ‘You’ll pardon me, sir.’” He chuckled with his first sign of mirth. “When I got my senses back there was a big feller sitting on me, nearly choking off my wind. He brung out one of them lightning-bug flashlights and turned it full on me, and then shouted like a maniac, ‘Why, it’s Cap’n Pott!’ ‘That’s me, but who in hell be you?’ I’m telling you just as I said it. He told me his name was Mack McGowan. Well, I was real glad to see him till he told me he was the new preacher and was going to live with me. Eadie Beaver had put him up in my house a week ago. I was mad as hops when he told me that, and I was going to throw him out, but,”––again he chuckled,––“well, I didn’t.”
“You thought caution was the better part of valor, is that it?” questioned Elizabeth.
“Something like that, Beth. I cal’late16we’d best say nothing to a soul about this. There’d be some who wouldn’t understand the details of the transaction. It was sort of confidential, as you might say, and there’d be them who’d blame Mr. McGowan for what he wa’n’t exactly responsible for.”
“Oh! Can’t I tell it? It’s really too good to keep. And then,” she added seriously, “people might think you have been really fighting. Don’t you think it would be best to tell what actually happened?”
“Mighty little any of them would care how I got my shine. But I cal’late it would be best for the parson if we’d keep it quiet.”
“Very well, Uncle Josiah. He is really going to live with you, isn’t he?”
“Don’t that look like it?” he asked, pointing his pipe-stem toward the house.
“But that is for you, too.”
“For me? You’d see that set of females getting down on their prayer-bones for an old sinner like me, except to ask God A’mighty to strike me dead. I ain’t that popular, not yet.”
“Captain Pott, I don’t like that one bit! I17canceled all my engagements in the city when Father told me the other day what the ladies of the church were planning to do for you. I did it just to help you, and now–––”
“There, there, Beth.” The old man reached out and touched her arm. “Excuse me, Beth. I feel like a cantankerous old sore-headed bear this morning. Of course, you come home to help me. I didn’t mean to hurt your feelings.”
“They mean well, too,” she loyally defended her neighbors.
“It was awful nice of you,” he replied, ignoring her reference to those at work in the house. “It’s worth it to put up with that whole pack inside just to have you come.”
“There, now, I have my good old Uncle back again.” She had always called him Uncle. “But tell me, why do you feel so badly?”
“About them in there?” He jerked his thumb toward the house.
“No-o. I think I can understand your feelings about them. I feel the same way sometimes. If I were the minister it would18take all of my religion during the week so I’d have nothing to preach on Sunday. But, there! Father must never hear of my saying that.”
“He ain’t likely to hear it from me.”
“Have you quarreled with Father again?” She stared apprehensively.
Denial sprang to the Captain’s lips, but when he looked into her eyes and saw there the expression of eagerness, he turned away.
“You have!” she averred. “I thought so! And after Father was so kind as to let you have the money to repair and paint your house!”
“Beth, we ain’t exactly quarreled. Leastwise, he ain’t,” he finished lamely.
“Uncle Josiah, why will you and Father never understand each other? Father is so kind and good, and so are you, and yet you are never able to agree. Why is it?” she implored.
“Too much alike, I cal’late. But honest, Beth, I ain’t got nothing particular against your father, and if I had I’d sink my feelings to Davy’s locker for your sake. The trouble19is, I’ve been expecting too much, and I ain’t got any right to ask your father to put himself out for an old hulk like me.”
“What sheer nonsense! I’ve half a mind to scold you. Of course, Father is willing to put himself out for you. Only this morning he said he would do all in his power to get a ship for you to command.”
“He’s said something like that to me, too, several times.”
“Then he’ll do it, if you will only be patient. Father always keeps his word.”
“You ain’t seen the new parson yet, have you?” asked the seaman, anxious to change a dangerous subject.
“How could I, when I’ve just reached home? Father tells me he is a real Prince Charming,” she finished, with a wicked little laugh.
