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 The Christian Athlete 
 
 A £>crmmt Btari] 
 
 BY 
 
 aquilla Webb 
 
 Pastor First Presbyterian Church 
 los angeles, cal. 
 
 Los Angeles, Cal. 
 Commercial Printing Housi 
 
 1002
 
 Copyright, ig02, by Aquilla Webb. 
 All rights reserved.
 
 THIS STORY IS DEDICATED 
 TO 
 
 ROBERT IRVING FULTON 
 
 A MAN IN CHRIST JESUS 
 
 WHOSE FRIENDSHIP 
 
 IS 
 
 PRIZED ABOVE ANY EARTHLY 
 
 TREASURE
 
 CONTENTS 
 
 Chapter I. Treasures on Earth 
 
 II. A Friend in Need 
 
 III. The Struggle for Wisdom 
 
 IV. A Priceless Jewel 
 
 V. The Valiant Athlete 
 
 VI. An Unseen Guide 
 
 VII. Alone in the World. 
 
 Vlll. The Imposter Unmasked 
 
 IX. Harmony in Diversity 
 
 X. A Cloudless Morning 
 
 XI. A Love- Wrought Masterpiece 
 
 XII. The Giant in the Pulpit
 
 PREFACE 
 
 This story was first read to my parish in Massachusetts. 
 From the first the new method of presenting truth met 
 with a hearty response, and instead of a few present the 
 church was crowded evening after evening. The attend- 
 ance after the story was finished continued almost the 
 same. People thus became deeply interested in the Sunday 
 evening services. At that time there were many requests 
 for publication. A busy pastorate does not allow much 
 time for such work, and the duties of the parish prevented 
 further consideration of the story. 
 
 When called to my present field of labor the same 
 problem of the Sunday evening service was present. The 
 best sermons that could be prepared by the pastor, and 
 the most excellent music of a consecrated choir, failed to 
 attract the indifferent people of the community. In des- 
 peration the sermon story was re-written and given. Free 
 use of the newspapers and special music secured a splen- 
 did attendance for the first evening. The congregations 
 constantly increased, and the interest in the story was 
 greater than when first given. 
 
 One chapter was read each Sunday evening, running 
 through three months. Each reading was preceded by a 
 ten-minute sermon on the text. The lessons were enforced 
 in petition rather than exhortation. 
 
 Yielding to many urgent requests this story is now 
 sent forth with the hope that it will work that which is 
 good toward all men, especially toward them that are not 
 of the household of faith.
 
 CHAPTER I. 
 
 TREASURES ON EARTH. 
 
 "Lay not up for yourselves treasures on earth." 
 
 The beautiful city of Cleveland slept on the shore 
 of the great lake that swept far out into the still 
 night. The restless waves broke upon the pebbled 
 shore and the anchored boats were never at rest. 
 While all seemed at first glance to be quiet, here and 
 there a lone boat was dropping an anchor, here 
 and there was a gleam across the dark waters. How 
 like the restless waters was the life of that western 
 city. The city seemed to be entirely wrapt in slum- 
 ber, but here and there was a sentinel, a homeless 
 wanderer, a gleam of light. One place especially — 
 the great printing office of the Cleveland Plain 
 Dealer — showed no signs of quiet or rest. The 
 usual routine of news gathering and printing was 
 commonplace and rather dull. On this night, how- 
 ever, every one seemed interested in the sheets as 
 they came from the swiftly flying rollers. The 
 work was completed just as the gray dawn came 
 over the high hills of the east. As the hum of ma- 
 chinery ceased and the workers became quiet the 
 singing of birds was heard. Then a little later came 
 the rumble of an early wagon on the way to mar- 
 
 9
 
 IO TREASURES ON EARTH. 
 
 ket, then the sound of an electric car, then the tramp 
 of the early workers, and ere long the city was to 
 awake and to be taking its part among the great 
 centers of trade. As the people passed the bulletin 
 of the Plain Dealer, they looked up, as was their 
 custom, to read the news. They read, rubbed their 
 eyes, read again, then gathered in groups to discuss 
 the news. The newsboys hurrying to the office for 
 their papers saw the crowd before the bulletin and 
 guessed that there was something unusual in the 
 paper. They secured their bundles and read in large 
 letters: "Bank Failure — The Savings Bank has 
 failed." 
 
 On the street corners, in the counting houses, at 
 the Board of Trade — everywhere, the news was 
 flashed, and everywhere there was genuine surprise. 
 The boys sold all their papers without effort, and 
 then crowded and pushed each other at the office 
 waiting for the next edition. One of the boys 
 wished a bank would fail every day, but another 
 little fellow said: "Well, I don't. 'Cause there'd 
 be so many guys out of a job that some of them 
 would have to sell papers, and I guess we've got 
 more'n 'nuff now." The second edition came out 
 and was soon disposed of. 
 
 The Savings Bank was one of the best known 
 and most trusted institutions in the city. Thousands 
 had their earnings in the bank, and were receiving 
 a reasonable amount of interest. The president, 
 Mr. McDonald, was among the wealthiest and most 
 respected citizens of Cleveland. He had been pres- 
 ident of the bank for twenty-five years, and every 
 one had the greatest confidence in his honesty and 
 business ability. Besides being president of the
 
 THE CHRISTIAN ATHI.BTE. II 
 
 bank, he held many positions of trust, and was an 
 elder in the Bethany Presbyterian Church. 
 
 The hundreds who had placed their hard earnings 
 in the Savings Bank could not believe the story. 
 Many left their work and joined with the curious 
 multitude that stood in front of the bank waiting 
 for it to open. What an odd, what an interest- 
 ing, what a pathetic sight ! There was the news- 
 boy, who had saved his pennies from selling papers 
 and shining boots. There was the wash woman, 
 who had been toiling away for years, denying her- 
 self many necessities, in order to have enough 
 money to buy a little cottage of her own some time. 
 There was the teamster in his blue clothes, sadly 
 recalling how many days' work it had taken to lay 
 up his small sum. There was the cripple who had 
 invested his all and stood silently weeping over his 
 loss, and wondering what would become of him. 
 Despair was written on every countenance and spoke 
 in every action. 
 
 In the midst of this confusion and pathos the car- 
 riage of Mr. McDonald drove up. Mr. McDonald 
 climbed upon the carriage seat by his coachman. 
 Tall, broad-shouldered, clean-shaven, faultlessly at- 
 tired, he was such a figure as would command re- 
 spect and deference on any occasion. Now as the 
 pale-faced man suddenly appeared in their midst 
 every movement ceased, every murmur was hushed ; 
 all waited in breathless expectancy. "Ladies and 
 gentlemen/' he began; "this failure is as much of 
 a surprise to me as to you. As you know, I have 
 been away for a few months attending to outside 
 business interests and getting a little rest. When 
 I returned I found affairs at home so involved that
 
 12 TREASURES ON EARTH. 
 
 the directors at once closed the bank. The cause of 
 the failure I cannot explain, but a thorough inves- 
 tigation will be made." There was a moment of 
 silence, and then one trembling voice from the 
 crowd called out : "What about our money ?" 
 
 "If you will be patient with me, I will tell you. 
 I have made an assignment of everything I possess, 
 and in due time every dollar will be paid. And now 
 I advise you to return to your homes or your work, 
 and not waste time here in front of the bank, as it 
 will not be open for a few days." 
 
 There was considerable hesitation, grumbling and 
 muttering, but slowly the crowd dispersed, and only 
 the poor washer woman remained, still hoping 
 against hope that the bank would open, notwith- 
 standing Mr. McDonald's assurance. 
 
 The regular editions of the papers came out the 
 next day giving assurances to the depositors that 
 they would be paid in full. 
 
 The cause of the failure was given as "a mys- 
 tery." Mr. Oscar Tupper, the cashier, was inter- 
 viewed, but said he could not account for the failure. 
 He said he could hardly think Mr. McDonald would 
 gamble ; still he might have done so. "Now," said 
 he, "although I am not a church member, it is 
 against my principles to gamble. Still, some church 
 members have queer notions of right, and Mr. Mc- 
 Donald may have felt justified in his peculations." 
 Yet, even while he spoke, he knew he was giving 
 a most false impression. 
 
 When Mr. McDonald was shown Mr. Tupper's 
 interview by a reporter, and asked what he had to 
 say, he answered simply : "I have defrauded no 
 man. The cause will ultimately be given to the
 
 THE CHRISTIAN ATHLETE. 13 
 
 public. I have nothing more to say." Only Mr. 
 McDonald could know how the unkind reflections 
 had cut him to the heart. He had taken Mr. Tup- 
 per a penniless lad from a counting house and had 
 helped him up step by step to the cashier's posi- 
 tion. In the midst of his reflections, Mr. Tupper 
 called him up by telephone. 
 "Hello!" said Mr. McDonald. 
 "Is this Mr. McDonald?" 
 "Yes." 
 
 "This is Mr. Tupper." 
 "How do you do, Mr. Tupper?" 
 "Very well, thank you. I called you up to assure 
 you that the interview in this morning's paper en- 
 tirely misrepresents me. I guess the reporter 
 wanted something of a sensational nature and man- 
 ufactured the story." 
 
 "I'm real glad to hear you say that," said Mr. 
 McDonald, "for I knew you were not quoted cor- 
 rectly. The report in the paper is a very unfortu- 
 nate one, as it puts me in a false position." 
 
 "It certainly does, Mr. McDonald, and I will do 
 all I can to correct the matter." 
 
 "Thank you. I knew you would." 
 "Good-bye." 
 "Good-bye." 
 
 Yet Mr. Tupper was careful not to make the 
 statement public in regard to misrepresentation. 
 The reporter had not misrepresented his interview 
 with Mr. Tupper. Mr. Tupper was anxious to have 
 the public believe himself honest, and thus to retain 
 his position. 
 
 The excited public was ready for some such 
 charge, and accepted Mr. Tupper's insinuations as 
 facts.
 
 14 TREASURES ON EARTH. 
 
 How dense was the gloom that settled over the 
 McDonald house ! Mr. McDonald, with broken 
 voice, had explained to his wife and his two chil- 
 dren, Hester and Everett, what was to come, and 
 they were in some measure prepared for the sen- 
 sation in the Plain Dealer. Not one seemed to real- 
 ize what a crisis had come into their lives. They 
 sat silent and looked dazed. They had no desire 
 for food, and only cared to avoid the curious public. 
 Hester had graduated from Wellesley College, and 
 had been home but a short time from a trip abroad. 
 She had been planning to enter society that fall, 
 but all such plans were now forgotten. Everett was 
 a junior in the Ohio Wesleyan University. He was 
 at home on his spring vacation when the crash 
 came. Of course, he could not now think of re- 
 turning to finish his work. 
 
 Mr. McDonald, day after day, paced to and fro 
 in his room, like a caged lion. He ran his fingers 
 through his iron-gray hair, his large blue eyes 
 gleamed with a fixed purpose. He had been robbed 
 of his fortune and his good name. He meant to 
 fasten the blame at once and send the guilty parties 
 to swift justice. However, resolutions are more 
 easily made than executed. In settling up the ac- 
 counts of the bank, the McDonald home on Euclid 
 Avenue was sold and the McDonalds moved into a 
 small cottage on a back street. The blackness of 
 darkness seemed to settle over the little family. 
 How changed everything was. The servants were 
 gone — all except Liza, an old colored maid, whose 
 love was so great that she refused to be turned away. 
 Hester's beautiful songs were hushed, and no one 
 looked now for pranks from Everett. What matter
 
 THE CHRISTIAN ATHLETE. 15 
 
 if the sky was blue, if the birds did sing, if the sun 
 did shine — all was closed to them now. 
 
 Only Liza, the colored servant, did not despair. 
 She hummed plantation melodies and encouraged 
 every one as best she could. She took an especial 
 delight in keeping the cottage tasty, and gathered 
 wild flowers for the table. She would remain awake 
 way into the night, wondering how she could tease 
 their appetites. She was especially worried about 
 Hester. Every night she knelt at her bed and 
 prayed for the whole family, but invariably con- 
 cluded her prayer by saying: "Good Lord, make 
 Miss Hester eat." But Hester's trouble was deeper 
 than the good servant imagined. Her frail system 
 could not long hold up under such a strain. She was 
 nervous. She was sleepless. She was feverish. 
 The family physician came and gave her a tonic and 
 warned her that unless she ceased worrying she 
 would be down with nervous prostration. Liza 
 heard the warning, and while she was not sure what 
 the physician meant by "nervous prostration," she 
 knew it must be something "pow'ful serious," and 
 she made up her mind to do something extra for 
 Miss Hester in the cooking line. After several vain 
 attempts at coaxing Hester's appetite, and seeing 
 how thin and pale she was growing, Liza resolved to 
 change her tactics. 
 
 One afternoon she asked Hester if she would like 
 to have her fortune told. Hester answered in an 
 absent-minded way, and allowed herself to be led to 
 the hammock out under the shade of the trees. Liza 
 took the shapely white hand in hers and rubbed it as 
 tenderly and lovingly as if it had been her own 
 child's. Then turning it over she began to look at
 
 l6 TREASURES ON EARTH. 
 
 the creases. "Was you ever in love, honey?" asked 
 Liza. 
 
 "Yes, Liza ; I'm in love now." 
 
 The answer gave Liza such a shock that she 
 seemed to have trouble in framing the next question. 
 She said to herself, "Maby that's just the cause of 
 what the doctor said — those dreadful big words." 
 But when Liza did collect her wits she overwhelmed 
 Hester with questions. "Well, honey, tell yer old 
 Aunty all about the gemmen you'se in love with. Is 
 he young? I s'pose he's rich? Did you meet him at 
 college or abroad ? Is he comin' to see you soon ? 
 Did he ever write you any letters?" 
 
 Hester did not smile. Over her pale features came 
 a deep earnestness, and her eyes grew larger and 
 more pathetic. 
 
 "Yes, Liza, I'll tell you all about him, for he loves 
 you, too." Liza was so startled at the statement that 
 she could not utter a word. 
 
 "Yes, Liza, I'll tell you all. He is a young man 
 and will always be young. He is not bothered about 
 money. He has enough and to spare. He was born 
 in a very humble place, but the place of birth does 
 not determine our position in life. I am glad he was 
 humbly born, for he knows how to sympathize with 
 every class and condition. He thinks more of truth 
 than he does of wealth, or position, or honor. He 
 thinks as much of the poor as he does of the rich, for 
 he said so — and O, I'm so glad he does, for if 
 his love depended on riches, he would forsake me 
 now." 
 
 As Hester paused a moment in deep reflection, 
 Liza said : "How long have you known him, 
 honey?"
 
 THE CHRISTIAN ATHLETE. 17 
 
 "Don't interrupt me, Liza ; let me tell you all in 
 my own way. I knew him in my childhood. He has 
 always been good to me, but never so good as since 
 Papa failed. I could not exist without him now." 
 
 "Let me send him some of my cookies," said the 
 big-hearted listener. "I wish he was here so I could 
 tell him I like him, too. He's kind to you, and I like 
 him. But go on, Miss Hester." 
 
 "Well, the other night I was so discouraged, so 
 heart-broken, and so lonely, I thought I would read 
 some of his letters. And, Liza, you have no idea 
 what a help they were to me. I had read them be- 
 fore, but I never knew he had said so much to me. 
 I just cried to think I had so neglected him. But I 
 will not neglect him any more. I got down on my 
 knees and told him I wouldn't" — and Hester turned 
 her face to keep Liza from seeing the big tears that 
 were rolling silently down her cheeks. 
 
 "O, Miss Hester!" said Liza, "you must never 
 git down on your knees to any man ; don't do that 
 any more, child. Let him git down if he wants, but 
 Miss Hester, you mustn't ; no, indeed. You'se fine 
 enough for any man in this world to kneel to. But 
 perhaps you did treat him mean. I wish I could meet 
 him. But 'scuse me, Miss Hester ; go on." 
 
 "Well," continued Hester, "that night when I 
 went to sleep I dreamed about him." 
 
 " 'Deed, I don't wonder, honey, for I 'spect I will 
 too, now ; but go on." 
 
 "Well, I was so weary and tired, and he came 
 along and seemed to be so sorry for me that he took 
 me with him." 
 
 "Jest what he will be doing some of these days, I 
 'spect. That's the way. But 'taint for me to say
 
 l8 TREASURES ON EARTH. 
 
 no, 'cause you need some one to be good to you and 
 love you; 'deed you do; but go on." 
 
 "Well, he took me in his beautiful carriage to a 
 great ocean. I was too tired to get out, so he lifted 
 me in his arms and carried me aboard the ship. The 
 boat weighed anchor and we started out across the 
 sea. The waves seemed to grow higher and higher. 
 The light seemed to fade away. The crested foam 
 dashed over us, and every timber in the ship creaked 
 and groaned. 
 
 "Wasn't you dreadfully scared, Miss Hester?" 
 
 "No, Liza ; he stood by me and said I need not 
 be afraid. The boat rode on. I finally heard the 
 waves breaking upon some distant shore. Then, as 
 rthe darkness and storm gradually faded into day- 
 light and calm, I saw a home on the distant hills. 
 Such a beautiful mansion — I wish you could have 
 seen it. Such beautiful jasper walls, great gates of 
 pearl, and I think I never heard such sweet singing." 
 
 "Don't he need a servant?" eagerly asked Liza. 
 "I wish I could live with you, Miss Hester. Does 
 he like colored folks? Does he have any colored 
 servants? Do you 'spose he'd like me?" 
 
 Even Hester seemed to forget that she was telling 
 a dream, and said : "O, Liza, you know Papa, 
 Mamma and Brother Everett need you now more 
 than ever before ! You stay with them a little while 
 longer, and, if you are real kind to them, he has 
 promised to give you a place." 
 
 "I'll bake a fruit cake for Mr. Everett every time 
 he asks me, Miss Hester ; 'deed I will, honey, and 
 I'll not scold him any more if he takes it all; no, I 
 won't. Just tell me what to do, Miss Hester, and 
 'deed I'll do it."
 
 THE CHRISTIAN ATHLETE. 19 
 
 "Well, you see, Liza, this was only a dream about 
 his coming ; but really and truly he is coming, and 
 I'm anxious to go. Do not repeat our conversation. 
 Just be good, Liza, and everything will come out all 
 right. You can go into the house, Liza, and prepare 
 the evening meal. I will wait here." 
 
 As Liza rose to go, she said : "Miss Hester, can't 
 I go and tell the man you love to come and see you ? 
 You look dreadful bad. I's been praying for you, 
 but 'deed I don't know, you look mighty poorly. 
 Can't I go for him?" 
 
 Hester smiled faintly, shook her head and closed 
 her eyes. Liza hurried into the house and soon had 
 a very tempting meal prepared, but she noticed sadly 
 that Hester minced at the food and really ate noth- 
 ing. 
 
 As the days and weeks went by, Hester grew thin- 
 ner and paler and weaker. The great strain was 
 too much for her, and she became a hopeless wreck 
 with nervous prostration. O, the days and nights 
 of waiting and watching at her bedside. Finally the 
 old family physician shook his head and said he had 
 done all for her that he possibly could do. With 
 blanched faces Mr. and Mrs. McDonald and Everett 
 questioned him eagerly, but he shook his head. 
 "Her case is serious, and I'd advise you to be pre- 
 pared for any emergency. I'll do all in my power, 
 but I'm afraid she is beyond human help. I told her 
 so, but she only smiled." 
 
 Who can describe the deep grief that came with 
 that warning? Who felt able to go into that room 
 with a cheerful face? Could they keep back their 
 sobs? No. And what a relief to their burdened 
 hearts that they did not. They thought that they
 
 20 TREASURES ON EARTH. 
 
 had lost all when they lost their fortune. The world 
 seemed to be cold and cheerless then, but now they 
 realized that there could be a greater loss than that 
 of money. They knew now that they could be happy 
 in the humblest log cabin if Hester could only be 
 spared to them. With hearts as brave as they could 
 possess, they watched at her bedside. Hester ral- 
 lied for a few moments and knew each one of them. 
 "The physician has told me I cannot stay here. But 
 don't grieve for me, for really, I want to go." The 
 failing consciousness and drooping lids told too 
 plainly that her wish was soon to be granted. What 
 wonder that she smiled, even in that crucial hour! 
 What wonder that she was anxious to go ! In that 
 hour the Man whom she loved, of whom she had 
 spoken to Liza, came into the darkened room and 
 took her tired hand in His. The hand that held hers 
 now was not the kind hand of the colored servant, 
 but it was a hand that had in it the nail prints. In 
 His side was the mark of the spear. On His head 
 was a crown of thorns. In the last rays of that 
 summer's sunset He gathered her in His arms and 
 carried her down through the valley that was no 
 longer troubled, up the heights that were no longer 
 steep, and gave her a home in that city of her 
 dreams. 
 
 That night Liza told the grief-stricken family 
 about her conversation with Hester, and all about 
 the man she loved. The great truth came over them 
 all. They found her Bible, worn and stained with 
 tears, for she had indeed found consolation in the 
 letters He had caused to be written to her. As they 
 sat there and talked of Hester's dreams their hearts 
 burned strangely within them, for He who walked
 
 THE CHRISTIAN ATHLETE. 21 
 
 with the disciples on the way to Emmaeus was also 
 with them. 
 
 They had confessed Christ, they belonged to His 
 church, yet how they had forgotten Him in their 
 hour of trouble until that moment. That night they 
 thought not about earthly possessions, or the opin- 
 ions of men, but opened the Book that had shed 
 such light upon Hester's pathway and found the 
 deep consolation of Christ.
 