“Humph!”
“Is he, really, Uncle Josiah?”
“He ain’t so bad on looks, if that’s what you’re driving at.”
“Father says he must be very strong, too.”
“I cal’late he ain’t lacking on that p’int,20neither,” agreed the Captain, blinking his swollen eyelids.
Elizabeth laughed heartily.
“Oh! By the way, what did you and your handsome minister do to Father last night?”
“Is your pa ailing, too?”
“He says he is quite lame, and when I asked him what the matter was, he only smiled, and told me to find out from you. Did your minister take him for a burglar, too?”
“Is that all your father said about it?”
“Yes, except that it was his own fault.”
Captain Pott chuckled. “I feared he wa’n’t going to see it that way last night. Eadie Beaver put the parson in here while I was in the city on a special trip. She came over the day I left last week, and said it would be real nice if he could live with me and eat with her. I told her I’d see about shipping a parson in my house, meaning I’d have nothing to do with him. Well, she went ahead and bunked him here, thinking I’d meant it was all right. It ’pears she done it against your father’s ideas, too. So he come over last night and tried to get Mr. McGowan to move out.21That made me madder than what Eadie had done, so I asked him right then if he was willing to stay. He said he was. Your pa got sore, and started real dignified to go home. The candle that Mr. McGowan had been using was on the floor, and your pa’s heel hit it. His cane went up and he went down. His high hat took a swim in a bucket of soapy water that the parson had been using to swab decks with.”
“Father is so very dignified! It must have been quite funny,” she commented, between paroxysms of laughter. “I wish I could have seen him!”
“’Twas a mite funny. I fished his beaver out the pail, and he made off holding it away from him like it was p’ison.”
Sudden seriousness on the part of the girl caused the Captain to look in the direction of her gaze. A tall young man had emerged from the back door of the house, pail in hand. He came hurriedly toward the well.
“That’s him,” confirmed the seaman in answer to a look from Elizabeth.
“He? A minister?”
22
“You see now why I wa’n’t strong enough to throw him out, don’t you? I cal’late Eadie Beaver would say the Lord took my strength away, but the Lord don’t need to give that feller a hand. He’s a hull host to himself.”
“He doesn’t look in the least like one,” declared Elizabeth.
“He doesn’t? Why, his arm is as big–––”
“No, no! I mean he doesn’t look like a minister.”
“He ain’t like none I ever see. He used to ship with me during the summer months when he was in school, and he’s man clean to the ground. I can’t see why in tarnation a big feller like him wants to take up such a sissy’s job of piloting a lot of women to heaven.”
“But it isn’t that kind of work, unless one makes it such,” she defended.
Mr. McGowan came to a halt on the opposite edge of the well-curbing. It was very unladylike, and Elizabeth knew it, but in spite of herself she continued to stare.
“Let me interduce you,” suggested the Captain.
23
“Thank you, I’d better run along and help those in the house.”
But she failed to suit the action to the word, and for the simple reason that the gaze of two perfectly normal young people became normally entangled. At length, a flood of color crept slowly into the girl’s cheeks, and she smiled.
“I––I beg your pardon for–––” began the minister.
“Here, young feller,” cut in the Captain as Mr. McGowan turned away, “I want to interduce you to my best friend, Miss Elizabeth Fox. This here is the new minister, Beth, Mack McGowan.”
Elizabeth cordially extended her hand. “I’ve been hearing very interesting stories about your prowess, Mr. McGowan.”
“I trust they are true.”
“Indeed, they are. Captain Pott told me.”
“I did make quite an impression on him,” replied Mr. McGowan as he looked at the seaman’s swollen eyelids. “I fear you’ve heard prejudiced accounts of me.”
“I don’t like them that way one bit,”24laughed Elizabeth, “even if a clergyman did do it.”
“See here! I ain’t going to stand this insinuating any longer,” interposed the Captain, his good humor fully restored. “I cal’late they might want a hand to help swab decks, so I’ll be going.”
“But, Uncle Josiah,–––”
“I know, Beth. I’ve been unpleasant, but being as you have come from the city to help me clean up the old craft, I’d otter show my appreciation by bossing the crew.”
He seized the pail from the not unwilling minister, filled it from the well-bucket, and went to the kitchen to report for duty.
“Do you think you’ll like Little River well enough to wish to remain?” asked Elizabeth.
“Yes, I think I shall. Mr. Simpson has been telling me about your brother, and about his far-sightedness in organizing the Athletic Club.”
“Did Mr. Simpson tell you how the club came to be formed in the first place?”
“No, but I think it a splendid idea. I hope the boys will let me be one of them.”
25
She eyed him curiously. “Father sees no good in the organization. I do. Most of the boys are Harold’s friends,––Harold is my brother,––but there are some who are not friendly to any one except the Innkeeper. I think you ought to know that the decent ones were one time in the Sunday school, but because some of yourchurch memberswould not try to understand them, they were forced to go to the Inn to set up their gymnasium.”
“Isn’t the Inn as good a place as any?”
“I prefer not to say. You’ll doubtless find that out for yourself.”
“That is one thing I intend to find out. I’ve an invitation to visit the rooms.”
“Indeed, so soon? And do you really mean to go?”
“Certainly. Why not?”
“I suppose there is no reason why you should not. But–––” she paused.
“I’ve heard that sort of statement several times to-day, and invariably with the little ‘but’ at the end. I’m curious to know why my presence at the Inn will cause any disturbance. Is that the inference?”
26
“Other ministers have tried to get hold of the boys, but they went at it wrong, and failed,” she said.
“I’ll try to go at the matter from the right end,” he replied, smiling.
“Will you go if you find yourself opposed?”
“I think I can interest the boys sufficiently to overcome any opposition from the Innkeeper, if that is what you mean.”
“What if the opposition comes from other sources?”
“From the members of the church?”
“Yes.”
“Why should they interfere with me?”
“But suppose they do?”
“I’ll go, anyway,” he answered decidedly.
“I’m glad to hear you say that, and I trust you will be able to help the members of the club,” she said quietly. “But, there! I really must be going. The ladies will think I have deserted them.”
Elizabeth smiled, and the minister followed the smile down from her eyes to the corners of her mouth. He made the mental observation27that he had never seen a more beautiful face. As she ran lightly up the path, he watched her, unmindful of several pairs of observing eyes focused knowingly in his direction.
When the day was over, and the furniture restored where the greater part belonged, the “Cleaning Bee” gradually broke up. Captain Pott declared to Elizabeth: “It wa’n’t half so bad a day as I cal’lated it would be, and it’s many a year since the old craft has looked so neat and togged up.”
That evening the Captain sat on his back doorstep, smoking his pipe, and thinking. He thought about the transformation wrought by the hand of women inside the house. He heaved a sigh, and thought of Clemmie Pipkin. If she were only able to forget all the past and consent to his oft-repeated proposal, but–––He had thought that all out before, and had brought all his persuasive powers against the citadel of her heart, but to no avail. A new light dawned upon him. Perhaps–––
Mr. McGowan came round the corner of the house. The Captain rose to meet him.
28
“Mack, how’d you like to go out to theJennie P.with me? That’s the name of my power-boat out there in the harbor. I thought it might be sort of restful to take a little cruise after this house-cleaning typhoon.”
“That’s a splendid idea, Cap’n. It will seem like old times to get aboard a vessel with you, though it is only a power-boat.”
“And, Mack, if there’s any time I can step in and help you pilot the salvation craft you’ve signed up with, just you let me know. It ain’t likely I’ll be much good to you, but–––”
The two men gripped hands. Little did they know that night as they peacefully sailed round the inlet just what the future was to demand in the way of a fulfilment of that promise.