 CHAPTER II. 
 
 A FRIEND IN NEED. 
 
 "A friend loveth at all times." 
 
 Mr. McDonald swung, pendulum-like, from one 
 extreme to the other. Yesterday his thoughts had 
 been centered in his own interests. Today he was 
 at the other extreme, and thought only of how long 
 he would be compelled to wait until he could join 
 Hester. While he thus stood heavenward gazing, 
 he was recalled to earthward watching by the daily 
 paper with its news. The Savings Bank had opened, 
 and all the old officers were back in their places ex- 
 cept Mr. McDonald. A new president had been 
 selected. Of course, Mr. McDonald knew of the 
 change, but somehow when it appeared in print it 
 seemed more cold and cruel. There was no mention 
 of the sacrifice he had made to pay every dollar. 
 Also all his old friends and associates treated him in 
 such a manner that he was anxious to avoid them. 
 Some kept at a distance from him, while others who 
 did meet him simply expressed their regret. Not 
 one said, "I believe in your honesty and know you 
 will yet be vindicated." 
 
 Not one? Yes, one; for in all the dark hours 
 one man had never forsaken the McDonalds ; one 
 man had never believed the rumors of speculation 
 
 22
 
 THE CHRISTIAN ATHI^TE. 2 3 
 
 and gambling; ; one man was more often at the cot- 
 tage than he had been at the mansion. Rev. Horace 
 Carter, the Presbyterian minister, still firmly be- 
 lieved in Mr. McDonald's integrity and stood by 
 the family. He insisted that the family come to 
 church and occupy their old pew. He had never 
 prayed nor asked to pray in the mansion, but now, 
 without asking, he knelt down in the cottage. In 
 his pulpit he prayed as a minister and preached as a 
 prophet. Often people thought him cold and with- 
 out sympathy, but in that cottage he was a tender 
 shepherd. He gathered that family in his arms, and 
 clasping them to his bosom, he carried them to the 
 throne of grace. On one of these visits, when he 
 was praying, with the tears streaming down his 
 cheeks, Mrs. McDonald felt herself being carried up 
 to the very gates of heaven and opened her eyes 
 thinking she might see Hester's bright, radiant face. 
 After one of these seasons of prayer the family 
 promised to come back to church ; to come back and 
 occupy their old pew. They had some misgivings 
 as they promised and yet they knew it was their 
 duty. As Rev. Mr. Carter left he shook them 
 warmly by the hand and said that he expected to 
 have the pleasure of seeing them next Sunday morn- 
 ing. 
 
 Sunday came, bright and beautiful. Liza, the 
 colored servant, was as pleased as the minister to 
 think "her family," as she called them, "was go- 
 ing to meetin'." She was up early and called them 
 in plenty of time to get ready. "Getting ready" 
 that morning was very different from their "get- 
 ting ready" in the past. They shined their own 
 shoes and brushed their own clothes. Then when
 
 24 A FRIEND IN NEED. 
 
 they were ready there was no carriage waiting for 
 them without. Greatest difference of all, one face 
 was absent. As they stepped out upon the street 
 each one had a feeling of regret and hesitation. 
 But their promise had been given and they would 
 go to church. It was a "clear bracing day, mel- 
 low with the richness of autumn." They went 
 early to avoid meeting many people and the sur- 
 prised usher led them to their old pew. 
 
 Most of the members were astonished as they 
 looked over the church and saw the ex-bank 
 president with his wife and son in the familiar 
 place. How dared they have the audacity to come 
 into the church since Elder McDonald had been 
 disgraced before the whole world ! Didn't every 
 paper mention the fact that he was an Elder in their 
 church, and comment upon it? The other denom- 
 inations had not said anything about it, but any 
 one must know that they were inwardly chuckling 
 over the cloud that had settled over the church 
 as the result of Mr. McDonald's gambling. Then 
 tomorrow the papers would be full of gossip about 
 the McDonalds being in their old pew, that the 
 church stood by him and thus proclaimed to the 
 world that they believed in having a gambler as an 
 elder. 
 
 The Rev. Mr. Carter saw the unusual under- 
 current of excitement and conversation and guessed 
 it all. A silent petition was going up to the loving 
 Heavenly Father for greater power, for clearer in- 
 sight, for more effective utterance. 
 
 The quartet must have been inspired by Dr. Car- 
 ter's silent supplications, for they seemed to sing 
 better than ever before. As they called in song
 
 THE CHRISTIAN ATHLETE. 25 
 
 "Lift up your heads, O ye gates, and be ye lift 
 up, ye everlasting doors," it did really seem as if 
 the portals were swinging open and "the King of 
 Glory" was coming in. Surely the "King of Glory" 
 would be pleased to come into that magnificently 
 equipped church with that waiting congregation. 
 Then when Dr. Carter prayed he seemed to clasp 
 hands with the "King of Glory" and stand within 
 the veil. How it seemed to humble him as with the 
 eye of faith he looked into the heavenly city and 
 saw the King in all his beauty and power. He 
 saw the angels, the swift messengers of God, always 
 ready for service. There, too, he heard music 
 sweeter than that ever lisped by mortal tongue, 
 and all had forgotten themselves in praising the 
 Lamb that sitteth upon the throne. When he looked 
 at earth and saw what ruin sin had wrought, when 
 he thought of the discordant tones of all earthly 
 singing, when he thought of the limitations of 
 human wisdom, when he saw the sinfulness and 
 heartlessness of humanity, then it was that he took 
 a firm hold upon the divine promises for help, then it 
 was that he was ready to pray for Christ's Kingdom 
 to be on earth as it was in heaven. When the prayer 
 was concluded many worshipers wiped tears from 
 their eyes. Even the transient drummer who had 
 come in to hear the excellent singing, straightened 
 up and swallowed two or three times to get back 
 to normal. After the congregation had joined 
 heartily in singing, "What a Friend We Have in 
 Jesus" the minister announced his text from Gala- 
 tians, the sixth chapter and tenth verse. As he 
 spoke of the text, of Christians, of Christians using 
 opportunity to do good the people forgot the manu-
 
 26 A FRIEND IN NEED. 
 
 script and saw a fearless apostle inspired with a 
 message. He saw that the audience was deeply 
 moved, but he was especially anxious to put driv- 
 ing power behind their emotions as he spoke of 
 the Christian's especial duty to them that are of the 
 household of faith. 
 
 But it would be impossible to reproduce the ser- 
 mon. To do so would require the presence of the 
 man with his godly face, his flashing eye, his firm- 
 set lip, his uplifted arm, and his effectual fervent 
 prayer in closing. 
 
 When the service was over, the McDonalds tar- 
 ried a few minutes until the people were well out 
 of the church. A few friends came forward to 
 greet them, but many shunned them. 
 
 One man who sat in one of the back pews was 
 relieved when the benediction was pronounced. He 
 had had no idea that Mr. McDonald would come 
 back to the church, and when he saw him there 
 he was restless, uneasy, irritated. What a differ- 
 ence in the position the two men held before that 
 audience ! Mr. McDonald, poor, despised, for- 
 saken, yet with God's help ready to face a frown- 
 ing world. Mr. Tupper, the new bank president, 
 with plenty, courted by all, every avenue in society 
 open to him, yet restless, uneasy and fearful to face 
 a smiling world. 
 
 Although the morning service had been such a 
 helpful one, the McDonalds were greatly relieved 
 as they hurried out of the church and then saun- 
 tered leisurely down the shaded streets to their 
 quiet little home. "That was a fine sermon," said 
 Everett, "but I believe I could have enjoyed myself 
 better some other place."
 
 THE CHRISTIAN ATHLETE. 27 
 
 "I'm sure I could not have been helped as much 
 any other place," said the mother. 
 
 "Well," said Mr. McDonald, "I did not feel quite 
 like I used to, but still that is our church home. I 
 have nothing to be ashamed of, and don't feel like 
 dodging around to some little obscure church as 
 though I was a culprit. Besides, when we are in 
 trouble we want to hear a minister who knows our 
 trials and can sympathize with us." 
 
 "You are right, father, but I felt that Dr. Carter 
 was the only one who really wanted us present. 
 The people who spoke to us seemed to do so from 
 a sense of duty." 
 
 Everett was not far wrong in his judgment. In 
 the vestry of the old Presbyterian church there 
 was an unusual stir and excitement. Fifteen mem- 
 bers had signed a petition for a church meeting. 
 They were determined not to be disgraced by a 
 gambling elder. 
 
 Dr. Carter saw that it was useless to argue with 
 them in their blind excitement. He decided to have 
 the meeting on Monday night. He then hurried to 
 the newspaper offices, told them frankly about the 
 matter, and asked them to suppress any account 
 of the church trouble. Each editor promised to 
 grant his request, and Dr. Carter had won his first 
 victory. 
 
 Then the second struggle came in the afternoon 
 as he walked to and fro in his study. He had served 
 his people faithfully for twenty years. He had helped 
 to build up the membership and had been instru- 
 mental in removing all debt from their magnificent 
 new house of worship. What was it all for? Was 
 the church not built to carry out Christ's plan to
 
 28 A FRIEND IN NEED. 
 
 help those who needed help? Had the work of all 
 these years been given to establish an impetuous, 
 ungrateful, unsympathetic church? Should he re- 
 sign and seek another field? In anguish and prayer 
 he debated the question until the deep shadows be- 
 gan to gather and reminded him of the evening ser- 
 vice. Kneeling down in the quiet of his study, he 
 prayed again for guidance. He heard as clearly as 
 if a voice were speaking to him: "Thou man of 
 God, this battle is the Lord's. Go forth in his 
 name. Do not flinch and fly in the day of battle." 
 
 He arrived at the church a few minutes late. 
 He went through the entire service in an absent- 
 minded way, and seemed glad when announcing 
 the closing hymn. As he was leaving the church 
 one of the members noticed his pale face and asked, 
 "Are you sick, Doctor Carter? You look so pale." 
 
 "I'm not very sick. A pain in my heart. That's 
 all." 
 
 The next day many people called at the manse, 
 but to every one the servant said courteously: 
 "This is not Dr. Carter's day at home." 
 
 In the evening almost the entire membership had 
 gathered in the vestry of the Bethany Presbyterian 
 Church. The assistant pastor was in the chair as 
 moderator and offered prayer. He then asked Mr. 
 Herbert, who had circulated the petition for the 
 meeting, to state the object. Mr. Herbert was one. 
 of those impetuous, well-meaning men who want 
 to go with the crowd and are always ready to ac- 
 cept other people's opinions. Many in the congre- 
 gation were anxious to get rid of Elder McDonald ; 
 yet they wisely selected a cat's paw to do the work. 
 Mr. Herbert felt greatly elated because he had been
 
 THE CHRISTIAN ATHLETE- 29 
 
 chosen to lead in the movement against an offend- 
 ing brother "Mr. Moderator," he began, "the call 
 for this meeting has been signed by others, but I 
 will speak briefly on the subject. I have been a 
 member of this church for many years, and have 
 always been proud of the fact." 
 
 The moderator, who was of a very practical turn 
 of mind, said: "Mr. Herbert, we all grant what 
 you are saying ; suppose you state at once the ob- 
 ject of this call, and then we can discuss the issue 
 more intelligently." 
 
 "Well, Mr. Moderator, I will state the question 
 in a moment." He knew that it was a serious mat- 
 ter and then, too, he felt a little uneasy as he en- 
 countered the gaze of Rev. Dr. Carter, whose wish 
 had not been considered in the movement. "Well," 
 he continued, "as I said before, we want to guard 
 the good name of our church. One of our mem- 
 bers, Elder McDonald, has been displaced from his 
 position in the bank, and everybody understands 
 that it was because of speculation. Our church has 
 always been respectable, and we do not want to be 
 looked upon as a people ready to wink at acts of 
 dishonesty. For our self-respect, for the good name 
 of the church, for the cause of righteousness, we 
 should take such action as will place us in the right 
 attitude with the public." 
 
 Before a motion could be made in regard to the 
 matter, the Rev. Dr. Carter stood up. Mr. Her- 
 bert quickly sat down when the pastor arose. As 
 the pastor stood there, he seemed to be struggling 
 with himself and endeavoring to be calm. Finally, 
 in a quiet, firm voice, he said: "Mr. Moderator, I 
 would like the privilege of asking a few questions."
 
 30 A FRIEND IN NEED. 
 
 "Certainly," replied the moderator; "proceed." 
 The proceeding was just the thing that the indig- 
 nant signers of the petition did not relish. 
 
 "First," said the minister, "I understand, from 
 the reading of the petition, who signed it. I am 
 not going to conclude that they are the only ones 
 who desired the meeting." This general statement 
 relieved the tension a little, because the signers 
 were not anxious for battle at short range with the 
 pastor. "But," he continued, "did any one who 
 signed the petition or any one who desired the meet- 
 ing talk with the pastor before circulating the pe- 
 tition?" 
 
 In the awkward pause, one of the ladies who 
 signed the petition said: "Well, Dr. Carter, the 
 case seemed to require action at once, and really 
 the thought didn't occur to me." The others re- 
 mained silent. 
 
 "Well, Mr. Moderator, I want to ask another 
 question or two. Was Elder McDonald given to 
 understand that such a meeting was to be called?" 
 
 After a long pause, which grew more embarrass- 
 ing with each tick of the clock, Mr. Herbert, some- 
 what red in the face, said: "No, we did not con- 
 sider that necessary." 
 
 "Well," said the minister, "suppose I ask another 
 question, Mr. Moderator. Have the people who de- 
 sired this meeting any proof of the charge they do 
 not specifically make, that Elder McDonald did 
 lose his money through gambling? And, further, 
 have they any evidence that a single person has 
 been defrauded by any of his transactions?" 
 
 Another lady could not remain silent longer, and 
 said: "Well, Dr. Carter, if you could hear what
 
 THE CHRISTIAN ATHLETE. 3 1 
 
 the people say about Elder McDonald, you would 
 sign a petition too, I think. And, besides, our next 
 door neighbor says he will never unite with our 
 church so long as we tolerate Mr. McDonald." As 
 she sat down, the aged minister, who was worship- 
 ing with the church, feebly stood up. He had been 
 taking an evening walk, and noticing the lights, 
 went into the meeting without guessing the object. 
 He heard with difficulty. Finally he concluded it 
 was time for his aged advice, and he gave it. 
 "Brothers and sisters, I have been listening to these 
 speeches, and if you are talking about revising the 
 Confession of Faith, I'd advise you to go slow." 
 The moderator tried to stop him, but he continued : 
 "I know you think I am old-fashioned, but the old 
 confession is good enough for me. If the good 
 sister who has just spoken is afraid her neighbor 
 will not come until there is a revision, he had bet- 
 ter stay away." 
 
 Several smiled at the old man's mistake, but Dr. 
 Carter stood there as unmoved as if he had been 
 carved out of marble. He asked if any one else 
 wanted to answer his questions. No one moved. 
 
 "Then, Mr. Moderator, I have a few words on 
 this subject for which I beg your indulgence. In 
 all my ministry, this is the first time a meeting has 
 been called without consulting my wishes. While 
 I am deeply pained by such action, I shall cherish 
 no ill feeling toward any one, for I believe you were 
 moved by impulse to right what you thought a 
 wrong. In your calmer moments I am confident 
 you would first have talked with me about the sit- 
 uation. 
 
 "I have been pastor of this church for twenty
 
 32 A FRIEND IN NEED. 
 
 years, and you have had my undivided effort. 1 
 have refused calls to larger fields, as you well know. 
 This I did because I loved each one of you as if you 
 had been my own children. 
 
 "I have rejoiced with you in your joy, and wept 
 with you in your sorrow. I have seen children 
 grow into young manhood, young manhood into 
 old age, and old age crowned in the hour of trans- 
 lation. Is this church any dearer to your heart 
 than mine? Could her interests be more jealously 
 guarded by you than by me? This church is a 
 part of my life, and as God's minister I will 
 defend her. But why does this church mean so 
 much to me? Is it because we have one of the 
 choicest locations in the city? Is it because we have 
 such a beautiful and costly structure? Is it because 
 we have such a large and respectable membership? 
 Such things may be desirable, but God forbid that 
 I should be a minister of the gospel and seek those 
 things as an end. No, a thousand times, no ! We art 
 not here simply to have a congenial society, a splen- 
 did choir, a polished sermon, a beautiful edifice, 
 These are but the forms and the trappings of powei. 
 / '! our equipment passes as useless unless God's 
 power works in and through these. I believe in 
 doing good unto all men as we have opportunity, 
 and I also believe that especially we are to do good 
 to them that are of the household of faith. When 
 did Christ call men his sons? When they were in 
 prosperity and were well spoken of? He called 
 every one a son who believed on him, and then said, 
 'inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least 
 of these, ye have done it unto me.' I insist, in our 
 clearest revelation, that in dealing with Elder Mc-
 
 THE CHRISTIAN ATHLETE. 33 
 
 Donald we are dealing with Christ. Shall we con- 
 demn Pilate and Herod, and the Roman soldiery 
 and the blinded Jews for crucifying our Lord Jesus 
 Christ, and then turn upon one of his acknowledged 
 followers and condemn him without a hearing; 
 without even so much of a trial as our Savior had? 
 Have I been commissioned in Christ's stead to shep- 
 herd this flock and then desert a fallen sheep be- 
 cause the cry of wolf is heard? Am I a coward to 
 flinch and fly when danger is threatening the fold? 
 What do I care what the world may say of my 
 sheep? 'They are my sheep,' says the Master of 
 us all. Let adversity overtake any one in this pres- 
 ence, and you will find me by your side. Let pub- 
 lic sentiment condemn without judgment or wit- 
 nesses, and my voice shall not be silenced. Let the 
 people hurl their anathemas, let them scorn, and 
 curse, and ridicule ; let them attempt to take by 
 force, but they shall not have one from my fold. 
 
 "Who is the one against whom the wrath of the 
 church is directed? Is he one who has been at open 
 enmity to our interests in the past? Has his means 
 been used on the side of our foe? Has he taken 
 one cent from the poor, or ever been found enjoy- 
 ing the company of the sinner? No; the man is 
 our brother in Christ Jesus. He has been identified 
 with every interest of this church. He has always 
 been ready with his means and personal worth to 
 advance our cause. In his prosperity every one was 
 glad for his presence and thankful for his support. 
 Now a reverse has come into his life, and suddenly 
 a fortune is swept from his hands. Along with the 
 loss of wealth and position has come the heavier 
 loss of his sainted daughter. In addition to all this
 
 34 A FRIEND IN NEED. 
 
 is the rumor of dishonest speculation. Not one 
 word of proof has been offered of his guilt. Is the 
 mission of this church to stand by people in pros- 
 perity and desert them in adversity? Even if our 
 brother were guilty of unjust and unwise specula- 
 tion, should we desert him? Should we leave him 
 to be entirely destroyed by the enemy? Never! 
 Never!! Never!!! If Christ, the great Master of 
 us all, could endure the scorn of men, the agonies 
 of Gethsemane and the suffering of the cross for 
 sinners, surely we ought to be able to endure hard- 
 ness as good soldiers in protecting one who is a 
 Christian. Our swords may be hacked and twisted, 
 our armor may be covered with scars, there may 
 come blood upon our garments, but I beseech you 
 to stand with the Master in caring for the sheep of 
 this fold." 
 
 The eloquent divine broke down and sobbed like 
 a child, and many sobbed with him. In the 
 awkward pause one of those who had signed the 
 call started and all joined in the song: 
 
 Blest be the tie that binds 
 Our hearts in Christian love; 
 
 The fellowship of kindred minds 
 Is like to that above. 
 
 Dr. Carter lifted his arms, pronounced the ben- 
 ediction. He had won his greatest victory.
 
 CHAPTER III. 
 
 THE STRUGGLE FOR WISDOM. 
 
 "Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom: 
 and with all thy getting, get understanding." 
 
 The days of summer were slipping rapidly by, 
 and the leaves were turning a golden brown. On 
 one of these delightful autumn afternoons a fine- 
 looking gentleman called at the McDonald cottage. 
 It was Dr. Habsdorf, president of the Ohio Wes- 
 leyan University. Dr. Carter had been in corre- 
 spondence with President Habsdorf in regard to 
 Everett. The president knew Everett had refused 
 to accept money from Dr. Carter with which to 
 finish his course at the university. He had sug- 
 gested to the president that Everett might be per- 
 suaded to return if an opportunity was given for 
 paying his own way. Everett answered the knock 
 at the door, and received one of his greatest sur- 
 prises. "Well, President Habsdorf ! I am glad to 
 see you. Come in. How did you find us away out 
 here? Just be seated and I will call father and 
 mother." 
 
 Everett hurried out into the arbor to find his par- 
 ents, but they had gone out for a walk. Return- 
 ing, he said: "I am real sorry, but father and 
 
 35
 
 36 thf, struggle for wisdom. 
 
 mother have gone out walking. They will return 
 soon." • 
 
 "Very well," said the president, deeplv gratified, 
 as he was anxious to have a confidential talk with 
 Everett. "Everett, Mrs. Habsdorf and I have 
 thought of you frequently. We are deeply inter- 
 ested in you, and are anxious to have you return 
 and finish your course in the university." 
 
 "I would like to return. I have often thought 
 of the old university, and of you, but I never 
 dreamed you thought of me. Yes, I would like 
 to return, but we have lost everything. I presume 
 you know about our misfortune. No, I can't go 
 back this fall." 
 
 "If it is simply a matter of money, Everett, I 
 think that can be arranged satisfactorily." 
 