29CHAPTER II
During the following weeks Mr. McGowan continued to grow in favor with the people of the church and village. Every Sunday the little chapel was crowded. His sermons, practical in thought, simple in language, and direct in delivery, were discussed about the tables of the country folk during Sunday dinner. The boys of the Athletic Club had received him cordially, not only because of his athletic ability, but because he had proved himself a good fellow. Elder Fox had strenuously opposed intimate relationships between the club and former ministers, but he made no attempt to interfere with Mr. McGowan, although he remained skeptical as to the wisdom of such secular tendencies. Sim Hicks, the keeper of the Inn, did not like the minister, and declared he would30oust him from the community if it were the last act of his life.
The one man who responded most naturally, whole-heartedly, and with simple loyalty to the power of the young man’s personality was Captain Josiah Pott. These two became close companions, and one evening Mrs. Eadie Beaver remarked concerning it:
“Ain’t you glad I got him in with you, Josiah?”
“Cal’late I am, Eadie. I was mad at first, but it’s beginning to mean a heap to me to have him here.”
“You always seemed so lonely when you’d come home, and I’d see your light in the setting-room window. It don’t seem that way now when I look across.”
“It is real nice and homelike having him in the house.”
“I’m glad it’s different for you,” declared his next-door neighbor as she looked about the room. “Things look real trim since the painters got through.”
The seaman’s face clouded. “It took a sight more than I thought it would, though,31and it ain’t going to be easy to pay back to Jim what I borrowed to do the repairing with.”
“Now, don’t you go to crossing any bridges till you get to ’em. The Lord will provide when the time comes.”
“Cal’late He might, but I’ve always noticed that it’s safer to help Him a mite on the perviding question.”
“Well, ain’t you helping? You’re doing the janitor work at the church, and that helps some. And, then, you’ll get a ship one of these days, mark my word. Mr. Fox said as much to Harry just the other day.”
“I ain’t so sure of that, Eadie,” remarked the Captain doubtfully. It was reasonably clear to his mind that the Elder had a fish to fry in thus starting reports of his willingness to secure a command for the Captain, and it was also reasonably clear that sooner or later he would catch a whiff of the frying fat which would indicate the breed of that fish. Till then, the Captain must be content to wait.
“By the way, Josiah, have you heard that the day has been all set for the installation32service?” asked Mrs. Beaver. “Mr. Fox is arranging it, and it’s going to be a great time.”
“What are they aiming to do?”
“Why, don’t you know? An installation service is a meeting where all the ministers of other towns come in and say nice things about our minister. Elder Fox says this one will be a special one, because some one has said that Mr. McGowan ain’t sound in church doctrine, being as he graduated from what is called a ‘New Theology’ school. Mr. Fox says he’s going to prove that ain’t so.”
“What’s all that got to do with him being a man?”
“I guess it ain’t got much to do with that. But you know there is a difference between being just a man and being a real minister.”
The Captain looked at her oddly. “And they’re planning to change him from one to the other, is that the idea?”
“No-o, not that exactly. But Mr. Fox thinks it would be a good time to show all the people that Mr. McGowan is orthodox. There will be ministers here from everywhere.33The Reverend Mr. Means is coming out from New York.”
“If they’re all like that feller, they’ll be a hot lot.”
“Josiah Pott! Haven’t you any respect for the cloth?”
“Not for the kind he wears, I ain’t. I’d say his cloth is a sort of sheep’s clothing, same as the Bible speaks of.”
“If you can’t talk decent I sha’n’t stay,” said Mrs. Beaver. She bridled past him, and on into her own yard.
What Mrs. Beaver had said concerning plans for the installation service was true. Elder Fox was carrying the full responsibility, for he wished to make this meeting one long to be remembered. He selected with great care those who were to sit on the council. The Reverend Mr. Means had been chosen for two reasons, first that he was a personal friend of the Elder, and second because his presence would add dignity to the occasion. It was even arranged that the city clergyman should be made moderator.
The eventful day arrived, and with it dignitaries34of city and countryside. It was a fearfully hot humid day in July, one of those days when to move about was torment, and to work was torture. Not a breath of air stirred. The clergymen were plainly enervated as they descended from the various vehicles which had conveyed them over from Little River. The Reverend Mr. Means mopped his face as the chauffeur assisted him from the Elder’s limousine. He greeted every one with deep sonorous tones. His manner was graciously condescending, but never once familiar. He made his way up the steps of the chapel with what was evidently meant for a majestic stride, but his heavy frame turned it into a decided waddle. He shook hands with a chosen few, all the while looking far above their heads as though his vision were not of this world.
The Captain watched the clergyman till he had disappeared behind the vestibule doors, and then remarked to Mrs. Beaver, “Them kind ain’t hard to sight. I could sight that feller a mile in the offin’, on a dark night, with my eyes shut! If Mack McGowan was that35kind, he’d get to stay here about twenty-four hours, and then he’d smell fire and brimstone.”
Mrs. Beaver surprised the seaman with a wry smile and vigorous nod.
Mr. McGowan arrived in due season under tow of the Elder. Mr. Fox led him before the clergyman from the city, who was lounging near an open window in the front of the auditorium.
“How do you do, Brother Fox!” boomed the deep voice of Mr. Means. “And is this the fortunate young man who has been called to this delightful little town?”
“Yes, this is Mr. McGowan. Mr. McGowan, this is the Reverend Mr. Means from New York City.”
The studied dignity of the visiting clergyman seemed to receive a decided shock as he rolled up out of his chair. He stood before the candidate to whom the Elder had introduced him and forgot to look at the ceiling. He had been caught off his guard, and through the momentary look of recognition there flitted across his flabby features an expression that was far from ecclesiastical. But36it was gone as quickly as it had come, and the Reverend Mr. Means was once more his complacent unperturbed self.
“Ho! So this is our candidate? So!” he exploded. “I am glad, Mr. McGowan, to shake your hand, and perhaps we’d better do it now, for we might not so desire when the grilling is over. So!” He laughed vociferously at his rude joke, and offered his fish-like palm.
“I’m glad to see you again,” lied the candidate, cheerfully.
“Again?” echoed the man, his mirth suddenly controlled by well-feigned astonishment. “Again?”
“Have you so soon forgotten how strongly you opposed me last year when I was up before the New York Presbytery for ordination?”
“So? Really so? Ah! Yes. I do remember, now that you call it to mind. That probably accounts for the familiarity of your face. But I did not oppose you for personal reasons, I assure you. It was because of your radical theological beliefs. I do not allow37personal reasons to enter into my religious activities.”
“But why should you have personal reasons for not wishing to see me ordained?”
“Just so! Just so! I did not mean to say I had any. But, as you doubtless remember, my brethren overruled my objections, and although I greatly regret the theological laxity of our Presbytery, I am willing to abide by the decision of the majority. So!”
He dismissed the two men with a wide gesture, and dropped back into his chair. When Mr. Fox and his charge were out of sight, Mr. Means motioned to Mr. Harry Beaver. He whispered in the little man’s ear, and indicated the groups of ministers gathered here and there about the room.
Harry Beaver had the misfortune to stutter, and in his eagerness to make himself understood he would support himself, stork-like, on one leg, and pump the other up and down with frantic jerks. Mr. Beaver’s services were invaluable in such cases as this when gossip was to be repeated, for his stuttering compelled him to leave just enough unsaid to38make his news the more startling. He was seen slowly pumping his way from group to group, and there followed in his wake the buzz of low whisperings.
When Elder Fox later saw these signs, he was greatly perturbed. He went directly to the Reverend Mr. Means and demanded particulars. On hearing what the clergymen had to say, the Elder declared that this was neither the time nor the place to air theological differences. The city clergyman leaned forward to whisper a further explanation, but was interrupted by Mr. Beaver, who announced that he had finished his task. Mr. Means looked at his watch, declared it was time to open the session, and rapped sharply for order.