 "Yes, it is largely a question of money, but I 
 will not borrow, because there is no immediate pros- 
 pect of repaying -a loan. I could not accept a gift 
 because I am not ready yet to be an object of 
 charity." 
 
 "I'm glad to hear you talk that way, although I 
 would not hesitate to accept a loan to finish the last 
 year of university work. But I'm not going to 
 offer a loan. My proposition is a different one. As 
 you know, Mrs. Habsdorf and I have no children. 
 We have a large house. We need some one to take 
 care of the furnaces. If you are willing to do such 
 work, we will give you two rooms on the third 
 floor, and also a scholarship in the university. You 
 can board yourself and live very cheaply." 
 
 "I like the proposition," said Everett. "I'm not 
 afraid of work; think I would enjoy it. But I 
 must talk the matter over with father and mother."
 
 THE CHRISTIAN ATHLETE. 37 
 
 Mr. and Mrs. McDonald came home about tea 
 time, and found Everett all excitement. They were 
 as much surprised to see President Habsdorf as 
 Everett had been. The president accepted the invi- 
 tation to dine with them. At the table Everett ex- 
 plained Dr. Habsdorf s mission, and for more than 
 an hour the proposition was discussed over the tea- 
 cups. 
 
 Before President Habsdorf left it was decided 
 that Everett should return and finish his work. 
 The college town had an unusual charm, and 
 Everett said he felt sure the old sulphur spring 
 would be to him the fountain of perpetual youth. 
 
 As Everett was to board himself, Mrs. McDon- 
 ald and Liza the next day began to make jams and 
 jellies for Everett to take with him. Everett sat 
 on a stool watching them. His face grew serious 
 as he said : "Mother, don't you think you will be 
 rather lonesome without me? I want to go back, 
 but still I do not fancy leaving you, and father and 
 Liza too." 
 
 "Of course, I shall miss you, my son, but I want 
 you to go back and finish your work. A good edu- 
 cation no man can take from you — you have a bank 
 account that will always pay good interest. Then, 
 if we never recover our fortune, you will be able 
 to care for us when we are old — won't he, Liza ?" 
 
 "Law bless you, chile; de good Lord's gwine to 
 be with us. 'Sides da's no use grievin' over spilt 
 milk. Fse seed de time when I was not simply 
 poor — I was a slave. Fse seen dark days, I guess. 
 Some folks 'lowed as how we'd neber be free like 
 de white folks, but God was just bidin his time. 
 He seed us down da in de cane rows, he heard de
 
 3§ THE STRUGGLE FOR WISDOM. 
 
 cry of his children and he called up Marse Lincoln, 
 jes like he called up Moses, and we marched 
 through anodder sea — a sea of blood. And I'se 
 had a vision. I saw some scoundrels tryin' to choke 
 us. Dey robbed us and clone left us for sure 'nuff 
 dead. And then I saw a man with a sword a flam- 
 in' like fire drivin' out de rascals and handin' back 
 de money ; and I declare before de Lord dat de 
 gemmin looked like Everett. No use laffin, chile ; 
 you' ole mammy's had a sure 'nuff vision. I saw 
 Marse John, de coachman, de odder day, and done 
 tole him we'se gwine back to de mansion some 
 day." 
 
 "Auntie, you are all right," said Everett. "You 
 are an old bundle of sunshine. If I only had you 
 to do my cooking in the college town, run a news- 
 paper to boom me, and to give me a million, I guess 
 I'd have 'a sure 'nuff vision too.' " 
 
 Liza laughed at Everett's fun and stirred vigor- 
 ously away at some apple butter. It had been many 
 days since Mrs. McDonald had put up any fruit, 
 and yet she thoroughly enjoyed the work. She was 
 working for her son, and her unselfish face gleamed 
 with deep satisfaction. She was explaining how 
 to open the fruit cans when Mr. McDonald came 
 in and asked Everett if he would like to take a 
 walk. The suggestion came as a most welcome sur- 
 prise, and Everett almost ran to get his hat. 
 
 As father and son passed out through the arbor 
 arm in arm, Liza could not repress her feelings. 
 
 "Everett is gwine to be a great man, he is. I'se 
 had a vision, I has, and he's gwine to take us back 
 to de mansion. ' Mrs. McDonald said she was not 
 so anxious about going back to the old home. She
 
 THE CHRISTIAN ATHLETE. 39 
 
 was only concerned that the cause of the bank fail- 
 ure be properly placed. Thus they talked on in 
 their work. 
 
 Mr. McDonald and Everett walked leisurely 
 away from the rush of the city to a quiet little nook 
 by the lake. When they were seated, Mr. McDon- 
 ald began to tell Everett about the bank failure. 
 As he unfolded what he knew of the one suspected, 
 Everett's face grew set and firm. His eyes flashed 
 and the nails of his hands were pressed deeply into 
 his palms. The sweat dropped from his face, and 
 at last he rose from his seat and said firmly : "I 
 must expose that man, father." 
 
 "No, no, my son. Sit down. Keep cool. When 
 you have lost command of yourself you cannot 
 command others. I am studying the situation con- 
 tinuously and carefully, and I feel confident that 
 the truth will be known in due time. You may be 
 needed later on. Nor is there urgent need now of 
 outside help. I can make my own investigations, 
 up to a certain point. Besides, I must use carefully 
 what money I have left. Keep your own counsel, 
 tell no one of our suspicions, finish your work at 
 the university, and we will come out all right. Do 
 not waste your time nor misuse your energy." 
 
 "I know, father, but I ought not to go back to 
 the university and leave you alone in this work." 
 
 But as they walked slowly homeward Everett 
 was persuaded that it was his duty to finish his 
 education. He tried to be cheerful, he tried to act 
 as though no great burden was on his heart, but he 
 was eternally changed. His eyes gleamed with a 
 new purpose. His lips became firm set with deter- 
 mination. He seemed to have grown taller, and
 
 40 THB STRUGGLE FOR WISDOM. 
 
 his shoulders broadened. That evening as he 
 came to the table he gripped the chair as if he were 
 strangling a serpent. After supper he slipped out 
 to the book store and purchased a second-hand 
 book. 
 
 A few days later he was up bright and early get- 
 ting ready to go back to college. He did not wait, 
 as was his wont, for his mother to pack his trunk. 
 He packed everything himself. He did not wait 
 for his father and mother to caution him about tak- 
 ing care of himself; he cautioned them. When he 
 went to shake hands good-bye with Liza, he uncon- 
 sciously took such a firm grip that the old servant 
 declared "he had done smashed every bone in her 
 body." With his parents he walked to the Big 
 Four Depot. Mrs. McDonald had to rub her eyes 
 several times to see if it was really Everett who 
 was talking so much like a man. There were many 
 things she expected to say to him, but felt such 
 things useless in his manly presence. He boarded 
 the train and stood looking back until his parents 
 shrank to a speck. Then he went into the car and 
 unwrapped his bundle. The bundle consisted of 
 two books — one his sister Hester's Bible, and the 
 other the second-hand book he had purchased — a 
 copy of Blackstone. Rewrapping the precious 
 Bible, he wa9 soon lost in Blackstone. He had 
 fondly hoped to enter an eastern law school after 
 finishing his university course, but the plan was 
 now abandoned. Yet, after the conversation with 
 his father, he resolved to spend his odd moments 
 on Blackstone, not that he now expected to be a 
 lawyer, but he wanted to have some insight into 
 legal proceedings when the great battle for his
 
 THE CHRISTIAN ATHLETE. 4* 
 
 father's honor was on. He did not notice the pass- 
 ing moments, and even forgot the dainty lunch his 
 mother had prepared for him. He looked up in 
 astonishment when the conductor called the name 
 of the old college town. Slipping the book into his 
 grip, he stepped off the train into the leafy city, 
 but not the same jolly, easy-going lad of a year 
 ago. 
 
 There were several club stewards watching for 
 recruits. Nearly all knew Everett McDonald, and 
 supposed, of course, that he was going to Engle- 
 wood Hall. Yet one tall, dark-haired, broad-shoul- 
 dered fellow from the shaggy hills of West Vir- 
 ginia, who had been out of school three years and 
 had not known Everett, bustled up to him and 
 asked him if he were a new student. The other 
 students stood back of a truck and chuckled at 
 Langly asking Everett McDonald if he were a new 
 student. Then to ask him to board in a club was 
 the richest joke of all. 
 
 "No," said Everett, "I'm not quite a new stu- 
 dent. I've been here three years." 
 
 "O, I beg your pardon !" said Langly. "I am 
 running a club to pay for my board, and I'm anx- 
 ious to get all the fellows I possibly can." 
 
 "I never met you before. Have you been in col- 
 lege long?" 
 
 "Well, I was in four years ago, but I had to 
 drop out to make a little money." 
 
 "Well," said Everett pleasantly, "I'm going to 
 room and board with the president of the univer- 
 sity. I wish you success in your work, and will be 
 glad to meet you again." 
 
 When Everett had disappeared around the cor-
 
 42 THE STRUGGLE FOR WISDOM 
 
 ner, the club stewards surrounded Langly and 
 asked him over and over again what McDonald had 
 said. They were simply astounded when Langly 
 related the conversation, and especially were they 
 surprised at the spirit in which McDonald had re- 
 ceived him. 
 
 That evening at the clubs the whole conversation 
 was about Langly's venture with McDonald. They 
 had heard of the bank failure ; still it was under- 
 stood that Mr. McDonald had saved a snug fortune 
 from the crash. They could not understand why 
 McDonald was going to live with the president of 
 the university. No one was more surprised than 
 Everett's old chum and room-mate, Charles 
 Haskell. 
 
 The next day as Everett was going to the uni- 
 versity to enroll, he met Charles coming up the 
 shaded walk with Miss Helen Day. He half 
 wished they had not seen him. After greeting them 
 Charles asked if he were not coming back to the hall. 
 He had another room-mate, as he understood Everett 
 was not coming back, but there were several single 
 rooms left. Everett thanked him, but said he was 
 very comfortably located in the president's home. 
 Charles said "You have my sympathy living with 
 the president. No such arrangements for me." 
 Everett turned the conversation by asking Miss Day 
 if she had had a pleasant vacation. • Everett had al- 
 ways had a secret admiration for Miss Day ; so had 
 Charles Haskell. Miss Day had a host of admirers, 
 but allowed no one to monopolize her time or atten- 
 tion. How beautiful she looked in her new suit ! 
 "There may be more beautiful and attractive girls," 
 thought Everett, "but I doubt it. But what is the
 
 THE CHRISTIAN ATHLETE. 
 
 use of my thinking of her, only as an acquaintance ? 
 I haven't money or time for such a quest." All this 
 passed through Everett's mind in a moment, but as 
 he looked at her he could not help asking if she had 
 had a pleasant vacation. 
 
 "Yes, indeed I have. I spent my entire vacation 
 in the White Mountains, and I gained continually 
 in health." 
 
 "Just as if you were an invalid !" said Everett. 
 
 This little dialogue was not pleasing to Charles, 
 and he asked Everett what studies he expected to 
 take. Everett gave him his schedule of fourteen 
 hours in the regular course and an extra of three 
 hours in elocution. "What," said Charles, "going 
 to take elocution? What do you want with that 
 stuff? Do you expect to become a public reader? 
 This is surely a rich joke ! I have sixteen hours, and 
 I'm not going to bother with such rot as elocution." 
 
 Everett did not reply to Charles, but asked Miss 
 Day, with a smile, if she had elocution on her sched- 
 ule. Miss Day had not yet decided what she would 
 take. Bidding them adieu, Everett hurried in to 
 register. After talking with one of the professors 
 about his work, he walked out toward Foster Field, 
 where over seventy men were practicing for the reg- 
 ular foot-ball eleven. As Everett stood there he had 
 a longing for the first time in his life to play foot- 
 ball. The hot fever in his veins made him as restless 
 as a Derby three-year-old. He knew the captain, 
 and he might get the loan of a suit for practice. 
 It would at least be good exercise, and he made up 
 his mind to try. That evening he was in the gym- 
 nasium for practice. Gymnasium work had always 
 been a hobby with his old room-mate, and when he
 
 44 THE STRUGGLE FOR WISDOM. 
 
 entered he found Charles tossing the large rubber 
 ball with a half dozen strong fellows. Charles in- 
 vited Everett to join the circle. He accepted, and 
 stepped into the circle next to Charles. The ball 
 started around. As Everett tossed the ball to 
 Charles, Charles said, "Put a little more muscle on 
 the next time, old fellow." When the ball reached 
 Everett again he pulled back the ball and it shot 
 from his arms as straight and swift as if it had been 
 hurled from a catapult. It struck Charles as he 
 was about half turned, and sent him sprawling 
 among the pullies. Every one held his sides in 
 laughter. "Did that have enough muscle on it, old 
 fellow?" asked Everett as Charles again took his 
 place in the circle. Charles tried to laugh as though 
 it were a huge joke, but down in his heart he se- 
 cretly cursed Everett. He felt sure Everett was 
 jealous of him because he had had an afternoon 
 with Miss Day. Besides he still felt incensed be- 
 cause Everett had not replied to his drive about 
 elocution. Everett finished his exercise, took a 
 bath and then hurried to his rooms to prepare for 
 his first recitations, not dreaming of the thought in 
 his old chum's mind. Everett soon had his work 
 done and his mind somehow dwelt on Miss Day's 
 face. She was of an aristocratic family in Colum- 
 bus, and although not rich, she had all her heart 
 could wish. Before his father's failure Everett had 
 some interest in Miss Day, but now he was poor, 
 his father was disgraced, and he had taken a vow 
 to clear his father's name. He could not for a mo- 
 ment turn aside from an avowed path of duty. With 
 such thoughts in his mind he paced to and fro in 
 his room like a caged lion. In the trying times
 
 THE CHRISTIAN ATHI.ETB. 45 
 
 that followed he surely would have gone mad if 
 he had not occupied his mind in his studies, his body 
 in athletics, and his soul in his sister Hester's Bible. 
 Everett spoke to the president the next morn- 
 ing about being a candidate for the College Foot- 
 ball Team. The president recommended the practice. 
 After the interview the president called up the 
 manager of athletics and suggested that Everett 
 McDonald be asked to practice for the regular 
 eleven. Before chapel exercises in the afternoon 
 Everett received a football suit and a note from the 
 manager asking him to come to Foster Field as a 
 candidate for the regular eleven. With the suit 
 tied up under his arm he trudged to the elocution 
 class. When he took his seat in the class he did 
 not look around to see who were in the room. He 
 was lost in his text-book on elocution, and saying 
 to himself, "If elocution is a science and an art, 
 then I guess I'm not so badly off as Charles tried 
 to make out. I do not care what others say, I am 
 going to take this study. I'm no speaker now, but 
 I'll have something to say later on. Suppose I 
 only get the technique. I'll free the channels of 
 expression and then if occasion ever demands I'll 
 be ready." 
 
 In the midst of this reverie the professor in elo- 
 cution began calling the roll. Everett eyed the 
 professor with intense interest and said to himself, 
 "I like his face; he knows how to stand up, and 
 he knows how to articulate. I haven't missed a 
 name yet. If I only learn to articulate I guess my 
 time and money will be well spent." 
 
 Just then the professor called "Miss Helen Day." 
 If the clouds had opened and a voice had spoken
 
 46 the" struggle for wisdom. 
 
 in thunder tones Everett could not have been more 
 thoroughly astounded. Just behind him he heard 
 the familiar musical voice answer, "Present." Ev- 
 erett looked around and smiled. Helen leaned 
 forward and said, "Are you going to take elocu- 
 tion? I'm surprised at you." 
 
 Just then the lecture began and Everett turned 
 to his note book. His ears were fire red. He won- 
 dered if his collar was real clean. Was there any 
 dust on his coat ? Did that pesky lock of hair stick 
 straight up on his head? How he did wish she 
 was not directly behind him. No, he must dismiss 
 such thoughts. He must keep to his mission, he 
 must allow nothing to swerve him from his purpose. 
 He had a few minutes after the lecture before the 
 football practice, and he resolved to talk with Miss 
 Day. 
 
 "Miss Day, have you a few minutes to spare? I 
 would like to talk with you." 
 
 "Certainly, Mr. McDonald. Let us walk out 
 under those elms." 
 
 They were no sooner alone than Everett plunged 
 boldly into what was uppermost in his mind. "Miss 
 Day, I feel that I ought to state frankly to you my 
 situation at the present time. I have only a few 
 minutes, and I'll be brief. You know my father 
 failed in business last year, and I was compelled to 
 leave the University. My father's failure was such 
 a shock to my sister Hester that she died of nervous 
 prostration. All the depositors in the Savings Bank 
 were paid ioo cents on the dollar. It was alleged 
 that my father had been gambling, but a more false 
 statement never came from human lips. If he had 
 been a gambler, if he had been dishonest, he could
 
 THE CHRISTIAN ATHLETE. 47 
 
 have saved all his property ; but he paid every cent. 
 We sold our home on Euclid Avenue in Cleveland, 
 and our home now is an humble little cottage on an 
 obscure street. 1 did not go back to the hall simply 
 because I could not afford to do so. Now, the real 
 reason for my telling you this is to let you know that 
 I cannot do in a social way what my heart would do. 
 I'm not going out in society. I'm here to make every 
 hour count. I expect to try for the football team, 
 but that seems to be necessary. I should be on Fos- 
 ter Field now," he said, and bidding her adieu, he 
 hurried to the gymnasium, and was soon ready for 
 practice. All the candidates who knew young Mc- 
 Donald were rather surprised to see him with a foot- 
 ball suit on. There would be some satisfaction in 
 rolling his pride in the mud. Rolling Everett Mc- 
 Donald in the mud was no easy matter, as the boys 
 soon discovered. In fact, they had never dreamed 
 that he had such strength and was so willing to use 
 it. The captain warned him several times not to 
 play too fiercely. He was not fierce ; he was intense, 
 and this intensity now characterized everything 
 he did. When he studied, he studied with all his 
 might ; when he talked, he talked business ; when he 
 declaimed in the elocution class, he declaimed so 
 loud and strong that the professor had continually 
 to remind him to speak milder and lower ; and when 
 he was on the athletic field, he forgot about all else 
 except carrying the ball behind the posts. When 
 the squad Everett was practicing with was in dan- 
 ger of losing the ball it was given to McDonald, 
 and he was sure to gain ground. It was no sur~ 
 prise to the boys, therefore, when Everett was se- 
 lected for the fullback on the regular eleven.
 
 48 THE STRUGGLE FOR WISDOM. 
 
 When he was selected for the regular eleven he 
 was given a place at the regular training table. It 
 was a very agreeable change, for he had not been 
 a great success at cooking. \ et there was all the 
 fruit and jams brought from home, and what was 
 he to do with them? It was the first time since his 
 father's failure that he had been embarrassed by 
 plenty. That night, as he was about to retire, he 
 unwrapped the precious book, as was his custom, and 
 read. He had been reading very systematically in 
 the Old Testament, and every day Moses had grown 
 to be a larger man. He liked his fiery zeal, his fierce 
 enterprise, still he would conclude by reading over 
 those chapters that Hester's tears had stained, and 
 retire praying for the mind of Jesus. The next 
 morning he awoke with the first streaks of light, 
 and was ready for his morning walk. He remem- 
 bered, as he was about to leave his room, a poor 
 family on the road out to the driving park. Some- 
 how Christ's words came to him, "Feed my sheep." 
 Still he did not imagine Christ meant for him to 
 go to hunting out the poor and feeding them jellies. 
 He must have had a deeper thought than that. No 
 matter, a good glass of jelly might make that poor 
 family feel happy, so he took a glass in his hand and 
 started out on his walk. He soon came to the little 
 hut and found the family up. He knocked on the 
 door and was admitted into the poverty-stricken 
 house. It was a bare, dirty room. The water had 
 soaked through the roof and left dim outlines of 
 ghosts on the walls. The two children held to their 
 mother's dress and peeped out at the stranger. The 
 husband and father was a degraded looking wretch. 
 It was easy enough to guess that his hard-earned
 
 THE CHRISTIAN ATHLETE. 49 
 
 money went for rum. Everett said that his mother 
 had sent him some jellies, and he thought he would 
 give them a glass if they would accept it. Of course 
 they accepted. Everett tarried just a moment, and 
 finally said: "You have no books, have you? 
 Would you like a book? Well, I will bring you one 
 tomorrow morning." The next morning Everett 
 stopped with another glass of jelly and a book. It 
 was Part I of the Twentieth Century New Testa- 
 ment. Everett read a little from the book, and then 
 hurried on in his walk. The husband picked up the 
 book and looked at it. Then he read a little in it. 
 Finally he said : "Wife, this is an odd way of put- 
 ting the Bible. I never cared to read the Bible be- 
 fore, but I can understand this. Suppose I read a 
 few verses ?" He read out of the magic book. There 
 had been drunken oaths before in that house ; now 
 the voice of Christ was heard. He read four chap- 
 ters in Acts. They ate their breakfast in silence, 
 for both were thinking of the time in their lives when 
 the Bible had been read in their homes, when their 
 parents had family worship, and when they were 
 happy. The curse of rum had come into their lives, 
 they had fallen lower and lower, and at last in pov- 
 erty and disgrace they were ready to curse God and 
 die. The next morning when Everett came with a 
 glass of fruit they told him their history. With tears 
 in his eyes Everett took the little volume he had 
 presented them and read from John— "If you love 
 me, you will lay my commands to heart, and I will 
 ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper, 
 to be with you always — I mean the Spirit of Truth. 
 The world cannot receive this spirit because it does 
 not see him or recognize him, but you recognize him, 
 because he is always with you, and is within you. I
 
 50 THE STRUGGLE FOR WISDOM. 
 
 will not leave you bereaved ; I will come to you. In 
 a little while the world will see me no more, but you 
 will still see me, because I am always living and, you 
 will be living also. It is those who have my com- 
 mands and lay them to heart that love me ; and those 
 who love me will be loved by my Father, and I, too, 
 will love them, and will reveal myself to them." 
 
 Kneeling down on the bare floor, he lifted his 
 voice to the Great Shepherd of the sheep and prayed 
 for Christ to reveal himself to each one of them in 
 convicting and converting power. When he con- 
 cluded, the mother attempted to pray, but could only 
 say "Lord be merciful to me, a sinner," and then 
 sobbed aloud. No one attempted to arise. The chil- 
 dren huddled closer to their mother and made no 
 sound. A moment more, and the husband began a 
 prayer that tore aside the fastenings of sin and ena- 
 bled him to walk with Christ. "I am a sinful man, 
 O, Lord. I have often thought of you, but still I 
 was never before willing to get down on my knees. 
 Forgive me for my stubbornness, pardon me for all 
 the heartaches and poverty I have brought into my 
 home. O, God, help me to live right and bring up 
 these children as Christians. Now, O, God, I haven't 
 the money to go to an institute to be cured of the 
 drink habit ; I know you can cure me without that. 
 Now, God, help me never to take another drop of 
 rum. I will never say another unkind word to my 
 wife, and I will take my children to Sunday school 
 every Sunday, and now I want you to bless this 
 young man and help him to help others as he has 
 helped us." Everett wiped the tears from his 
 happy face and went forth rejoicing with the angels 
 over that prayer meeting. He thought of the inci- 
 dent all dav long. He thought of it when he got
 
 THE CHRISTIAN ATHLKTB. 51 
 
 his lesson. He thought of it when he re- 
 cited. He thought of it on the athletic field 
 when he pushed and tugged against his worthy op- 
 ponents. What thought seemed to be with him 
 most? Was it the fact that he had carried jelly and 
 fruit to that poor family ; was it the fact that he had 
 given them a Bible and finally led them to Christ? 
 No ; it was the last sentence of that man coming out 
 into the dawning light — "God, help this young man 
 to help others as he has helped us." 
 
 Could he do it? Was he able to do such work? 
 Did God really want him to do such work ? 
 
 The president had a reception at his home that 
 night, and expected Everett to be one of the guests, 
 but he did not appear. About 9 o'clock Mrs. Habs- 
 dorf said she supposed Mr. McDonald had denied 
 himself to get his lessons, so she took some ice 
 cream, cake and a glass of lemonade up to his room. 
 She did not trust the servant with the mission, but 
 went herself. She rapped gently on the door, but 
 there was no response. She waited a few moments 
 and rapped again. "He must be out," she thought. 
 Well, she would put the tray on his table, and per- 
 haps he would return in time to enjoy her remem- 
 brance. She opened the door to step in, but could 
 not enter. Everett McDonald had gone to sleep on 
 his knees at his bedside with his tear-stained cheek 
 on the open pages of sister Hester's Bible. Pulling 
 the door gently to, she hurried down to the study. 
 
 That night there was rejoicing not alone in that 
 cottage at the edge of the city, not alone in the pres- 
 ident's home, for the angels in heaven had watched 
 the young man with his disciplined mind and giant 
 strength consecrate himself to Christ's work and 
 sink down exhausted, saying, "I will."
 
 CHAPTER IV. 
 
 A PRICELESS JEWEL. 
 
 "For her price is far above rubies." 
 
 Helen Day stood for several minutes under the 
 big elms, looking in the direction Everett McDonald 
 had gone after telling her so frankly of his sorrow 
 and embarassment. The tears stood in her big 
 brown eyes and she said to herself, "I wish I could 
 have spoken and told him how sorry I am for him. 
 Still, I'm glad he didn't see my tears." She walked 
 slowly and thoughtfully to the Hall by a back street. 
 Her sympathies had never been so deeply stirred 
 before. She was wondering what she could do. 
 
 That evening her girls friends teased her about 
 being so sober. Was she in love, or had she been 
 disappointed in. love,, or was she studying whether or 
 not to get in love? Helen only smiled at their jests. 
 She studied over the matter all evening, and finally 
 decided that it would not be improper to send Mr. 
 McDonald a lettter expressing her sympathy. The 
 next day the following letter reached Everett in his 
 lonely room : 
 
 "Dear Mr. McDonald:— 
 
 "I suppose you thought I did not appreciate your frank- 
 
 52
 
 THE CHRISTIAN ATHLETE. 53 
 
 ness today when you told me of your grief and struggles. 
 Indeed, I did ; but you did not give me time to express 
 myself. You have my deepest sympathy, and I trust you 
 will not feel any embarrassment because of the lack of 
 money. I shall be glad to walk with you any time you 
 have the leisure. Believe me, very truly your friend, 
 
 "Helen Day." 
 
 Everett read, re-read, and read again. 
 
 The next week was an eventful one in college 
 life. The university eleven was to meet its great 
 rival upon the athletic field. The day for the con- 
 test dawned bright and beautiful. Both elevens had 
 met their minor opponents and had scored about 
 equally against them. College spirit ran high, and 
 even the old professor in Greek had two tickets for 
 the game. 
 
 The great crowd filled every available seat. On 
 one side of that vast amphitheatre was massed the 
 loyal supporters of the home team, with their crim- 
 son and jet flags, their megaphones and willing 
 throats, ever ready to aid in the college cheer. On 
 the opposite side were the no less enthusiastic rivals, 
 with their flags of blue and orange. The end stands 
 were taxed to their fullest capacities, and the sea of 
 mingled flags told plainly enough that there were 
 few non-partisans. First came the eleven Titan 
 rivals through the opening under the north stand. 
 Their entrance was the signal for intense enthusi- 
 asm. In the midst of the cheers came the eleven 
 braves of the home team. As the two teams ran to 
 the center of the field, the entire audience of 20,000 
 stood upon their seats, waved hats, flags, handker- 
 chiefs, blew horns and gave cheer after cheer. The 
 toss was won by the home team and they chose the 
 east goal, securing a slight advantage in wind. As
 
 54 A PRICELESS JEWEL. 
 
 the two teams lined up the crowd sat down with fast 
 beating hearts. The ball shot into the air, twenty- 
 two men rushed in its direction, and the battle royal 
 was on. The teams were more evenly matched than 
 had been supposed. At no time in the first half of 
 the game was either goal in danger. Notwithstand- 
 ing the closeness of the game, every minute was 
 thrilling. Not once did the spectators on the four 
 towering tiers take their eyes from that battle of the 
 giants. The elevens worked together as if they were 
 mighty machines, pushing, tugging, weaving and 
 never tiring. The first half ended with the ball in 
 the center of the field, in the hands of the rivals. 
 
 In the second half both teams came back to the 
 gridiron determined to win. The ball shot into the 
 air again. After a fumble or two, the quarter-back 
 of the rival team picked up the ball, quick as a 
 flash, and started toward the coveted goal. The 
 audience arose as one man. The little quarter-back 
 covered ten yards without halting, ten more, twenty 
 more, and it did seem as if the field was clear, but 
 one fellow who had played back was fully awake to 
 the danger. He brushed aside the interference, and 
 like a swift panther of the jungle brought the quar- 
 ter-back to the ground. Now thoroughly aroused 
 by their gain, the rivals plunged through the center, 
 then around the ends, a double pass, and before the 
 home team could realize it the ball was planted be- 
 hind the goal posts. The try for goal failed, and the 
 score stood 5 to o in favor of the rival team. Then 
 came the old contest over again in the center of the 
 field. In one of the rushes one man sprained his 
 ankle. While the ankle was being rubbed Everett 
 McDonald looked up at the grand stand, not twenty
 
 the; christian athlete. 
 
 feet away, and saw Helen Day, with her father and 
 Charles Haskell sitting on the second row. Helen 
 motioned to him. As Everett hurried up, Helen 
 said : 
 
 "Mr. McDonald, can't you win the game ?" 
 
 "Not sure. We have made several gains lately, 
 but the prospects are not very bright. We have the 
 ball on the next try, but that team is like a stone 
 wall." 
 
 "O ! but you must win !" said Helen, excitedly. 
 "Here is a red carnation," and then said in a whis- 
 per, so that only Everett heard, "for my sake, carry 
 the carnation to victory behind the goal posts." The 
 whistle sounded again, and the two teams struggled 
 once more without a gain. 
 
 "Only five minutes left of the second half," some 
 one said. Everett McDonald asked for the ball. 
 On the next play it was snapped back to him. The 
 two teams rushed together again, winding around 
 as a mighty corkscrew. All at once McDonald shot 
 out from that winding mass and toward the coveted 
 goal. One man clutched at McDonald's side and 
 went sprawling to the ground. Like baffled beasts 
 of prey that moving mountain of muscle leaped into 
 the path of that daring runner. Twice McDonald 
 was hurled to the ground, but twice succeeded in 
 gaining his feet. He fought toward the north, then 
 changed to the south, leaving his path strewn with 
 struggling gladiators. At last he was thrown on 
 his opponents' fifteen-yard line. Before he could 
 be pinned to the earth he had crawled five yards 
 further toward the goal. One minute left, and ten 
 more yards to gain. Both sides were desperate. 
 The great multitude swayed and roared and howled
 
 56 A PRICELESS JEWEL 
 
 like the sea in a storm. Everett McDonald called 
 again for the ball and an opening through left 
 guard. As the ball shot back into McDonald's arms, 
 his companions, with one last mighty effort, hurled 
 their opponents from their footing, and the red car- 
 nation was planted behind the goal posts. The score 
 now stood 5 to 5, with the home team to try for 
 goal. 
 
 The captain of the team, lying prostrate on the 
 ground, held the ball for McDonald's try for goal. 
 The frantic multitude hushed into silence. Every 
 eye was riveted on that sight. Every heart beat 
 fast. Every spectator held his breath, and was as 
 intent on that kick as if the fate of empires hung in 
 the balance. McDonald drew back his foot, and that 
 vast multitude leaned forward with every muscle 
 set. He kicked, intentionally missing the ball. Ev- 
 erett laughed at his companions, who were shaking 
 with nervousness. The great multitude seemed to 
 relax a little. Then he stepped back, the smile faded 
 from his face, his eyes gleamed with their familiar 
 fire, and every muscle was drawn tight. Stepping 
 forward quick as a flash, he kicked the ball as 
 squarely between the goal posts as if it had been 
 shot from a rifle barrel, and the home team had 
 won. Who can picture the wild scene of joy that 
 followed? As McDonald was borne on the shoul- 
 ders of his shouting friends, he glanced in the direc- 
 tion of Helen Day, and smiled. Captain Day was 
 a shrewd observer. He had seen his daughter give 
 the red carnation. He saw the scowl on Charles 
 Haskell's face as Everett was carried past, but could 
 not help admiring the hero who had won the day. 
 Still he was not entirely carried away, for he knew
 
 THE CHRISTIAN ATHLETE. 57 
 
 that it took more than football skill to win in the 
 great struggle of life. That evening, when he and 
 Helen were alone at dinner, he asked about the hero 
 of the day. Helen colored slightly and said that 
 Mr. McDonald was one of her friends. She did not 
 care to go into details, because her father was so 
 very particular about her associates. He wanted 
 her to go with no poor boys, and only the very best 
 of the rich. 
 
 That evening, as he went back to the hotel, he 
 met Charles Haskell going nearly the same direc- 
 tion. The thought at once occurred to him to ask 
 particularly about the young man to whom his 
 daughter had been such an inspiration. 
 
 Charles immediately saw a coveted opportunity 
 for getting even with his ex-chum. His jealous 
 nature was intoxicated by his chance. 
 
 "Well, Mr. Day, I don't know that I am a compe- 
 tent judge. I used to room with McDonald and we 
 were warm friends, but he has acted so strangely 
 since his father's disgrace that — " 
 
 "Disgrace !" said Captain Day, thoroughly aston- 
 ished. "What do you mean?" 
 
 "Now, Mr. Day, I did not mean to tell you that 
 part of it." 
 
 "Go on," said Captain Day. "What you tell me 
 will be held in confidence." 
 
 "Well, Everett McDonald's father was president 
 of the Savings Bank in Cleveland. He got every- 
 body's confidence by being an elder in the Presby- 
 terian church. He took the deposits for gambling 
 and wrecked the bank." 
 
 "The rascal !" said Captain Day. 
 
 "Then," continued Charles, "for some strange rea-
 
 58 A PRICELESS JEWEL. 
 
 son — I suppose sympathy — the president of the 
 university has taken McDonald into his home. Mc- 
 Donald has some very poor relatives in this city. I 
 don't see why he didn't go there." 
 
 "I presume," said the Captain, "he is ashamed of 
 his poor relatives." 
 
 "O, no! If you will remain in this city until 
 morning I can show you how he enjoys the com- 
 pany of those who are shunned by everybody." 
 
 Captain Day was deeply interested and aroused. 
 Why should his daughter countenance such a fel- 
 low ? While he could not say she regarded him other 
 than as a friend, he felt quite sure, from all he had 
 seen and heard, that the scamp was in love with 
 Helen. He decided he would go with Charles the 
 next morning. 
 
 Charles Haskell had discovered, by the merest 
 accident, Everett's visits to the cottage, and had 
 concluded that such regular visits could only be 
 made to sympathetic relatives. 
 
 Early the next morning, according to agreement, 
 Captain Day and Charles Haskell were ready for 
 their inspecting tour. "It is just barely possible," 
 said Charles, "that he may not take his usual trip 
 after that hard work of yesterday." But just as 
 they came within sight of the president's home they 
 saw Everett go out of the side door and start out 
 the well-worn path toward the driving park. 
 
 After a brisk walk they came to a sheltered spot 
 from which they could easily watch the cottage 
 where Charles said Everett was accustomed to visit. 
 It was only a log hut, but stood in strange contrast 
 to the other huts. There was a lawn, there were 
 beautiful flowers, there were honeysuckles growing
 
 THE CHRISTIAN ATHLETE. 59 
 
 over the door, there were curtains up at the window. 
 Captain Day had hardly time to observe these things 
 before the door swung open and young McDonald 
 came out. The husband and wife, with their two 
 children, stood in the doorway, the picture of happi- 
 ness. As Everett went out the gate the children 
 threw him kisses with their little dimpled hands. 
 At the bend in the road, just before he passed from 
 view, he turned and lifted his cap to the family in 
 the doorway. 
 
 With scowling face Captain Day walked back to 
 the hotel. He said little except to thank Charles 
 Haskell very warmly for his kindness. He was 
 vexed, yes angry, to think Helen countenanced such 
 a fellow. And he was doubly mad to think that the 
 president of the university was harboring him. He 
 had neither wish nor time to talk with Helen, as he 
 was in an ugly frame of mind. The next day he 
 sent the following note from his office in Columbus : 
 
 "My Dear Daughter: — 
 
 "While visiting you I could not fail to notice your in- 
 terest in young McDonald, who, through your gift, became 
 the hero of that most interesting and exciting game. I 
 made some very thorough investigations in regard to the 
 young man, and I am warranted in warning: you against 
 cultivating his friendship. I am sure you will value a 
 father's advice and not accept his company at any time. 
 "Your loving father, 
 
 "J. W. Day." 
 
 Everett and Helen walked out of the elocution 
 class together the day after the exciting game. As 
 the football season was over, they walked not a half- 
 hour, but two hours and a half. They sauntered 
 down the long, shady lane to the bank of the stream.
 
 60 A PRICELESS JEWEL. 
 
 The giving and receiving of that red carnation was 
 fraught with deeper significance than that which 
 the keen eye of Captain Day had observed. From 
 that moment the shallow flow of sympathy between 
 them changed into the ever-widening stream of 
 abiding love. As they sat there on that mossy bank 
 Helen listened to the familiar but never common- 
 place story. They tried to look into the future and 
 count the cost. 
 
 The next day Helen received her father's note. 
 The blood rushed to her cheeks and she bit her lips. 
 Finally, she said, "Father will be reasonable, I 
 know." On the next mail Captain Day received the 
 following : 
 
 "Dear Father: — "Do not worry about me. 
 
 "Lovingly, Helen." 
 
 The days soon slipped by, and after the mid-yeaT 
 examinations Helen went home on her vacation. 
 Captain Day had been informed that a very warm 
 attachment existed between his daughter and Ever- 
 ett McDonald. When Helen reached home she 
 found all plans formed for a sojourn abroad with her 
 mother. She protested, and said she wanted to re- 
 turn and finish her year's work, but Captain Day 
 said she must go with her mother. Nothing was 
 said in regard to Everett McDonald, but Helen sus- 
 pected the design of the trip. She went to her room 
 and burst out crying. What should she do? After 
 much thought she sealed a tear-stained letter to 
 Everett and was ready to go. 
 
 Uncle Rufus, the old colored servant, was to ac- 
 company Helen and Mrs. Day on their trip. Cap- 
 tain Day said that Rufus was just the one to go. 
 Rufus had been in the Day family for over fifteen
 
 the christian athlete 6i 
 
 years, and he was especially fond of doing- Helen's 
 bidding. Captain Day had had several confidential 
 talks with Rufus, and explained carefully what he 
 was to do on the trip. He was a good servant and 
 had never disobeyed his master. He had been thor- 
 oughly impressed with the idea that he was to save 
 Helen by preventing her letters from reaching 
 Everett McDonald. Rufus was given to understand 
 that McDonald was the son of a rascal, was poor, 
 and found his chief enjoyment in associating with 
 the disreputable. This was sufficient. Mrs. Day 
 was not so sure about her dislike to the young man 
 whom she had never met. She simply allowed her 
 husband to have his own way. 
 
 The day for leaving home was a miserably dreary 
 one. Helen's pale face and red eyes told plainly 
 that a burden was on her heart. Captain Day tried 
 to be cheerful, but his levity passed away every time 
 he encountered Helen's pathetic look. 
 
 The trip across the ocean was rather rough, and 
 as Uncle Rufus was a poor sailor, he said several 
 times that he wanted to go back. After several days 
 on the water he was able to crawl on deck. He 
 looked out over the wide stretch of the sea and re- 
 marked to Helen : "I neva 'sposed tha's as much 
 wata in the wuld. I done believes dis ocean's as big 
 as de state of Ohio. You don't 'spose tha's any 
 danger of de vessel hittin' on de bottom? Is tha 
 any life preservers on board?" 
 
 "Rufus, you have queer notions of Ohio. I'm not 
 sure ?bout the life preservers on this boat being able 
 to float yoa, but there is another Ohio man on the 
 ship, and perhaps you can get one of his inflated 
 ideas and strap it around your waist. I know you 
 will be safe then."
 
 62 A PRICELESS JEWEL. 
 
 " 'Deed, Miss Helen, Ohio ideas has been pretty 
 good life preservers, don't you reckon so?" 
 
 Mrs. Day thought they had better read the history 
 of the countries they were going to visit instead of 
 sharpening their wits for repartee. 
 
 It was a relief to all when they landed in London. 
 It was agreed that they should visit in England, Ire- 
 land, Scotland, Germany, Switzerland, Italy, and 
 then go to the Holy Land. Helen was a puzzle to 
 her mother. Everywhere they went she was com- 
 pletely absorbed in social conditions. She wanted to 
 know especially about what was being done for the 
 unchurched masses. With Rufus as her guard she 
 went into the most dangerous places, into the homes 
 of the poorest natives to find what was being done 
 for their salvation. Leaving the panoramic moun- 
 tains of Switzerland, they said, with Paul, "I must 
 also see Rome." Standing on a sacred hill in one 
 of the matchless Italian sunsets, Helen read from 
 the deathless words of that heroic apostle who was 
 not afraid of a frowning world. Mrs. Day was 
 willing to remain in Italy, but Helen said Italy was 
 not the end but the beginning. She had a yearning 
 she could only partly explain to see the sacred, the 
 Holy Land. What a wonderful journey it was! 
 Helen saw nothing commonplace nor uninteresting. 
 They passed through Alexandria, the gateway into 
 Egypt, and were soon amid the ruins of the oldest 
 civilization of the world. The magic Nile, the tow- 
 ering pyramids — "memorials of the world's youth," 
 the silent sphinx, the broken columns, and ruined 
 cities, rose before them with their own strange 
 story. But this was not all, for other visions came 
 to Helen. She saw Joseph stand unspotted amid
 
 THE CHRISTIAN ATHLETE. 63 
 
 the corruptions and idolatry of a mighty court ; she 
 saw Moses exchange a monarch's crown for a shep- 
 herd's staff ; she saw the birth of history as an op- 
 pressed people moved out toward a promised land. 
 Standing under an old tree at Heliopolis there rose 
 before her vision the child Jesus as He once rested 
 there with Joseph and Mary secure from the wrath 
 of Herod. Then, becoming one of the Israelites, 
 she moved from the bustle of the land of the Pha- 
 raohs out into the solemn grandeur and silence of 
 the Sinaitic Peninsula. It did not seem strange now 
 that God had chosen such a place as a training school 
 for the Israelites. Especially did it seem fitting 
 that such sublime creations as the Pentateuch, the 
 90th Psalm, and the poem of Job should have here 
 shaped themselves into the leaden alphabet of human 
 speech. Even Rufus took off his hat as they gazed 
 up and up at the mountain where Sinai swung like 
 a pot of incense in a sea of blue. After a rest under 
 the famous oak of Abraham, about two miles from 
 Gaza, they were ready for entrance into the land 
 flowing with milk and honey. From the top of a 
 hill, after some travel, they looked down on Hebron 
 with its rich setting of vines and trees, its flowers 
 and fruit ; then they rode on over the "hilly country 
 of Judea" and thought of David in his wanderings 
 and Mary in her song. When they came to the 
 pools of Solomon they knew they were not far from 
 the cave in Bethlehem where the Savior of the world 
 was born, not far from the place where the angelic 
 choir sang to the shepherds of God's glory and 
 earth's peace. Her pen trembled in her hand as she 
 tried to wi ite of her impressions while walking amid 
 the surroundings and among the ruins of Jerusalem.
 