Minor matters of business were quickly dispatched, and Mr. Means––according to the prearranged plan––was duly elected moderator.
“Brethren and sisters,” he roared in his most effective tones, “we now come to the most important, and, I hope, the most delightful part of this program. We are to be favored with a statement from the Reverend39Mr. McGowan, who is the candidate for installation as pastor of this very beautiful church. The members of the council will be given an opportunity to question Mr. McGowan after he has read to us his statement. A word of caution needs to be uttered: you are to confine your questions to theological matters as they may affect the fellowship of the ministers and churches represented to-day by pastor and delegate. Mr. McGowan will please come forward.”
Mr. McGowan came forward in more ways than one. He concisely stated his belief in applied Christianity, and followed with a program for future work in the village. His short statement left the council under the spell of an embarrassed silence. But the first question broke the silence, and was followed by others both new and old, which were hurled at the head of the candidate like shots from a rapid-fire gun.
Captain Pott stood the fusillade as long as his patience permitted, and then retreated to the quiet of the out-of-doors, where he dragged a box into the shade of the building,40and lit his pipe. Here Elizabeth Fox found him, when she, too, felt the need of a little fresh air.
“Uncle Josiah, did you ever hear anything so ridiculous? Why did you come out here?”
“I felt sort as if I was coming up into a reg’lar twister, and thought it would be safer to reef a mite and make for ca’m waters. My head begun to whirl, and I cal’lated I’d best weigh anchor while my soundings was good.”
“But isn’t it bad form for you to desert like this?” she asked, her big eyes dancing mischievously.
“I ain’t exactly deserting, I cal’late. If I’d been able to pitch into that crew and shake the devil out of ’em, I’d stayed on deck. But–––”
“I want you to go back with me. It’s getting too funny to miss!”
“I ain’t got much hankering for them officers’ meeting, Beth. It makes me feel like busting chairs on their heads.”
“But you must go back! You should hear what he is saying to them. Come!”
Before the seaman could obey the summons,41Miss Edna Splinter emerged from the rear door. She hurried toward the two. Miss Splinter was one of those fine spinsters which one so often finds stranded in small villages located near large cities. She was one of the few friends of the Captain in Little River.
“It’s the most disgusting thing I ever saw or heard!” declared Miss Splinter, angrily stamping her foot.
“It’s really too funny for words!” exclaimed Elizabeth.
“What in tarnation is he doing to them?”
“Doing to them!” flashed Miss Splinter indignantly. “My word! It’s what they’re trying to do to him. It is positively disgraceful.”
The seaman decided that a scene which could have such opposite effects on two of his best friends must at least be interesting. He knocked the tobacco from his pipe and followed them inside. As he listened, his interest grew, not so much in the ecclesiastical storm of big words, as in the wildly gesticulating clergymen. The moderator had risen and was rapping loudly for order.
42
“Brethren!” he thundered. “It is time that we recognize some of our laymen. I see Mr. Harry Beaver of this church asking for the floor. Mr. Beaver may speak.”
“M-Mr. Ch-chairman, does M-Mr. Mc-McGowan b-believe in e-ev–––”
The unfortunate man blinked, backed, pumped, emitted a series of hissing sounds like escaping steam, but remained hopelessly stuck. Those round him dodged his foot gestures, and smiled appreciatively, while those not engaged in trying to escape mutilation of corns, encouragingly suggested words such as everlasting, everpresent, etc., which might have bearing on the subject previously under discussion. The little man spurned them all with vigorous backings and increased hissings. At last, between a discouraged hiss and a triumphant sputter, the awful word rolled out.
“Evolution!” he shouted, and sat down.
After the laughter had subsided, the moderator demanded that the candidate answer the question.