 64 A PRICELESS JEWEL. 
 
 Churches, cathedrals and tombs ; valleys, rivers and 
 lakes, were to her the voices of sirens. Mrs. Day 
 and Rufus followed her never weary feet through 
 the Holy Sepulcher, across the Kedron valley, into 
 the home of Martha and Mary, and finally to the 
 Mount of Olives. She had a copy of Josephus and 
 the Bible, but her eyes so filled with tears that the 
 faithful mother was compelled to read for her. 
 
 One morning, as they were drinking in for the 
 last time the wonderful scenes that swept before 
 their gaze, Helen's mind wandered beyond the dis- 
 tant horizon, and she thought of the one whose life 
 and plans were part of her own. It would have been 
 a deep pleasure to have heard from him, and yet she 
 was not worried by his silence. Her trip abroad 
 had not been desired on her part, yet now in the 
 quiet of her thoughts she knew God was schooling 
 her. in the lands of history and song and prophecy 
 for the life she and Everett had pledged together 
 that afternoon in the old college town. She looked 
 away from the things of sense and time and saw the 
 crucified and risen Savior. She again counted the 
 cost of the life she had pledged, and falling on her 
 knees, she again renewed her vows. As that lonely 
 girl in that sacred land was kneeling among those 
 gnarled olive trees, He who had there sweat the 
 bloody sweat years before, stooped, and listened 
 and smiled.
 
 CHAPTER V. 
 
 THE DIVINE WRESTLER. 
 
 "Waxed valiant in fight." 
 
 Everett McDonald's activity did not cease with 
 the close of the football season. Every morning, 
 rain or shine, he took his run out to the driving park. 
 If Captain Day and Charles Haskell had followed 
 him out, week after week, they would have seen 
 improvements going on at other cottages than the 
 one they had observed, and they would also have 
 seen that more than one family stood in the doorway 
 to wave to the athlete as he turned the bend in the 
 road. 
 
 His activity in the gymnasium was also marked. 
 His intense nature found delight in wrestling, box- 
 ing and fencing. Even the instructors were forced 
 to admit his superior ability. He had also become a 
 great favorite among the Y. M. C. A. boys on ac- 
 count of his enthusiastic work. The boys, using a 
 football phrase, said that when McDonald tackled 
 one of the fellows, he always brought him to his 
 knees. Before the close of the year every member 
 of the famous football team was an active worker in 
 the association. Everett had a manly, business-like 
 
 65
 
 66 the divine wrestler. 
 
 way of talking to the boys, and because of his own 
 deep experience he usually prevailed. 
 
 In the class-room Everett's intensity was even 
 more marked. Whether the problems were hard or 
 the lessons long, he never complained. His only 
 concern was to have his lessons when the hour ar- 
 rived. He seemed to be entirely oblivious to the 
 grumbling, shirking and cheating going on around 
 him. He was not entirely lost to all things, however. 
 One of the most promising fellows in the graduat- 
 ing class seemed to find his supreme difficulty in 
 mathematics. He was accustomed to use unfair 
 methods in reciting. One day, after class, Everett 
 asked the struggling classmate if he cared to study 
 with him for the next recitation. They worked the 
 lesson out, and the next day the fellow recited hon- 
 estly and with a happy face. From that time on not 
 a dishonest act characterized that student's life. 
 He never received a rebuke from Everett at any time 
 during the year. Sympathy and a helping hand ac- 
 complished what rebuke never could have accom- 
 plished. Such wholesome, tactful Christianity made 
 McDonald's life a holy inspiration to all his associ- 
 ates. Especially was he courteous and kind toward 
 Charles Haskell. When the day came for the gradu- 
 ating class to elect commencement speakers, every 
 one unanimously agreed that McDonald should be 
 chosen the class orator. When the time came for his 
 nomination and election, McDonald rose before any- 
 one else could speak, and said : "Mr. President and 
 fellow-classmates : — Some friends have spoken 
 kindly to me about this position as class orator. It 
 is a great honor to be chosen by one's fellows, and 
 the honor should not be lightly put aside. But,
 
 the christian athlete. 67 
 
 classmates, if you were kind enough to choose me, 
 there are circumstances which will prevent my ac- 
 ceptance. I have in mind one, however, who has 
 honored our class on other occasions, and I would 
 like to present his name for your consideration. 
 Four years ago I formed the acquaintance of one 
 of the newcomers, and we became fast friends. Our 
 lots were cast together, and I found him a scholar 
 worthy of confidence and esteem. During the last 
 year we have not been so intimate, simply because 
 of my financial condition, but our friendship has not 
 been impaired. If you wish to honor me you can do 
 so by honoring my friend, Charles Haskell, as class 
 orator." Charles received a unanimous vote. As 
 he crossed the room to take Everett by the hand and 
 thank him, the class rose as one man and cheered 
 the two fellows. Tears trickled down Haskell's face 
 as he said in a low voice, "Everett, I'm not worthy 
 of such friendship." "Yes you are, Charles. God 
 bless you in your effort." 
 
 On commencement day Everett sat on the back 
 seat, perfectly contented. He did not tell any one 
 but President Habsdorf why he could not take the 
 place as class orator. His father and mother could 
 not afford to come, and, furthermore, he was not 
 able to invest in a new suit. 
 
 After commencement exercises were over, Everett 
 packed his trunk and was ready for his journey 
 home. He was to leave the next morning. That 
 night there was a memorable prayer meeting out at 
 the edge of the college town in that first cottage 
 Everett had entered. Six other families had met for 
 the last prayer meeting with this student friend. 
 Who will ever be able to paint the picture of that
 
 68 THE DIVINE WRESTLER. 
 
 night ? Seven families, redeemed through his ef- 
 forts, looked up into his manly face and drank in 
 every word of his parting exhortation. Great tears 
 silently chased each other down their cheeks, and 
 every heart was sending up a silent prayer. 
 
 As they knelt together they were all of one accord 
 in one place. It was not necessary to have a beauti- 
 ful mansion with walls of jasper and streets of gold 
 to appreciate God's power. As the hundred and 
 forty and four thousand surrounded the throne of 
 God that hour, one sweet singer among the saints 
 and angels sang with added power and sweetness, 
 "Glory to God in the highest." 
 
 As Everett left the cottage the children clung to 
 him with one hand, and with the other rubbed the 
 big tears out of their eyes. 
 
 The president, the next morning, insisted on Ever- 
 ett's eating his last meal with them. They had fam- 
 ily prayer. The president, Mrs. Habsdorf and Ev- 
 erett, each in turn, lifted up their voices to the great 
 Shepherd of the sheep. They ate breakfast without 
 speaking a word. The president and his wife, with 
 dimmed eyes, watched him until he disappeared in 
 the distance. He passed through the old college 
 campus and stopped to take one deep draught from 
 the old sulphur spring. 
 
 He boarded the last coach on the train and was 
 ready for home. Either he was unusually anxious 
 or the train was unusually slow. He moved up into 
 the next coach in order to be a little nearer home, 
 then the next and next, until finally he stood tremb- 
 ling in the baggage car. At the next stop he climbed 
 up into the cab of the engine. "What do you want, 
 young man ?" asked the big-hearted engineer.
 
 THE CHRISTIAN ATHLETE. ^9 
 
 "Well, I've been away to college and haven't seen 
 my folks for almost a year, and I'm too restless to 
 stay in the coaches. Can't I ride here?" The en- 
 gineer thought of his boy, hurrying home from a 
 distant college, and although it was against the 
 rules, he motioned Everett to a seat in the cab 
 window. 
 
 Like a thing of life that powerful locomotive 
 leaped over the shining rails, across valleys, through 
 tunnels, and around dangerous curves. With every 
 turn of the big drive wheels Everett became more 
 anxious. Those fast flying pistons seemed with 
 each succeeding motion to pump him fuller and 
 fuller of restless anxiety. 
 
 He pulled his cap down tight on his head and 
 leaned out of the cab window and peered into the 
 distance to catch the first glimpse of home. When 
 the engine swung into the big depot it was hard to 
 tell who was the Happier, Everett or his parents. 
 The big engineer watched them a moment and then 
 turned and looked out the opposite side of his cab. 
 As they neared the little cottage home, Everett ex- 
 pected to see Liza, the colored servant, out at the 
 gate with her big heart in her face. Liza had been 
 out at the gate, but when she caught the first 
 glimpse of Everett her heart got into her eyes an'* 
 she rushed back into the house, stepping on the cat's 
 tail and upsetting a bucket of spring water. She 
 was mopping up the water as Everett came in, and 
 declared that the water flew into her eyes, which she 
 hadn't had time to wipe. 
 
 In the evening Mrs. McDonald took Everett into 
 Liza's room and showed him the letters he had writ- 
 ten home. Liza insisted on keeping all the letters
 
 70 THE DIVINE WRESTLER. 
 
 that came so promptly and thoughtfully from him 
 while he was- in school. 
 
 Mr. McDonald had not been idle during Everett's 
 absence, but he had done all he possibly could do 
 until he had more money. He knew he could be 
 thoroughly vindicated and the blame placed if he 
 only had the means. 
 
 Everett felt that he must go to work at once to 
 earn the money. An unexpected opportunity came 
 to go to Boston with a carload of fine horses. After 
 considerable discussion in the McDonald cottage, 
 Everett decided to go. If he could secure profitable 
 employment he would remain awhile. If not, he 
 would return in a few days. Everett no sooner ar- 
 rived in Boston than he began to look for work. He 
 went to one of the wharfs and was engaged at once 
 for $2.50 per day for the morning shift in loading 
 ships. The men were not the kind Everett was 
 used to associating with, but they were good-hearted 
 if not cultured. They soon discovered that he was 
 unused to manual labor, and played several pranks 
 on him. One morning one stalwart fellow said he 
 felt as though he could push any man's shoulders to 
 the floor, and started for Everett. Instead of run- 
 ning, Everett wheeled quickly, and the burly oppon- 
 ent found himself in a grip of steel. Before he 
 could make a creditable defense Everett pitched him 
 upon his head and shoulders. The fellow took it 
 good-naturedly, and all agreed that Everett was a 
 royal good fellow. 
 
 Instead of going to one of the fine churches on 
 Sunday, he went through the slums, wondering how 
 he could be of use to the Master. He found a Bap- 
 tist mission without a leader. The Baptist Society
 
 THE CHRISTIAN ATHLETE. 7 1 
 
 had been paying $30 per month for the work. Ever- 
 ett went to see the secretary of the society and of- 
 fered his services. He said that he was not a min- 
 ister, but that he knew how to work with the poor. 
 He was so earnest and anxious that the secretary 
 engaged him for one month. The room where the 
 meetings were held was not very inviting. Everett 
 began by scrubbing the "floor and cleaning the win- 
 dows. Then he asked for some clean hymn books 
 and some new Bibles. He worked so faithfully the 
 first week that he had a very fair attendance the 
 first Sunday evening. The crowd was very rough 
 and inclined to be noisy. One fellow was especially 
 troublesome. He sat on the front seat with his hat 
 on. Everett noticed that he was chewing tobacco. 
 He requested him to remove his hat and also to stop 
 chewing while in the room. "I guess I'll spit where 
 I please, young fellow, and I've a right to wear my 
 hat; it's paid for." As the fellow was under the 
 influence of liquor and inclined to be ugly, Everett 
 was in a quandary what to do. When Everett an- 
 nounced a hymn, the fellow called out, "Say! an- 
 nounce it a little louder, so we can all hear." Ever- 
 ett dropped his book on the stand and started for the 
 disturber. He saw Everett coming, and struck at 
 him with all his might. The blow missed the mark, 
 and its force carried him half way around. Everett 
 pinned his arms behind him and ejected him with 
 such dispatch that the audience was completely sur- 
 prised. As Everett came back from the door he saw 
 another man with his hat on. Everett's blood was 
 up, and he started for him. The frightened wretch 
 jumped over two seats and out of the door in less 
 time than it takes to tell it. After two or three other
 
 72 THE DIVINE WRESTLER. 
 
 such experiences, he had little trouble in maintaining 
 order. His reputation for handling the unruly 
 spread through the district and served as a good ad- 
 vertising medium for the mission. At the end of 
 the first month he had demonstrated his ability for 
 such work, and all anxiety was removed about the 
 future. 
 
 In the afternoons Everett visited the various 
 places of interest. One of the first places he visited 
 was Harvard University. He was anxious to take 
 some work in the divinity school. He found he 
 could get exactly what he wanted in the afternoon, 
 viz., Church History and Sociology. All arrange- 
 ments were made, and on the opening day he was 
 enrolled as a special divinity student. 
 
 The work at the wharf in the morning, the mis- 
 sion work on Sundays, and the studies four after- 
 noons each week left him little time for play. As 
 the sociology work was through every day at 4 130, 
 he resolved to spend the following hour in the gym- 
 nasium. . 
 
 Considerable freedom was allowed in the exer- 
 cises. A man could take systematic training or he 
 could roam about as he pleased. A new instructor 
 in wrestling and boxing had been engaged, and the 
 most of the students were enthusiasticallv at work 
 in the new sport. As Everett was a newcomer and 
 a stranger, he contented himself with being an ob- 
 server. Finally, some one invited him to wrestle. 
 He had no trouble in throwing his opponent. Then 
 another and another wanted to wrestle with him, 
 until he had thrown nine men. 
 
 The new instructor watched him with consider- 
 able interest, for he saw that McDonald was no
 
 THE CHRISTIAN ATHLETE. 73 
 
 novice in the work. It amused him to think the 
 students were so slow to comprehend the fact. 
 
 Finally, one of the fellows Everett had thrown 
 made up his mind he would like to put on the gloves 
 with Everett. Everett hesitated a little, but after 
 some urging slipped on the gloves. It was amusing 
 to see how anxious Everett's opponent was to land 
 on him, and with what ease Everett side-stepped 
 out of danger. After giving the fellow ample time 
 to demonstrate all he knew, Everett sent him 
 sprawling under the ropes. Another student wanted 
 to put on the gloves, and Everett sent him out after 
 a very few passes. 
 
 The boys grew more anxious every day to put 
 "that divinity student" out, but after three weeks 
 of the utmost endeavor in wrestling and boxing, 
 they had to admit their inability to do so. 
 
 At one of the clubs one night, one of the boys 
 said: "Say, fellows, I have a scheme for giving 
 'that divinity student' a lesson. Pat Dempsey, one 
 of the greatest pugilists in this country, is giving 
 exhibitions with his trainer at one of the theaters in 
 Boston. He is to fight for the championship of the 
 world in a few weeks. Suppose we get an inter- 
 view with him, tell him of McDonald, induce him 
 to come out to the gym., play "freshy," get Mc- 
 Donald to put on the gloves with him, and then eat 
 him up." 
 
 The plan appealed to every one. The next morn- 
 ing they were in consultation with the pugilist and 
 his trainer. The opportunity seemed too good to 
 let pass, so Dempsey promised to be at the gym- 
 nasium that evening. There was considerable 
 chuckling as they went back to their rooms. The
 
 74 THE DIVINE WRESTLER. 
 
 word was spread rapidly among those who could be 
 trusted that Pat Dempsey, the great pugilist, was 
 coming out that evening to take McDonald's meas- 
 ure. 
 
 When Everett came into the gymnasium that 
 night he noticed the unusual crowd. He began to 
 rxercise with the dumb-bells, wondering what had 
 called out so many students. The boys were in 
 good humor, and with genuine college enthusiasm 
 applauded and cheered the different fellows as they 
 wrestled or boxed. Finally Pat Dempsey, in a pair 
 of duck pants and a sleeveless undershirt, was 
 pushed into the ring against one of the best boxers. 
 He had to get one of the boys to show him how to 
 fasten the mitts. His trainer stepped into the ring, 
 similarly dressed, and said he would act as referee. 
 Dempsey made his opponent promise not to hit him 
 very hard. The boys were wild with enthusiasm 
 over his clever acting. He was the personification 
 of awkwardness. Even Everett had to laugh at the 
 way he stumbled around and howled when he was 
 hit. Notwithstanding his awkwardness, he finally 
 managed to get the best of his man. Then, as he 
 attempted to pull off his gloves, several fellows said, 
 "Hold on, freshy, you must meet McDonald." 
 Everett was pushed into the ring amid cheers and 
 applause. Dempsey asked him not to hit him hard. 
 When Everett promised he would not, the students 
 almost had hysterics. 
 
 The time-keeper called time and the two men 
 stepped to the center of the ring and shook hands. 
 Everett had a feeling when Dempsey stepped to the 
 center that he did not act so awkward in the ring 
 as out of it. He had not been within thirty feet of
 
 THE CHRISTTAN ATHLETE. 75 
 
 him before. Now he saw that the man was muscled 
 like a Trojan warrior. He seemed to personify the 
 courage and force of the king of beasts. Everett 
 saw his heavy features, his muscular development 
 and easy and graceful poise. 
 
 Nor had Dempsey had a good look at Everett 
 until that moment. Everett presented a striking 
 contrast, indeed. Dempsey saw before him the 
 finely molded features of the student and the grace- 
 ful lines of a Grecian wrestler. Somehow, as he 
 looked into Everett's eye he made up his mind not 
 to hurry matters too much. All this passed through 
 the minds of the two men in a second. Everett at 
 once assumed the defensive. He saw before him 
 the greatest problem he had ever faced, but did not 
 suspect who or what the man was. Finally, Demp- 
 sey, through his over-confidence, left an opening, and 
 Everett's left hand shot through like a flash. This 
 roused Dempsey. He decided to end the matter at 
 once, but he had not properly reckoned with his 
 opponent. 
 
 The first round ended with the points in favor of 
 Everett. As Dempsey retired to his corner his 
 second said, "Jack, better be careful. The young- 
 ster may get the laugh on you. Perhaps these stu- 
 dents have tricked you up against the real article. 
 Put him out the next time up." 
 
 With the second round Dempsey, now thoroughly 
 aroused, sprang from his corner like an enraged lion 
 and meant to crush his opponent with brute force. 
 He rushed Everett to the ropes and tried to end the 
 game with one of his powerful left swings. Before 
 he could act or think Everett side-stepped out of the 
 snarl and came up smiling in the center of the ring.
 
 76 THE DIVINE WRESTLER. 
 
 J'affled, astonished, perplexed, he turned and rushed 
 again. This time he was more astonished than be- 
 fore, for the young fellow met him more than half 
 way and drove him backward to the ropes. The 
 end of the second round came just in time to save 
 him from lasting mortification. 
 
 The next round both men came more cautiously to 
 the center. Dempsey, with his great bulk of muscle, 
 sinew and bone, swung and lunged and jabbed in 
 vain at his wary foe. The trainer saw in the young 
 man the greatest combination of strength and clever- 
 ness and aggressiveness he had ever seen in the 
 ring. As he watched Everett's cunning and speed 
 and generalship he was all the more astonished at 
 the divinity student. Round after round was reeled 
 off, with Everett more and more demonstrating the 
 superiority of cleverness over brute force. Like a 
 phantom he floated before his antagonist, touching 
 him as he pleased. At last the referee said he 
 guessed he would have to let the boys meet again 
 to decide their superiority. The college boys could 
 scarcely believe their senses. They said that Demp- 
 sey surely didn't do his best. At least they had 
 seen a very clever exhibition of friendly boxing. 
 Dempsey and his trainer knew, however, that the 
 best had been given and walked out of the gym- 
 nasium bewildered. Dempsey's backer had been 
 the most interested spectator present. He had seen 
 many real contests, but he had never seen so bril- 
 liant an exhibition of strength and skill as young 
 McDonald displayed. 
 
 He had all along had some doubt about Demp- 
 sey winning the belt from the champion that now 
 held it. But he was the most likely man and he
 
 THE CHRISTIAN ATHLETE. 77 
 
 had been backing him. As he watched young Mc- 
 Donald he saw a new star in the pugilistic world 
 and he hadn't the slightest doubt about his winning 
 the belt. He noticed that McDonald several times 
 refused to put his opponent out when he had the 
 chance. As Everett went out of the gymnasium 
 that night he was accosted and congratulated by 
 Mr. Kent, the backer. He went with Everett to 
 his room and told him frankly with whom he had 
 been boxing. Everett could not believe him at 
 first. It frightened him to think he had faced so 
 famous a boxer. 
 
 Mr. Kent was not long in reaching what was up- 
 permost in his mind. As he unfolded his plan 
 Everett could hardly realize that he was talking with 
 one of the greatest followers of the ring and that 
 he was being asked to enter the ring to battle for 
 money and pugilistic honor. At first Everett re- 
 fused to consider any such a proposition, but Mr. 
 Kent was shrewd and determined. He finally made 
 Everett the following proposition: If he would 
 take one month's training and fight for the cham- 
 pionship of the world against the present holder 
 of the belt he should receive $25,000; $10,000 
 should be paid the moment Everett signed the 
 contract. Then on the night of the contest, before 
 he entered the ring, he should receive the remaining 
 $15,000. Mr. Kent would bear all expense of train- 
 ing and would take care of all other matters. To 
 emphasize what he said he pulled out his wallet 
 and counted out $500 in cash and said "I will give 
 you that to consider the proposition seriously until 
 next week at this time." 
 