“Yes, Mr. Moderator.”
Mr. Means was on his feet in an incredibly43short time for one so bulky. “Then, you deny here in the face of these wise men, as you did before your superiors in the New York Presbytery, the creation story of the Bible?”
“I did not deny it then, and I do not deny it now.”
“Brethren, we have the right to an explanation from our young brother. I was denied that privilege at the time of his ordination. But I consider his contradictory statements so serious a thing that I shall give you the opportunity that was denied me.”
Elder Fox, plainly nettled by the turn affairs had taken, rose and demanded the floor.
“Brother Fox!” vociferously acknowledged the moderator.
“We have no right to carry this senseless discussion further. There has not yet been sounded––er––the note of fellowship that should prevail among the brethren,” declared the Elder, eyeing the chairman. Very gently stroking hisside-whiskers, he continued: “We have sprung at our young friend––er––as if he were before a jury, condemned and found guilty of a felony. Why should we trouble44him about things that are not fundamental to our faith?”
Captain Pott muttered something under his breath. Never before had he known of the Elder and the city minister disagreeing.
“That is the very question,” expostulated the moderator. “Mr. McGowan has attacked every sacred doctrine of the church, for he has said what is equivalent to the statement that my ancestors were monkeys. What other interpretation can be given to the doctrine of evolution? If it does not contradict every sacred belief of our past, then I am no theologian.”
The old seaman chuckled, and several shocked faces were turned in his direction.
“Perhaps it would help if Mr. McGowan would tell us just what he does believe in regard to the book of Genesis,” suggested Mr. Fox.
“It is the story of human redemption.”
With a nod of satisfied approval, the Elder sat down, and the moderator crumpled up.
Captain Pott irreverently observed to Elizabeth: “I cal’late that there Means is left for45once with his sails flopping, without no idea as to what his longitude is.”
A little wizened-looking man smiled cordially and addressed the chair, but the “chair” seemed oblivious to all about him.
“Should not the ministry of to-day place greater emphasis on the philosophy of life than upon time-worn theology that has come to us from the middle ages?” asked the man.
“We should preach both where they affect life; neither where they do not,” was the quick response.
“I am an instructor in philosophy in the high school over at Marble Point, and I was led by your last reply concerning your belief in the book of Genesis to believe you are somewhat of a philosopher. Do you not think that philosophy will touch life more quickly than theology?”
“Religion is something that has outgrown both the classroom and the cloister. It is the anonymous religion that we must take into account in the future if the church is to progress with the needs of men.”
It was the voice of the Captain who broke46the silence of surprise which followed the unusual statement.
“I want to know!” came the seaman’s exclamation in a hoarse stage whisper.
Every face in the room seemed to register the same question. Mr. McGowan smiled and explained.
“By anonymous religion I mean every ideal striving for the right and truth, wherever it is found, and by whatever name it may be known. It may be found outside the church as readily as within it. Wherever good is found, the church should make use of it, whether it is counted orthodox or not.”
First one, and then another, was on his feet, till the moderator was powerless to moderate. Someexclaimedfor, and others declaimed against, the candidate. Still others fired broadside after broadside into all present.
“It ain’t much like a heavenly craft, that there ark, now, is it?” queried the Captain of his two friends. “Smells more like brimstone round these parts than it does like heavenly ozone.”
Mr. Fox assumed command, and under his47steady hand and head the spiritual elements began slowly to calm.
“In all my life,” he lamented, “I have never seen such proceedings in the house of God. The parish committee arranged this meeting––er––for the purpose of fellowship, and you have seen fit to make of it child’s play. It is time for us to recognize that Mr. McGowan is big enough, and broad enough, to supply the needs of a community like this. The very fact that he has not satisfied each of your unreasonable demands is evidence that he is competent to meet all of them, if we give him time. I make the motion––er,––Mr. Moderator, that we proceed with the installation of the candidate without further delay or discussion.”