 "I will consider the matter, Mr. Kent," said 
 Everett, "but I do not like to take this money."
 
 78 THE DIVINE WRESTLER. 
 
 "Never mind, McDonald, the money is yours. I 
 want you to look up my standing and I will place 
 a $10,000 check at your disposal in the First Na- 
 tional Bank of Boston and you may find out whether 
 or not the check is good." 
 
 Everett McDonald did not sleep that night. It 
 seemed too much like a dream or a nightmare. 
 He counted over the $500 several times. The next 
 day he went to the bank and found a check of 
 $10,000 waiting for him if he would sign the 
 contract. He thought of how he could vindicate 
 his father's honor with less than half that amount. 
 He could buy them a home and make them com- 
 fortable the balance of their days. Then, too, he 
 thought of Helen Day and how her father opposed 
 him because he was poor. He was absolutely sure 
 of the money if he would only fight. The offer 
 was not made on the condition that he should win. 
 But the question kept coming up before him, 
 "Ought I to do it?" He know how bitterly his 
 father was opposed to prize fighting. He knew 
 how his old minister, the Rev. Dr. Carter, had 
 condemned such encounters. But surely it was im*- 
 as bad as the act of the man who had defrauded 
 his father and ruined their home. It was not steal- 
 ing. It was not gambling. It was sure pay for 
 so much of his time and skill. He did not need to 
 fight another battle. He did not have to associate 
 with the followers of the ring. Still the question 
 kept coming up before him : what will father and 
 mother say ; what will Rev. Dr. Carter say ; what 
 will Helen say? In the midst of one of his reveries 
 Mr. Kent entered and Everett spoke frankly to 
 Mm about the matter.
 
 THE CHRISTIAN ATHLETE. 79 
 
 "O," said Mr. Kent, "if that is all that is 
 troubling you we can easily fix that. You can fight 
 under an assumed name ; many boxers do that. As 
 fnr your picture, I have several pictures that look 
 nearly like you and we can have all cuts made from 
 them." 
 
 As Mr. Kent left he said that all he asked was 
 khat Everett should give the full week to his de- 
 cision, unless he reached a favorable conclusion be- 
 fore that time. 
 
 Everett fought and struggled all through the 
 week and the last day for the decision arrived. 
 All through the day and into the night lasted that 
 most intense struggle of his life. His immortal 
 soul was wrestling with a supreme temptation. All 
 other interests were forgotten as the mightiest 
 forces for good and evil surrounded that struggling 
 gladiator. The cloud of invisible witnesses forgot 
 about great orators battling in the forum for the 
 supremacy of certain ideas. The exciting contest 
 of two great national parties contesting for every 
 precinct and ward and county and state was forgot- 
 ten. Even the two great nations with their floating 
 forts of steel grappling in a life and death engage- 
 ment were as nothing compared to the contest of this 
 young man upon his knees halting between good 
 and evil, between right and wrong. Satan and all 
 his hosts of evil angels stand on one side with un- 
 utterable anxiety. That mighty host of wickedness 
 attempts to rush into the arena and bear Everett 
 McDonald away on their shoulders, but God's 
 mighty arm holds them back and says that the 
 young man shall have a fair chance. 
 
 Everett sees that evil host, but they have as-
 
 8o THE; DIV1NF, WRESTLER. 
 
 sumed a pleasing form. He hears them send up 
 cheer after cheer for his skill and sees them push- 
 ing great bundles of money into his hands, his 
 pockets and his valise. They show him a beautful 
 home again, they show him the real robber of the 
 Savings Bank, they offer him the fulfillment of all 
 of his fondest dreams. 
 
 As he looks upon the opposite side he sees an- 
 other great multitude. There are all the prophets 
 and martyrs and holy men of old bending eagerly 
 forward. He hears the voice of his college pres- 
 ident. He sees the trembling lips of his old pastor. 
 He hears Helen Day again pledge with him a life 
 of sacrifice and service. He sees the pained look 
 on the faces of his father and mother. Yes, and 
 more, he hears his sainted sister Hester sobbing 
 for fear he will play a dishonorable part. Notwith- 
 standing all this he is almost ready to reach out 
 and take the proffered wealth. As he does so he 
 looks up once more and draws back his hand. It 
 is not the face or voice of Dr. Habsdorf, nor the 
 Rev. Dr. Carter, nor Helen Day, nor father or 
 mother, nor his sister Hester. O, no ! nor the 
 radiant and triumphant faces of Abraham nor 
 Moses nor Paul. 
 
 He sees another face, he hears another voice, he 
 feels another influence. O, if he had only looked 
 into that face in the beginning ; if he had only re- 
 membered the promise he had given Him that night 
 in the president's home ; if he had only asked in 
 the beginning for the mind of that one who was the 
 fairest among ten thousand to his soul, how soon 
 he could have decided. Once more his tear-stained 
 cheek rested on the open pages of his sister Hes-
 
 THE CHRISTIAN ATHI.ETE. 8l 
 
 ter's Bible and once more he said, "I will." He 
 leaped to his feet with the wildest joy he had ever 
 known tugging at his heart. He sent the $500.00 
 and his decision to the man who had for a moment 
 come between him and his risen Savior, and went 
 out in his poverty rejoicing with the angels.
 
 CHAPTER VI. 
 
 AN UNSEEN GUIDE. 
 
 "And I will bring the blind by a way that they knew 
 not." 
 
 When Rufus went to call Helen he found her 
 kneeling under the olive trees in prayer. The col- 
 ored servant's trip abroad was a continual revela-. 
 tion to him. What impressed him most, however, 
 was the deep consecration of this girl. She had 
 talked to him from her childhood of fine houses, 
 fast horses and fancy gowns. Now she never men- 
 tioned those things. Her constant thought was for 
 the poor. 
 
 As he stood there and gazed upon her beautiful 
 face upturned in prayer, he himself could not help 
 having an unutterable sympathy with her in her 
 consecration. He did not speak to her. 
 
 Mrs. Day becoming impatient went to look for 
 Rufus and Helen. As she came in sight of them 
 she, too, halted, stood for a moment and then re- 
 treated with a feeling of deepest satisfaction. 
 
 The three walked silently back to the hotel and 
 were soon making ready to return to America. The 
 trip home was interesting, but uneventful. Capt 
 Day met them in New York and it was a happy
 
 THE CHRISTIAN ATHLETE. 83 
 
 meeting indeed. Capt. Day had made a great ef- 
 fort to have the old home beautiful and attractive. 
 The main hallway was banked with palms and ferns. 
 Every room was filled with flowers. Helen's room 
 was festooned in chrysanthemums. As they sat 
 down at their own table that evening Helen said "It 
 does seem so good to be home once more!" 
 
 •Capl. Day acknowledged that he had been very 
 lonely during their absence. After supper Helen 
 played and sang for her father. Rufus possessed 
 an unusually melodious voice and he was called 
 upon for his share in that delightful evening. The 
 fire in the big open grate blazed out its warmth 
 and cheer. The large St. Bernard dog Prince, 
 Helen's pet, stretched his paws at length on the rug 
 and watched every move out of the corners of his 
 eyes. It was almost midnight before they retired. 
 
 The next morning when they sat down to break- 
 fast it was fully ten o'clock. A light lunch was 
 served at I o'clock. Helen was a little fatigued 
 from her journey, so she slept after lunch until 
 3 o'clock. Then she donned her neat traveling 
 suit, as their trunks had not yet arrived, and was 
 ready for the evening dinner. Before going down 
 stairs she wrote a letter to Everett McDonald. As 
 she came down stairs she said, "I guess I will go 
 out for a little walk to the postoffice ; I will not be 
 gone long." 
 
 "Let Rufus mail your letters, Helen," said Capt. 
 Day. 
 
 "O, I'll not trouble him," said Helen; "besides, 
 I want the walk." 
 
 "Who have you written to, Helen," asked her 
 father. Helen's face flushed a little as she said,
 
 84 AN UNSEEN GUIDE. 
 
 "I have written a note to Mr. McDonald. I haven't 
 heard from him since we went abroad." 
 
 Capt. Day flew into an uncontrollable rage and 
 thundered : "Didn't I warn you against that fel- 
 low? You shall not write to him. Give me that 
 letter !" 
 
 Mrs. Day had been dreading such a crisis. She 
 had decided with her husband that it would be best 
 for Helen not to continue her correspondence with 
 the young man. Still, if Helen had not forgotten 
 him after her trip abroad with no news from him 
 during all that time, she questioned the wisdom of 
 opposing her. 
 
 Capt. Day stepped forward and with outstretched 
 hand said, "Give me that letter !" 
 
 Helen had never opposed her father in her life. 
 She had followed with a daughter's true devotion 
 his every wish from her childhood. Now, however, 
 when her father assumed that angry, imperious and 
 indefensible attitude toward her every drop of her 
 Puritan blood tingled with resentment. 
 
 She did not tremble, she did not grow faint, 
 she did not manifest the least nervousness. Draw- 
 ing herself up to her full height she said with a 
 firm, clear voice : "Father, you do not understand 
 me. You do not know nor understand Everett 
 McDonald. He is one of the noblest young men I 
 have ever known. I love him and he loves me 
 and I'm going to send this letter." 
 
 Capt. Day was every inch a soldier. His com- 
 mand was law. No one had ever before dared 
 to oppose his fierce imperious will. Now as Helen 
 drew herself up to her full height and with flash- 
 ing eyes, said, "I am going to send this letter," 
 
 52
 
 THE CHRISTIAN ATHLETE. 85 
 
 his anger got control of his better nature and he 
 said vehemently: "Helen, either give me that let- 
 ter and renounce Everett McDonald, or leave this 
 home forever." 
 
 "I will not renounce Everett McDonald and I'm 
 going to send this letter," said the pale, determined 
 girl. 
 
 "O, husband, husband!" cried Mrs. Day, fling- 
 ing herself at his feet. "Do not drive our only child 
 away from home." 
 
 "For de good Lord's sake, Cap'n, don't use Miss 
 Helen dat way." 
 
 Capt. Day tore his wife's arms loose, struck the 
 darky a crushing blow, and opening -the door or- 
 dered Helen out, saying, "Never darken this door 
 again." As Helen walked out he slammed the door 
 after her. Rufus hurried out of the house with 
 mingled feelings of fear and rage. 
 
 Mrs. Day fainted and had to be carried to her 
 room. When she regained consciousness the awful- 
 ness of the situation dawned upon her. She re- 
 fused to be comforted and would have gone out in 
 search of her daughter if her husband had allowed 
 her. At last she sank into a rocker and with 
 broken voice called piteously, "O, Helen, Helen, 
 Helen, my darling, my darling. Come back, come 
 back. Husband, husband, what have you done? 
 O, God, protect my precious child." 
 
 "Never mind," said the stern captain, "she will 
 come back soon enough, and of her own accord. If 
 she returns and promises to obey me, I will take 
 her in — not before." 
 
 As the night began to deepen the muttering of a 
 distant storm was heard. Blinding flashes of light-
 
 86 AN UNSEEN GUIDE. 
 
 ning were followed by the awful roar of thunder. 
 Then came the drenching rain. The wild waitings 
 of the wind, the steady downpour of rain, the vivid 
 flashes of lightning, and the terrific peals of thunder 
 only added to the anguish of a parent's heart and 
 brain. 
 
 Was Helen in some good resting place, or was 
 she wandering distracted in that blinding storm? 
 
 Mrs. Day plead in vain for her husband to go 
 in search of the homeless girl. She sat in her 
 chair all night and rocked and moaned with the 
 wind. O ! that long, long night of anguish. The 
 storm ceased with the day dawn. 
 
 Capt. Day had not slept during the night. Two 
 or three times he raised upon his elbow and listened 
 to hear if Helen was not knocking timidly, but 
 it was only the branches of the great oak rubbing 
 against the house in the fierce storm. 
 
 In the morning he was still not quite willing to 
 admit that he had been too hasty or was at fault, 
 but he was not so sure that he had acted wisely in 
 the matter. Perhaps he had been a little hasty, 
 but then Helen needed to know that his word was 
 law. 
 
 After an unsuccessful attempt at eating break- 
 fast he said, "Well, wife, I guess I'll have Rufus 
 hitch up and I'll drive down to some of the hotels 
 and see if Helen is stopping in one of them. If 
 she is willing to change her decision I will bring 
 her home." 
 
 A look of deepest joy came over Mrs. Day's face 
 at this decision, and she said, "O, husband, do 
 bring her home, for I cannot live this way." 
 
 Capt. Day went out to the barn and called :
 
 THE CHRISTIAN ATHLETE. 87 
 
 "Rufus, hitch up the horse to the runabout." But 
 no response came from Rufus. "Rufus, you black 
 rascal, get up." 
 
 "He's sulking," said the captain to himself. "I'll 
 show that sentimental brute how to sulk," and 
 seizing a large strap, he bounded up the steps 
 three at a time. He kicked the door to Rufus' 
 room open and stood ready with the uplifted strap. 
 He slowly lowered the strap, for the room was 
 empty. Rufus had not slept there that night. The 
 captain was white with rage as he slowly descended 
 the steps and hitched the horse to the carriage. The 
 clog Prince had gone also. "I'd like to get hold of 
 that sulking negro for about two minutes," thought 
 the baffled man as he drove out into the street. 
 
 Mrs. Day sat in the bay window with her pale 
 face pressed against the pane and gazed long and 
 anxiously in the direction her husband had gone. 
 He returned late in the afternoon, but without 
 Helen. A careful canvass of all the hotels in the 
 city had not revealed her whereabouts. Advertise- 
 ments were put in the papers, a reward was offered, 
 detectives were at work, but at last it was agreed 
 that the missing girl was not in Columbus. 
 
 A night watchman had seen a young lady with a 
 large dog going down High street toward the Un- 
 ion Depot, but no one had noticed a young lady 
 with a large dog in the depot. Days, a week, two 
 weeks passed by and no news from the missing 
 girl. 
 
 The Day homestead on Broad Street was closed 
 and a grief-stricken mother, and a father roused 
 at last to a consuming anxiety, started out into the 
 too big world to find their exiled daughter. They
 
 88 AN UNSEEN GUIDE 
 
 went to Chicago, but they soon found that they 
 had very different ideas about searching for Helen. 
 After much deliberation they resolved to divide 
 their work. Capt. Day was to remain in Chicago 
 a little longer and then travel westward, while Mrs. 
 Day turned her face toward the East. 
 
 Captain Day was a thorough soldier. He had 
 spent the most of his life in commanding on the 
 tented field. When he began the search for his 
 daughter it was natural that he should try to find 
 her through the service of others. After his good 
 wife started East he began to work upon his own 
 theories. He secured a suite of rooms in a private 
 house, then advertised in the daily papers for a 
 negro servant. He gave minute particulars in re- 
 gard to the experience needed, expecting Rufus to 
 respond if he were in Chicago. As he read the 
 advertisement in the several papers he chuckled to 
 himself, "If Rufus is in this city he will surely be 
 looking for work. When ne sees this call he will 
 drop everything at once. When I get my hands 
 on that black rascal I'll thrash him until he tells 
 me where Helen is. The brute, just wait till I get 
 him." 
 
 Although Rufus did not see the notice many 
 other negroes did. All day long the anxious fel- 
 lows knocked at the Captain's door. At first he 
 was amused, but as the day wore on and Rufus 
 did not appear he grew sick and tired of black 
 faces. He treated them rather discourteously. Fin- 
 ally one big fellow came to the door. 
 
 "What do you want?" gruffly asked the captain. 
 
 'T saw your ad. in the mornin' paper and I'd be 
 glad to serve you, mistar."
 
 THE CHRISTIAN ATHLETE. 89 
 
 "I suppose you've had plenty of experience like 
 all the rest of your kind. No, I don't want a nigger 
 at any price. Get out !" 
 
 "I'll git out, mistar, but when I see an ad. in the 
 paper like you put in, I s'pose a gentleman put it 
 in." 
 
 Capt. Day instinctively reached for his sword at 
 his side, but his hand dropped limp, for the sword 
 had been laid aside. As the large negro passed 
 out upon the street the conviction came strongly 
 upon him that he was now only an unknown soldier 
 in citizen's clothes, and that he must meet exigen- 
 cies as a common man. 
 
 Several days passed by, but Rufus did not appear. 
 Then the thought occurred to him to advertise for a 
 St. Bernard dog. Accordingly he advertised in the 
 papers and gave as requirements an exact descrip- 
 tion of Prince. The paper was not out many hours 
 before St. Bernard dogs began to arrive. He eag- 
 erly watched out of the curtained window as differ- 
 ent dogs were brought to the house Small boys in 
 the neighborhood soon discovered the procession 
 and gathered on the sidewalk. The yelling of the 
 boys and the barking of the dogs made Captain Day 
 almost wish he hadn't advertised. 
 
 The landlady, a nervous person, stood the annoy- 
 ance as long as possible. Just as she was starting to 
 inform her new lodger that h< must stop such work 
 or leave the house, two big dogs, led by small boys, 
 got into a fight in the front yard. As the fight pro- 
 gressed three other dogs joined in the fray and 
 fought backward and forwaiM over rose bushes, 
 shrubs and rare plants, destroying everything. 
 Wagons of every description — grocery, milk, garb-
 
 go AN UNSEEN GUIDE. 
 
 age, wreckage — blockaded the street. Heads 
 popped out of neighboring windows. One wag sent 
 in a fire alarm. The landlady had hysterics and de- 
 clared she was ruined by such a disgraceful affair. 
 Captain Day's mortification was complete when two 
 burly policemen entered his room and demanded an 
 explanation. He was only too glad to pay the dam- 
 ages and move to another part of the city. 
 
 The next morning he eagerly scanned the papers 
 to see if there was anything in print about his un- 
 fortunate advertisement. He felt considerable relief 
 at finding no mention of the affair. As he was about 
 to throw aside one of the papers he chanced to see 
 the advertisement of a detective agency. He read 
 the advertisement over several times. The agency 
 seemed to be just what he wanted — even mentioned 
 "capturing runaways" as a specialty. He was soon 
 at the place mentioned. One of the detectives an- 
 swered his ring. 
 
 Captain Day was informed that the men in the 
 employ of the agency were very busy and it was 
 doubtful if any man could be spared. Finally, the 
 speaker decided he himself could work on the case. 
 He charged $50 per day, payable each morning in 
 advance. Captain Day paid the first $50 and went 
 out feeling greatly elated over securing the services 
 of the man who managed the secret service agency. 
 The second day the detective returned toward even- 
 ing and informed Captain Day that he had struck a 
 very important clew to the missing girl's where- 
 abouts, but that he must have at least $100 before 
 he could go further. Captain Day paid the money 
 with a great deal of reluctance. As the detective 
 left the room Captain Day was so suspicious that he
 
 THE CHRISTIAN ATHLETE. 91 
 
 resolved to follow the man. He shadowed him for 
 a few blocks and saw him enter a saloon. Stepping 
 up near the screen door, he heard the detective say : 
 "Come on, boys ; have one on me. I've struck a gold 
 mine. An old fool down town wants me to find his 
 daughter. He has plenty of rocks, and I'm going 
 to get them." 
 
 "But I'll not be fooled again." said the Captain to 
 himself, as he hurried back to his room. He changed 
 his room to another street in order to be free from 
 the rascal calling himself a detective. 
 
 Captain Day began to realize that if he found his 
 daughter he must do so alone and unaided. He 
 now began the search in his own strength. Day 
 after day he eagerly scanned people in market places, 
 ball rooms and theaters, but not once did he see a 
 familiar face. 
 
 One evening as he was returning to his room, 
 discouraged and almost ready to abandon further 
 effort, he remembered what his wife had told him in 
 regard to Helen's interest in the poor while she was 
 abroad. Perhaps she was working among the poor 
 and degraded. That night he began searching in 
 the slums. He had never dreamed that people could 
 sink so low in degradation. What surprised him 
 even more was their evident satisfaction with such a 
 lot. Night after night he traveled through the sub- 
 merged portion of the city, visiting mission stations, 
 Salvation Army tents, and small chapels. The one 
 face he wanted to see was nowhere present. 
 
 One Sunday morning, as he was traveling aim- 
 lessly about and almost ready to sink with exhaus- 
 tion, he saw a very respectable-looking church. He 
 almost hated churches, because he felt that religious
 
 92 AN UNSEEN GUIDE. 
 
 sentimentalism had caused his daughter to turn 
 against him. As the soft strains of music floated out 
 on the still, clear air, a strange longing came to him 
 to go in and find rest. Weary, footsore, heavy- 
 laden, he walked into the beautiful church just as 
 the organist finished playing the prelude. He sank 
 down in a back pew and rested his aching head on 
 his hand. The choir sang something. After listen- 
 ing for awhile, he muttered to himself, "Why don't 
 they sing something one can understand." The min- 
 ister hurried and stumbled over the Scripture lesson 
 and offered a cold, intellectual prayer about resur- 
 rection. Captain Day shifted restlessly as the min- 
 ister began preaching in a vague way about "The 
 Sleep of the Dead.'' When an old familiar hymn 
 was announced and sung to a most difficult new tune 
 he could stand it no longer. He threw down the 
 book and left the church with an oath upon his lips. 
 
 Out upon the quiet streets the thought came, 
 "Why don't I leave this city?" He debated the 
 question as he walked slowly along. Unconsciously 
 he was nearing the Dearborn station. As he walked 
 into the station he saw large posters advertising spe- 
 cial rates to Southern California. After a few in- 
 quiries of the ticket agent he decided to go to Los 
 Angeles. He made this decision not because he had 
 hopes of fining Helen there, but because he wanted 
 to get away from vexations and troubles. 
 
 The next night at 10 o'clock he boarded the over- 
 land train for the City of the Angels. After almost 
 a week of constant travel the faithful train glided 
 into the La Grande station of that far western city. 
 Captain Day was astonished at the beauty and 
 wealth of the city and at the culture and refinement
 
 THE CHRISTIAN ATHI,ETE 93 
 
 of the people. But the broken-hearted man cared 
 little for the matchless surroundings. The Sabbath 
 day dawned before he had a chance to search much 
 for Helen. The day was not observed exactly as he 
 had expected. There were great crowds bent on 
 pleasure, hurrying to various beaches. Several sa- 
 loons were openly selling liquor. Theaters were 
 crowded to the doors. Many places of business 
 were not closed. In some parts of the city men were 
 even building houses. 
 
 While he was observing all these things the hours 
 kept slipping rapidly by, and before he was aware 
 of it the shadows of evening came stealing over the 
 snow-clad mountains into the orange-scented val- 
 leys. As the sun gradually sank into the great ocean 
 beyond the city, the moon and countless numbers of 
 stars swung slowly into view. The great towering 
 electric lights seemed almost unnecessary in that 
 golden evening weather. Sauntering along palm- 
 girt avenues he came to one of the large churches, 
 but was informed by the sexton that there was to 
 be no evening service. As he reached another house 
 of worship he met a few people coming out and was 
 told that the vesper service was over. Not far away 
 he found another church well filled with respectable 
 looking people. The minister was preaching about 
 his work and his church and his denomination. 
 Again the man, hungering and thirsting, turned 
 away from church life, disgusted with its selfish- 
 ness, its shallowness, its coldness, its forms and 
 empty show. 
 
 A few days in Los Angeles convinced him that 
 Helen was not there. He decided that after visit- 
 ing a few surrounding villages he would go to San 
 Francisco.
 
 94 AN UNSEEN GUIDE. 
 
 Several more days passed by, with no trace of 
 Helen, and another Sabbath was drawing to its 
 close. He stood in the gathering shadows of a little 
 village, debating whether "to be or not to be." In 
 his sorrow and anguish he looked upward to the 
 stars and wished he could find rest. He started to 
 walk out into the deep shadows, when a gentleman 
 accosted him and asked him to go to church. "No, 
 thank you," said the Captain ; "not tonight." 
 
 As the stranger passed on, Captain Day changed 
 his mind. "It's the first time I've been invited to a 
 church. I'll go just once more. If I find no help 
 then no more church for me." 
 
 Walking in the direction the stranger had gone, 
 he came upon a little Methodist church. It was com- 
 fortably filled. The first hymn was "What a friend 
 we have in Jesus." A kind-faced old lady handed 
 him a hymn-book. As Captain Day followed the 
 words he said to himself, "I wonder if the song is 
 really true. A friend to bear sins and griefs. Helps 
 in trials and temptations. Never discouraged." 
 Thus musing along, he unconsciously joined with 
 the congregation in singing: 
 
 "Are we weak and heavy laden, 
 Cumbered with a load of care? 
 Precious Savior, still our refuge — 
 Take it to the Lord in prayer." 
 
 The minister was an old man but seemed to be in 
 the vigor of youth. He was no longer acceptable in 
 large churches, because they said he wasn't up-to- 
 date and couldn't preach for the times. The way in 
 which he opened the sacred book, his unaffected 
 manner in reading the Scripture lesson, and his 
 simple yet powerful prayer won Captain Day's re-
 
 THE CHRISTIAN ATHLETE. 95 
 
 spect. The sermon was a plain, forceful, powerful, 
 overwhelming presentation of the inspired invita- 
 tion, "Come unto me all ye that labor and are heavy 
 laden and I will give you rest." As the minister 
 closed with an earnest appeal for immediate, manly 
 decision, Captain Day was almost persuaded to be a 
 Christian. When the congregation began singing, 
 
 "I am coming to the cross, 
 
 I am poor and weak and blind," 
 
 Captain Day was altogether persuaded, and walking- 
 forward, he knelt at the altar in earnest prayer and 
 "was every whit made whole."
 
 CHAPTER VII. 
 
 ALONE IN THE WORLD. 
 
 "She reacheth out her hands to the needy." 
 
 Pale, beautiful, resolute, Helen walked out of the 
 old home. "I have no home!" she said with trem- 
 bling lips. Night was coming on and the rapidly- 
 gathering clouds with their constant rumbling and 
 fitful flashes of lightning told her that a storm was 
 coming with the night. She looked up into and 
 beyond the darkness to the One who knew no night 
 and asked Him to guide her feet. She had hardly 
 noticed her constant companion, Prince, as he trot- 
 ted by her side. "O, Prince, you are a dear dog ! I 
 am not entirely forsaken, am I?" 
 
 The dog seemed to know what she said for he 
 walked still closer by her side. They wandered 
 down the streets until they came to the big union 
 depot. As they entered the depot she heard the 
 train master call "All aboard for the limited express 
 to Chicago, Denver and San Francisco." 
 
 Without a moment's hesitation she and Prince 
 got aboard and were soon being carried away from 
 home and kindred. When the conductor came she 
 inquired the fare to Chicago. She paid the amount 
 
 96
 
 THE CHRISTIAN ATHLETE. 97 
 
 and was just settling back in her seat when the 
 conductor said : "Madam, that dog will have to ride 
 in the baggage car. It's against the rules for dogs 
 to ride in the sleepers." 
 
 Helen looked at Prince, then appealingly at the 
 conductor and said: "Can't he ride in here? He 
 is the only friend I have with me." 
 
 The conductor said: "No, he will have to ride 
 in the baggage car. Come dog." As he reached 
 out to take Prince by the collar Prince growled 
 so fiercely that he stepped quickly back. 
 
 "Well, madam, we will have to put the dog in 
 the baggage car. He can't ride in here." 
 
 "He is a dangerous dog if he is aroused," she 
 said, "and perhaps you had better allow him to ride 
 a short distance and then I will see that he goes." 
 
 Before retiring she said, "Prince, I want you to 
 go out and sleep in the baggage car, and in the 
 morning you can come back. Go on, now." 
 
 Prince walked out of the car with the conductor 
 as gentle as a lamb. 
 
 When Helen retired the flood-gates of her soul 
 gave way and the hot tears ran in streams down 
 her feverish cheeks. "Why didn't father reason 
 with me? Why didn't he take me in his arms as 
 he used to do and listen to my story ?" She sobbed 
 herself to sleep, saying the little prayer she had 
 learned at her mother's knee. 
 
 As Helen boarded the train she had not noticed 
 the stalwart colored servant get on the same train. 
 Rufus could not think of allowing Helen to go out 
 into the big world alone. He had always looked 
 after her when she was a child and he was not 
 willing to be rid of his trust. He could think of
 
 98 AI,ONE IN THE WORLD. 
 
 her only as a child and not as a consecrated woman 
 able to face the world alone. His conscience had 
 all along troubled him about thwarting the corre- 
 spondence of Helen. He was not sure he had done 
 right. He had often wondered if there was not a 
 better way of dealing with the affair. Then after 
 Captain Day's behavior in driving Helen away from 
 home he made up his mind that he would do what 
 he could to right any wrong he might have done. 
 He had a deep sense of honor and when once a 
 conviction came to him he was ready to act. He 
 followed Helen and Prince to the depot and when 
 they boarded the train he climbed aboard also. He 
 entered the dining car as the train started and 
 asked for work. As one of the hands was sick 
 Rufus was given work as a "dish washer." It went 
 very much against his inclination to wash and wipe 
 dishes. "Never mind/'' he said to himself. "Ise 
 doin' this for Helen's sake." 
 
 The next morning he asked the Pullman con- 
 ductor innocently enough who owned that fine dog 
 in the baggage car. 
 
 The conductor said that a young lady who was 
 going beyond Chicago was the owner. 
 
 "My !" thought Rufus, "she has some of the 
 spirit of the Cap'n. Guess she means business." 
 
 When the train arrived in Chicago, Rufus watched 
 Helen and saw her take the limited for San Fran- 
 cisco. He again secured passage in the dining car 
 on the same train with his mistress. 
 
 Helen stepped from the train in San Francisco, 
 and with Prince hurried out into the big city. She 
 had no idea that any one had followed her. If Prince 
 could have spoken he would have told his mistress 
 who cared for him so well in the baggage car.
 
 The christian athlete. 99 
 
 Helen went at once to the Salvation Army head- 
 quarters and they found her a very plain but com- 
 fortable room at small cost. Just as she finished 
 her lunch in her room that night she heard a knock 
 at the door. She opened the door and stood in 
 speechless surprise. Rufus, too, in his embarrass- 
 ment, was at a loss for words. 
 
 The overjoyed dog broke the spell and Rufus 
 stepped into the room saying: " 'Deed, Miss Helen, 
 I couldn't 'low you to be druv out alone. I likes you, 
 Miss Helen, 'deed I do. I jes' couldn' stay with 
 the Cap'n. Don't drive me away. Ise come 'long 
 to help you. Will you forgive me for comin', Miss 
 Helen?'' 
 
 As Helen looked at his bandaged eye, the result 
 of his pleading for her, she could not send him 
 away. She put her hand on his head and said : 
 "Rufus, I will allow you to be my helper and friend 
 if you will forgive father for that blow you re- 
 ceived." 
 
 "Miss Helen, I done remember what de good book 
 says and I forgive him. The Cap'n thought he was 
 doin' sure miff right for he hates de gemin you'se 
 in lov wid. He done tole me you' gemin war a 
 villain. I believes him at first. De journey we took 
 was to keep you away from you' gemin, and Miss 
 Helen, as you father's savent I was boun' to his 
 orders. And Miss Helen, forgive me, but I done 
 stole and burned all yo' letters to your gemin. I 
 thought I was doing sure nun* right, Miss Helen 
 till I saw yo' prayin' by de trees on Mt. Olivet and 
 den I says, 'Miss Helen, can't be doin' wrong no- 
 how. You see, Miss Helen, youse been treated 
 wusser dan your father treated me. Can you for- 
 give me? O Miss Helen, forgive me?"
 
 IOO AI,ONE IN THE WORtD. 
 
 "Rufus, did father ask you to do that?" 
 "He done ordered me to do it, but Miss Helen, 
 he s'posed he was right and he done it for your 
 good. Don't blame him. Ise to blame." 
 
 "Well, Rufus, I suppose both you and father 
 thought you were right. I'll forgive you both if 
 you will right your wrong. Go and find Everett 
 McDonald and tell him why he has not heard from 
 me. Do not tell him that I have been driven from 
 home for his sake, because he has a work that must 
 not be neglected at present. Tell him I am carrying 
 out my plans here in San Francisco. Tell him I 
 am contented and happy." 
 
 "Miss Helen, I will deliver you' message to Mis- 
 ter McDonald, provided. You' father done paid me 
 plenty for all my work. Ise kept de most of de 
 money." He drew a large roll of bills from his 
 inside pocket and continued, "If you will take dis 
 money I will go anywha' in de w'uld to find you 
 gemin. No, don't refuse me, Miss Helen. You 
 needs de money and I can git along widout it. I 
 has a little left in my pocket. De money is all yours 
 to do with jes' as you like." 
 
 The next day Rufus secured passage as a "dish 
 washer" in a dining car and went forth in search 
 of Helen's lover. 
 
 Helen turned her attention at once to the poor 
 of the city. She made a careful and systematic 
 study and soon found that the children were woe- 
 fully neglected. One evening she found three home- 
 less newsboys sleeping on beds of excelsior in a 
 large store box. On another corner she found a 
 little girl shivering in the evening dew. When 
 Helen asked her where she expected to sleep that
 
 THE CHRISTIAN ATHLETE. IOI 
 
 night she said, "My father's drunk and he has 
 driven me out from home. I don't know where to 
 go." At the market place on another evening she 
 found two children — the boy about 8 and his sister 
 about 6 — stealing an apple here, a turnip there, and 
 a potato in still another place. After watching their 
 systematic work for awhile Helen coaxed them to 
 tell her what they were doing. She found that 
 their mother had sent them out to steal and that 
 they did not dare to go home without some fruit 
 or vegetables. 
 
 Helen decided to do something for such children. 
 She succeeded in interesting some of the ministers 
 and business men. After considerable work she 
 secured enough money to rent and equip a suitable 
 house. 
 
 The street floor was used for a free kindergarten. 
 Then the second and third floors were filled with 
 children's beds. The first night the doors were 
 opened twenty-two curious children knocked for 
 lodging. They were given night gowns, compelled 
 to take a good bath — an unusual thing for them — 
 and then twenty-two little folks were tucked into 
 twenty-two little beds with twenty-two little prayers 
 from Helen. 
 
 The next morning they were given a dish of oat- 
 meal and some bread and butter. Then Helen read 
 to them about Jesus who had taken little children 
 in His arms and blessed them. After prayer she 
 sent them out with the injunction to be good chil- 
 dren. Six of the little folks tarried for a few mo- 
 ments to romp with the big dog. Two little fellows 
 led him by his ears, Helen held two on his back, one 
 tried to drive with the tail, and another whipped
 
 102 ALONE IN THE WORLD. 
 
 with his cap. Helen forgot all about her troubles 
 in such romps. 
 
 As the boys got outside one little fellow said : "I 
 like Miss Helen and her big dog. She said we could 
 come back tonight, if we'd be good. She says she's 
 going to let us stay all the morning with her after 
 today." 
 
 The second night several new ones came to the 
 "Friendly Inn," as Helen called the place. Prince 
 followed her around and eyed each little tot as Helen 
 tucked him in bed. Not one knew the little prayer, 
 "Now I lay me down to sleep," but each one re- 
 peated the prayer after Helen. 
 
 Helen soon saw that she would need help. One 
 of the business men gave her an extra donation. 
 She went to the Salvation Army headquarters and 
 found two helpers. They agreed to help without 
 pay. All they asked was their board and rooms. 
 
 Helen now went everywhere searching for the 
 homeless wanderers. One night she was traveling 
 through one of the worst districts of the city and 
 came upon a little girl crying. "What is it, my little 
 dear?" Helen asked, stooping down and brushing 
 the tears out of the little tot's eyes. "Ise lost. Ise 
 hungry. I want to go home." Helen carried the little 
 one into a nearby restaurant. The restaurant was not 
 very inviting, but it was the only one in the neigh- 
 borhood. She bought some bread and milk and fed 
 the child. She paid for the food and then started 
 out to take the little one to the "Friendly Inn" for 
 the night, expecting to find her home for her the 
 next morning. 
 
 An ex-convict was eating a lunch in the restau- 
 rant when Helen entered. His feverish eyes saw
 
 THE CHRISTIAN ATHLETE. 103 
 
 the money in her purse as she paid the proprietor. 
 He moved out shortly after Helen left. He quick- 
 ened his pace and soon came within sight of her. 
 Helen was so absorbed in the little one that she did 
 not notice the man following her. Prince trotted 
 closely by her side and kept growling. Helen spoke 
 to him and occasionally stroked his head but the 
 dog would not keep silent. She looked around but 
 saw no one. As they were about to emerge from 
 the narrow and forsaken street she heard rapid 
 footfalls and turned just as the figure of a man 
 leaped toward her. 
 
 Before Helen could utter a cry Prince bounded 
 at the throat of the ruffian and hurled him to the 
 ground. Man and dog fought like demons in the 
 darkness and rolled into the mud in the street. 
 Helen hurried to the spot just as the man whispered 
 faintly, "Help." Helen made Prince release his 
 hold and bent over the limp human form. 
 
 She went to a drinking fountain not far away 
 and wrenching the cup from its fastenings carried 
 water to the fallen man. She raised his head and 
 forced a few drops of water between his white lips. 
 Then some more, and finally the man opened his 
 eyes. He came slowly back to consciousness. As 
 he looked up he saw Helen and he also saw the 
 eyes of the dog glaring like balls of fire. "Don't 
 let the dog at me, miss. I won't harm you," he 
 said faintly. 
 
 "I'm not afraid of you," said Helen. "Can you 
 
 walk?" 
 
 He attempted to rise but fell back with a sharp 
 cry of pain. She found a cabman and took the 
 injured man. to the "Friendly Inn." A physician
 
 104 AI.ONE IN THE WORLD. 
 
 was called and dressed the terribly mangled arm. 
 When Prince leaped at the man's throat the man 
 had thrown up his arm to protect himself and the 
 dog's monster jaws closed down upon that arm like 
 an inexorable steel trap. 
 
 The next morning, after the children had been 
 fed, Helen took him some soup. As she fed him 
 he asked in the greatest astonishment : "Aren't you 
 going to have me arrested?" 
 
 "I haven't decided about that yet. Suppose you 
 do not worry about arrest. Do you care to tell 
 me your history?" 
 
 "Yes, madam. I'll tell you all. I was raised in 
 a good home. I had access to the very best society — 
 that is what was called the best. We often had 
 wine and I soon formed the liquor habit. I went 
 down and down until I was an outcast from home. 
 One night when crazed by drink I assaulted an old 
 chum. For this assault I was sent to prison for 
 three years. I have been out of prison just three 
 weeks. I meant to reform, but the world was 
 against me. I was frank when I asked for a place 
 and told my history. All I asked was a chance 
 to earn an honest living. Every one drew back from 
 me as though I had the smallpox. Not once did 
 I receive a word of encouragement. I went to a 
 minister and asked him to help me find work, but 
 he had been imposed on so often that he was suspi- 
 cious of me. Besides, he said it was Saturday and 
 he had his sermon only half written. If the saloon- 
 keepers hadn't helped me I would have starved. I 
 tramped all day yesterday without a bite to eat. 
 Last night I used the last cent I had to buy the 
 sandwich I was eating when you entered the restau-
 
 THR CHRISTIAN ATHLETE. 105 
 
 rant. The sight of your money crazed me. 1 
 wanted it. I meant no harm to you, miss, because 
 you fed the child. There is no chance for me and 
 it will he a relief when I am back in prison." 
 
 Helen quieted his fears by reading to him what 
 the Master said about such conditions. 
 
 One morning as she passed by him he said : "Miss 
 Helen, I've been reading the Bible and I've given 
 my heart to Christ. I see you have some Salvation 
 Army people here. I wonder if they would allow 
 me to wear one of their uniforms and work in their 
 ranks?" 
 
 When the man was able to be around again a 
 Salvation Army suit arrived. As Helen handed 
 him the suit she said: "We need some one to help 
 wait on the children every morning and if you care 
 to do so I will give you your lodging and break- 
 fast and 25 cents every morning for your work." 
 
 "Well, Miss Helen, I will help you until you get 
 some one to do the work, but the captain of the 
 Salvation Army told me he would help me in look- 
 ing after ex-prisoners and securing them work and 
 I want to do that." 
 
 He went forth to his chosen work but every morn- 
 ing found him kneeling in prayer with the children 
 in the free kindergarten. 
 
 While peculiar circumstances occasionally turned 
 Helen's aid to a man or woman her chief interest 
 was in the care of the children. 
 
 Many of the little ones who came to the "Friend- 
 ly Inn" heard kind words for the first time in their 
 life. No mother could have taken more interest 
 than did Helen in those children. She darned stock- 
 ings, patched pants and sewed on buttons as occa-
 
 106 ALONE IN THE WORLD. 
 
 sion demanded. One evening as Helen was putting 
 the children, in their beds one little fellow said, as 
 she rubbed the curls back from his forehead, "Miss 
 Helen, after you get all the boys tucked in won't 
 you come and rub my head again?" When Helen 
 came back the little fellow was sound asleep dream- 
 ing of Miss Helen and her beautiful hands. She 
 rubbed his curls back several times and offered up 
 a prayer for his safe-keeping. 
 
 A few days afterward, when this same little fel- 
 low was crossing the street he was run over by a 
 bicycle. Helen carried him in and placed him on 
 a cot, but soon saw the need of a physician. She 
 telephoned for the ambulance but when the men in 
 blue uniforms attempted to carry him out his grief 
 knew no bounds. "Don't let them take me away 
 from you, Miss Helen. Please don't !" Helen car- 
 ried him into the ambulance herself and went with 
 him to the city hospital. 
 
 He plead so pitifully for Miss Helen to remain 
 with him, but she told him she must go and put 
 her children to bed. "I will let Prince stay with 
 you until you go to sleep if you want him to." This 
 satisfied the little urchin and he was soon in a 
 fitful slumber. Prince was anxious to get back to 
 his mistress and bounded away the minute the nurse 
 opened the door for him. 
 
 Bright and early the next morning Helen was 
 at the hospital with some flowers for little Ben. 
 
 She noticed that there were very few flowers for 
 the other sick people. Her offer to bring flowers 
 every morning was gladly accepted. The patients 
 were overjoyed with her flowers and kind words. 
 
 It was several weeks before little Ben could sit
 
 THE CHRISTIAN ATHLETE. 107 
 
 up. Every morning when the door was opened foi 
 Helen, Prince would bound into the room and 
 race to the cot where his little friend was resting. 
 Several mornings a lady and gentleman visited the 
 hospital with Helen and talked with ! Jennie. One 
 morning the lady asked Bennie if he would like to 
 take a ride in her carriage. Bennie had never been 
 in a fine carriage and he was delighted over the 
 prospect. The physician smiled when Bennie asked 
 to go. "Yes," he said, "and you may stay until you 
 get ready to come back." The ride was delightful. 
 They drove up to a beautiful house and Bennie was 
 helped into the home. There was a place for him 
 at the table, and a little bed for him at night in 
 a beautiful room. 
 