The motion was seconded, and put to a vote. There were only a few who had the temerity to register themselves as negative in the face of what the leading layman had said. Elder Fox suggested that the vote be made unanimous.
“Brethren,” protested the Reverend Mr. Means, slowly rising from the depths of the48easy chair, “before that vote is taken to make the will of this council unanimous, I wish to have it fully understood that I am opposed, bitterly opposed, to the calling of unorthodox men to our pulpits. It is atrocious, and I shall wash my hands of the whole affair. I regret very much that our beloved Brother Fox has forced me to disagree with him, and if he is of the same opinion still, I shall have to ask him to take the chair while the vote he has called for is being registered.”
Mr. Fox took the chair, and the motion passed without one dissenting voice. Adjournment to the kitchen parlors followed, and when that vote was taken the voice of him who had washed his hands of the action of the council was heard booming an affirmative near the Captain’s ear.
The bounteous provisions warmed heart and stomach, and that fact, together with some persuasion from Elder Fox, led the city minister to the decision that he would lose nothing if he remained to deliver his prepared address. And he did himself proudly. Even Captain Pott could find no fault with the impassioned49words of the speaker. He was heard to remark, however, “Them there things he said wa’n’t what was inside by a damn sight, but just smeared on like honey.”
It was late that night when the Captain reached home after closing the church building. The minister was in his study, and the old man tapped lightly on the door.
“Won’t be disturbing your peaceful meditations about that meeting if I come in for a spell, will I?”
Assured he would not, he entered. He took a chair on the opposite side of the table and drew out his pipe.
“There ain’t no wind so fierce that it don’t blow you some good,” he philosophized, as with deliberation he scratched a match on his trouser-leg. “I’d never hoped to see Jim Fox stand up to that city feller the way he did.”
“What did you think of the whole thing, anyway, Cap’n?”
“Well, so far as I could get the drift, I’d think that there theology stuff would be purty dry picking. But it was mighty interesting50the way you met up with ’em at every p’int. I was real ’feared that Jim Fox would get aboard their band-wagon when he see the way things was going against you.”
The minister nodded.
“And the way the Means feller washed his hands! Wa’n’t that good as a show, and then getting up and preaching like Gabriel afterward? Mack, you ain’t got no idea what he made me think of, have you?”
“Not in the least. What?”
“I heard a preacher tell a yarn once about a pilot washing his hands in hell. It struck me queer about there being a river in hell. If it’s as hot down there as I’ve heard it described, you’d think the surroundings would sizzle her up. But that’s what the preacher said about this pilot, whose last name I rec’lect was Pontyhouse. His stay was to be purty tolerable long with his Satanic majesty. I’ve always felt sorry for that chap, seemed kind of lonely, but as I figger it out he’s going to have company one of these hot days.”
Mr. McGowan looked up.
“You just bet he is. I knew that Means51chap afore he took to religion, and if he’s slated for heavenly bliss I’m going to put in my papers for the other place, alongside the scrubbing pilot.”
“You mean–––”
“I mean that one of us is going to keep that feller company in hell. Beyond that you’ll have to guess,” said the Captain, rising. “Only don’t you tie too tight to Means, that’s all. Good night, I’m going to turn in.”
“All right, Cap’n, I’ll promise,” replied Mr. McGowan, smiling appreciatively.
“You’d best go to bed, too, Mack. You’re mighty tired.”
But the minister did not follow his friend’s advice about retiring. He sat at his desk. The angry men of the afternoon slowly faded from his thoughts, and into the center of his consciousness came the vision of the loveliest face he had ever seen. He recalled the words of frank approval with which Miss Fox had met him after the evening service, and the cordial manner she had shown. Not that he was in love with one of the members of his church. That would never do. But there was something52different about the Elder’s daughter, something which appealed to his sense of the beautiful. This, he told himself, he could enjoy without overstepping the conventions.
The next day he was to dine at the Fox home.