 The next day Miss Helen came and asked him 
 how he would like to live there. "O, Miss Helen, 
 wouldn't it be fine ! If I only had a dog like Prince 
 I'd like it, for the lady is nearly like you." 
 
 The next day a St. Bernard puppy came from one 
 of the dog kennels in the city and Bennie's happi- 
 ness was complete, for Helen had found him a 
 home. 
 
 Many, many little tots that came to the "Friendly 
 Inn" soon found good homes through the efforts of 
 Miss Helen — working and watching and waiting and 
 never weary. At night after her work was done 
 she prayed a child's prayer for her dear ones in 
 the far east. She did not know what a change had 
 come into her old home after she had been driven 
 from its shelter. 
 
 One morning as Miss Helen left flowers at the 
 hospital she asked if there were any new patients. 
 She was told that a stranger had been brought in
 
 IOS ALONE IN THE WORLD. 
 
 in the night but that he was delirious and could 
 not he seen. 
 
 For days the stranger's life hung in the balance 
 and no one, not even the flower girl was permitted 
 to see him. There was considerable mystery sur- 
 rounding him, for there was nothing to indicate 
 who he was or where he was from. As he had no 
 money it was supposed he had been robbed. The 
 fact that he was a fine looking man without a name 
 naturally made his case a little more interesting 
 than that of others. He seemed to be laboring un- 
 der the impression that he was the chief of sinners. 
 Every morning a large bunch of flowers was left 
 at the stranger's door. 
 
 One morning the nurse gave to the flower girl 
 a description of the patient. "A tall man about 
 six feet, broad shoulders, big brown eyes, beautiful 
 white teeth ; yes, smooth face. His hair was gray." 
 
 As Helen left the hospital she said to herself: 
 "I could not help feeling uneasy until she said his 
 hair was gray. Father's hair is black. Besides, he 
 could not be away out here penniless and unknown. 
 Well, I suppose he is some one's father and I'll do 
 all I can to cheer him." 
 
 In another week the patient had gained so rapidly 
 that the physician said he was beyond danger. He 
 cautioned the nurse not to ask any questions as it 
 would be best for him to speak for himself. He 
 said the flower girl could be admitted the next 
 morning if she wished to arrange the flowers for 
 him. 
 
 The next morning when Helen came the nurse told 
 her she could arrange the flowers in room No. 5 
 if she wished.
 
 THE CHRISTIAN ATHLETE. 109 
 
 She couldn't tell why she was so nervous when 
 she went in. The patient was asleep with his face 
 turned toward the wall. She saw his gray, curly 
 locks and said to herself : "I wish I could talk with 
 him, but I'll wait until the next time." 
 
 When the patient awakened he asked the nurse 
 who had been so kind as to remember him with 
 such beautiful flowers. 
 
 "While you were asleep the lady who has charge 
 of the free kindergarten arranged the flowers. She 
 is known here in the hospital as the 'angel of mercy.' 
 I know you will be glad to talk with her for she 
 is no ordinary girl. I think she came here from 
 England. She is doing a wonderful work among 
 the children. The children call her Miss Helen." 
 
 The patient rubbed his hand over his forehead 
 and said: "Miss Helen — Helen is the sweetest 
 name I ever heard. I know I will like her because 
 her name is Helen. If I am asleep when she comes 
 again wake me up, will you please?" 
 
 The next morning the "angel of mercy" came with 
 a larger bouquet than usual. Prince had to be left 
 outside because for the last three weeks he had 
 barked so loudly every time he came to the hospital 
 that he disturbed the patients. Accordingly he was 
 now left in the hospital office. After the usual 
 visits Miss Helen knocked at the door of room No. 
 5. The nurse opened the door and she stepped in 
 to arrange the flowers. As she did so she gazed 
 full into the face of the sick man. The flowers 
 tumbled out of her hands as the man reached out 
 his trembling arms and said : "Helen !" "Father !" 
 said the sobbing girl as she knelt by the bedside 
 with her head pillowed on the breast of the over-
 
 IIO ALONE IN THE WORLD. 
 
 joyed father. When he had ordered her from home 
 she accepted his decree and went forth. Now when 
 he held out his arms and his heart she again took 
 him at his word. "Father and daughter wound 
 their arms around each other and the golden light 
 came streaming in and fell upon them locked to- 
 gether." 
 
 When Prince was allowed to enter the Captain 
 could not see him for the tears that surged from 
 a thankful soul. He reached out his hand and rested 
 it upon the head of the noble animal that had never 
 forsaken the "angel of mercy."
 
 CHAPTER VIII. 
 
 THE IMPOSTER UNMASKED. 
 
 "Good were it for that man if he had not been born." 
 
 A young father and mother, in a neat little cot- 
 tage, bent over their first born, a chubby-faced boy, 
 and were supremely happy. Such a time as they 
 had naming him — they looked through spelling- 
 books, newspapers and dictionaries. Finally Mrs. 
 Tupper said, "Oscar, I have decided that I like your 
 name the best; let's call him Oscar." 
 
 Mr. Tupper felt very much complimented and 
 agreed to the name. Oscar was a very bright little 
 fellow. Two cloudless years hurried by and the 
 baby was able to toddle to the window and chatter 
 "dad da" as he saw his father coming home from 
 work. 
 
 One evening the happy mother and sunny-faced 
 little boy were waiting at the window for "dad da." 
 "Dad da" was late, an unusual thing for him. What 
 could be keeping him ! A half hour, an hour, two 
 hours passed by and he did not come. A lamp was 
 placed in the window for him. 
 
 Finally when "dad da" was brought home so 
 still and white little Oscar could, not understand why 
 
 in
 
 112 THE IMPOSTER UNMASKED. 
 
 bis mamma cried. He cried with her continually 
 asking why "Dad da" did not wake up. The un- 
 feeling limited express had filled their happy home 
 with darkest clouds. 
 
 The widow and orphan faced the future with 
 brave hearts. Every night after the mother had 
 rocked the tired child to sleep she knelt by his little 
 bed and with her feeble arms lifted him up in prayer 
 to the throne of grace. Although the little home 
 had to be sold and they had to rent two small rooms 
 sunshine was never entirely shut out from their 
 lives. 
 
 As soon as Oscar was old enough he sold news- 
 papers and blacked boots. When he returned to his 
 mother with all his earnings he frequently felt a 
 warm tear fall on his happy upturned face. Then, 
 as he grew older he secured a place as office boy 
 in one of the large manufacturing establishments 
 of Cleveland. He took particular delight in handing 
 all his earnings every week to his mother. 
 
 One evening as Mrs. Tupper finished reading the 
 Bible she said, "Oscar, my dear boy, I have been 
 consulting a physician about a growth in my side 
 and he advises me to go to the hospital at once for 
 an operation. He thinks I cannot live long unless 
 I do go. There is considerable danger attending 
 the operation but it seems the only thing I can do. 
 I have decided to go tomorrow. There are some 
 things I want to talk to you about before I go. 
 Your father and I used to plan and plan what we 
 would like to have you do when you grew up to 
 manhood. But I remember a few nights before his 
 death he said : 'Well, after all T am not particular 
 whether Oscar is inclined to a trade or a profes-
 
 THE CHRISTIAN ATHI.KTK. II3 
 
 sion just so he is upright and honorable in all 
 things. I am anxious for him to be loyal to the 
 church and Sabbath school.' 
 
 "I am going to leave my Bible with you when I 
 go to the hospital. If I never come out alive I want 
 you to read the Bible every day and remember that 
 your father's chief desire is also mine." 
 
 Oscar took the Bible, but his eyes filled with 
 tears and he sobbed aloud when he tried to speak. 
 The next morning he kissed his mother good-bye 
 at the door of the hospital. 
 
 Mrs. Tupper's fears about the operation were 
 well grounded and one week after her advice to 
 her son she was cradled by the side of her husband. 
 That night as the grief-stricken boy went to his 
 room alone he read his mother's Bible. Each Sab- 
 bath found him attending all the services of the 
 nearby church. 
 
 One day Mr. McDonald, the president of the 
 Savings Bank, called on the president of the manu- 
 facturing company where Oscar worked, to inquire 
 about some institution of which they were trustees. 
 Mr. McDonald saw Oscar and took a fancy to him. 
 When he heard his story from his employer he said, 
 "We have a vacancy in the bank and I would like 
 to have just such a fellow. I am sure I can do 
 better by him than you can here if you will let 
 me have him." 
 
 The next morning when Oscar went to the office 
 he was sent to the Savings Bank. Mr. McDonald 
 spent some time in conversation with him. In the 
 course of his remarks he said : "I need a young 
 man here in the bank that I can trust. The place 
 is open to you. You may have this assurance that
 
 114 THE IMPOSTER UNMASKED. 
 
 if you are strictly honest and faithful I will advance 
 you in position and salary as often as the oppor- 
 tunity arises." 
 
 It is needless to say that Oscar was pleased with 
 his new position and the prospect before him. His 
 accuracy and capability were rewarded year after 
 year and he was regarded as almost indispensable. 
 He was finally made cashier. As he was promoted 
 from time to time and new faces came into the bank 
 he was no longer called Oscar, but Mr. Tupper. He 
 became acquainted with many young men and was 
 with them a great deal after banking hours. He 
 was prevailed upon to join a most excellent military 
 company known as the "Cleveland Grays." The 
 social life suited him and his genial dispositon made 
 him many friends. 
 
 One evening after drill he was informed that he 
 had been elected to membership in "The Wigwam." 
 "The Wigwam" was supposed to be the most aristo- 
 cratic club in Cleveland, and Mr. Tupper naturally 
 felt quite complimented. The surroundings were 
 not always to his liking but he soon became accus- 
 tomed to the tobacco smoke and the sight of cards. 
 In fact it was not long before he found intense 
 delight at the card and pool table. 
 
 One night when the ladies were invited in to 
 dance he was uncomfortable because every other 
 member of the club could dance and he could not. 
 He made up his mind not to be a "dummy" the 
 next time and so took private dancing lessons. 
 
 On one occasion he remained out so late at a 
 dinner party that he forgot to read his Bible before 
 retiring. "Well," he said to himself next morning, 
 "I will make up for lost time on the Sabbath."
 
 THE CHRISTIAN ATHXRTK. 115 
 
 As Mr. McDonald was about to leave the bank 
 one afternoon he said : "I would like to have two 
 weeks' vacation, Mr. McDonald. I haven't missed 
 a day since I began here. The fact is I am going 
 to be married." Of course he got his vacation. 
 
 The wedding was a society event, as Oscar had 
 married a most popular young lady. 
 
 Up to the night of his marriage he had been a 
 total abstainer. Many things at the supper were 
 flavored with rum. Finally his bride, in her viva- 
 cious way poured out a little glass of sparkling 
 wine which he lifted to her health and drained. As 
 he packed his valise that night for the wedding 
 journey he took out the Bible and laid it aside, say- 
 ing to himself: "I'll have plenty of time to read 
 that when I come back. Besides, I suppose my 
 bride would laugh heartily at me for doing such 
 a thing." 
 
 The first Sunday morning on their trip Oscar 
 said: "Well, I'm accustomed to go to church and 
 Sabbath school. Suppose we go over to the Pres- 
 byterian church." 
 
 "O, Oscar, let us remain here until after dinner 
 and then take a carriage ride. I'll go with you 
 when we get back home. Please?" 
 
 For the first time since his mother's death he 
 remained away from church and then for the first 
 time in his life took a pleasure ride on Sunday. 
 
 He was warmly welcomed and congratulated at 
 the bank on his return. Mr. McDonald said to him 
 as they walked out of the bank that evening : "Oscar, 
 I have been wondering where you were going to 
 live. Have you a house?" 
 
 "No, Mr. McDonald, we expect to live at the 
 hotel for awhile."
 
 Il6 THE IMPOSTER UNMASKED. 
 
 "Well, Oscar, you walk with me a few steps and 
 I'll show you a bargain in one of the neatest little 
 cottages in Cleveland. Here it is. A corner lot, 
 a choice street, a new house and a fine barn. The 
 man who built this failed in business just as the 
 house was finished and the place must be sold. It 
 is a great bargain." 
 
 "Well, Mr. McDonald, I like the place but I 
 haven't enough to buy and equip such a place at 
 present." 
 
 "If you want the place I'll loan you the money 
 without interest. Suppose you talk with Mrs. Tup- 
 per and let me know in the morning. Here are the 
 keys." 
 
 The next week the happy couple moved into their 
 beautiful little home. 
 
 Mrs. Tupper was very fond of company and the 
 little cottage was often the scene of delightful gath- 
 erings. Mr. Tupper was inclined at first to object 
 to wine but yielded at last and drank with the rest. 
 
 One night he came home from "The Wigwam" 
 and told his wife that some of his friends wanted 
 him to try for the nomination as mayor in the com- 
 ing convention. 
 
 Mr. Tupper said: "If Mr. McDonald had not 
 gone away on a vacation, I could think better 
 of the proposition. I ought to consult him about 
 the matter." All these objections were overruled 
 by his ambitious wife and at last he decided to try. 
 
 The campaign was entered into with all possible 
 cunning and shrewdness. There was considerable 
 expense which Mr. Tupper had not reckoned on. 
 It took all of his extra money and nearly all of 
 his wife's. Once in he was determined to win.
 
 THE CHRISTIAN ATHUCTK. 1 17 
 
 When the convention assembled it looked as if Mr. 
 Tupper would surely secure the nomination. On 
 the first ballot he led the other three candidates. 
 After some slight changes the convention settled 
 down into a deadlock and adjourned until the next 
 evening. Mr. Tupper was wrought up to the high- 
 est pitch of excitement and took several glasses of 
 brandy. One of his henchmen said that he felt sure 
 he could swing the convention to Mr. Tupper if he 
 only had $2500. The contest had already cost so 
 much money that Mr. Tupper said he did not feel 
 like putting more in. Still he was urged to put up ■ 
 the extra money. He did not say he would but he 
 did not give an emphatic answer. 
 
 That night he slept very little. What should he 
 do? He had already used nearly all the ready 
 money he and his wife had. In fact he had drawn 
 all he possibly could at the bank. He asked his 
 wife what to do. "Do! If your nomination depends 
 upon that amount take it out of the bank. Certainly ! 
 Why not ? The nomination is equivalent to an elec- 
 tion. This is your chance. Take the money, you 
 are in sole charge of the bank." 
 
 "My dear, you have left in the bank the amount 
 I need why can't I take that?" 
 
 "No, I must have that to draw on. You can get 
 the amount out of the bank. You are the cashier." 
 
 But Mr. Tupper was not willing to take the 
 amount out of the bank. In fact he knew there 
 were very serious hindrances to such an act even 
 if he desired to do so. As he went to his work 
 that morning he felt vexed at his wife because she 
 could not see that the best way was to give him 
 the last money she had. Finally he decided he would
 
 u8 the imposter unmasked. 
 
 forge his wife's name and draw on her account. 
 It was wrong-, he knew, but then he would not do 
 it again. He could easily replace the amount after 
 the election. After some hesitation he did the first 
 dishonorable act in his business career. 
 
 The money was used in the convention but an 
 unexpected thing happened. The three minor can- 
 didates combined and Mr. Tupper was defeated. 
 The defeat was a very bitter one. He could only 
 ask himself one question, "Why did I run, why did 
 I try?" 
 
 Mrs. Tupper was so sorely disappointed at her 
 husband's failure that she pouted and scolded and 
 reproved him until he was almost distracted. As 
 they sat down to the table the next day she said 
 with considerable bitterness : "To think that in ad- 
 dition to your failure you spent nearly all of my 
 money. I've always had plenty of my own ; now 
 you have spent all but my pin money." 
 
 The last statement stung Mr. Tupper to the very 
 heart. He did not say one word in reply. He left 
 his home earlier than usual. Something desperate 
 must be clone. As he glanced over the morning 
 papers somehow he could not get away from the 
 reports of the stock markets. He had a very inti- 
 mate friend on Wall street, New York, who had 
 grown quite wealthy through speculation. Why 
 couldn't he regain his lost fortunes by investing 
 through this friend? He was not long in deciding 
 to do so and found a ready response from his friend, 
 who advised investing in copper. He began in a 
 small way in collusion with his accomplice in New 
 York, to whom he sent drafts on the New York 
 balances of the bank of which he was cashier signed
 
 THE CHRISTIAN ATHI.ETB. 1 19 
 
 by himself. In addition to his stock peculations he 
 became deeply involved in his club life. In his des- 
 peration to recoup his losses he secured a two 
 weeks' vacation and went to New York. There, 
 in drink and intense excitement he went to the 
 aramblina: house. For a few times he was success- 
 ful and then came the old story over again. He 
 lost and kept losing. Finally the die was cast. To 
 temporarily tide over the situation he issued the 
 obligations of the bank signed by Alexander Mc- 
 Donald as president — a forgery by Mr. Tupper. 
 The gamblers made inquiries and found that there 
 was a Savings Bank in Cleveland and that Alexander 
 McDonald was the president. They therefore ac- 
 cepted the obligations in liquidation of the amount 
 so lost by Mr. Tupper. As the obligations were 
 not payable for thirty days, Mr. Tupper hurried 
 home determined to hold his position if possible, 
 even to placing the blame upon his great benefactor. 
 When the obligations came due they were pre- 
 sented to the bank for payment. Mr. Tupper re- 
 fused to pay until he had consulted the directors. 
 There was no evidence on the bank books of such 
 obligations. Mr. McDonald was still away on his 
 vacation and could not be consulted. The directors 
 decided not to pay the amount but adjourned until 
 the next night. On consulting with an eminent at- 
 torney they found that the bank was liable because 
 the president's name was signed to the paper. When 
 they met again the next night Mr. Tupper presented 
 Mr. McDonald's resignation which he alleged had 
 been received that clay. The directors at once ac- 
 cepted the resignation. Then they ordered the obli- 
 gations paid. The bank was weakened so much
 
 120 THE IMPOSTRR UNMASKED. 
 
 thai the directors decided to go into liquidation but 
 the public was to be informed that it was a tempor- 
 ary suspenson. In order to recoup the losses of 
 the bank it was decided to place an attachment upon 
 Mr. McDonald's property. 
 
 Before the matter reached the public ear Mr. 
 McDonald returned from his vacation. He knew 
 nothing of what had been going on and was dumb- 
 founded when informed that he was no longer pres- 
 ident. He supposed of course that he had been 
 summarily dismissed. The directors would have 
 nothing to do with him and informed him that Mr. 
 Tupper was the new president and he could talk with 
 him. Mr. Tupper gave him little light. He told 
 him that the bank was involved seriously and that 
 there would be a temporary suspension at least. 
 
 Mr. McDonald's deep sense of honor asserted 
 itself that night and he resolved that not a depositor 
 should lose a dollar. When the morning paper an- 
 nounced the suspension of the bank the people could 
 scarcely believe the report. One of the papers pub- 
 lished an interview from the new president who 
 said he could not account for the matter unless Mr. 
 McDonald had been gambling. Shortly after the 
 paper came out with the interview Mr. Tupper, it 
 is true, had called up Mr. McDonald and declared 
 that the reporter had misrepresented him. It was 
 noticeable, however, that he did not deny the inter- 
 view in a public way. Up to the time of the inter- 
 view Mr. McDonald was completely at sea. -His 
 suspicion for the first time centered on his cashier. 
 He wondered if Mr. Tupper had had him dismissed 
 in order to get the position of president. Perhaps 
 the difficulties of the bank were due to Mr. Tup-
 
 THE CHRISTIAN ATHLETE. 121 
 
 per*s action. But why should Mr. Tupper do such 
 a thing? He had a good salary, he had a charming 
 wife and a comfortable home, and he stood well in 
 society. 
 
 One evening Mr. McDonald and Mr. Tupper ac- 
 cidentally met on the street. As Mr. McDonald 
 looked at Mr. Tupper he felt more deeply con- 
 vinced than ever that he had rightly placed the 
 blame. Mr. Tupper was pale, nervous, rather glum 
 and without his customary fearless gaze. 
 
 As Mr. Tupper went into his home that evening 
 he was unusually nervous. He did not like the way 
 Mr. McDonald looked at him. He did not like the 
 way he was questioned by him. And above all, he 
 was aggravated at what Mr. McDonald said as they 
 parted : "The whole affair will come to light some 
 time, for murder, though it hath no tongue, will 
 speak with most miraculous organ." Mr. Tupper 
 said to himself: "I need not worry. I can hold my 
 own tongue. Still, I wish I had not done the work. 
 I have a little of that money and some day I'll 
 get out of here and enjoy myself." 
 
 He did not sleep well that night. He had fitful 
 dreams. He rolled and tossed but sleep seemed 
 driven from his life. He heard a noise at the front 
 gate and saw two policemen talking. He imagined 
 that they had come to arrest him. A sickly fear 
 came over him as he locked and bolted the door. 
 When he peeped out again and saw them moving 
 off on their beats he laughed at his foolish fears. 
 
 The next morning something went wrong at home 
 and for the first time he cursed — cursed his wife. 
 He felt in his heart that she was partly responsible 
 for his wrong-doing and he hated her — hated her
 
 122 THE IMPOSTER UNMASKED. 
 
 beautiful eyes, hated her rosy cheeks, hated her 
 costly gowns, hated her as he hated a slimy ser- 
 pent. Her very presence made him unspeakably 
 ugly in disposition. 
 
 One Sunday morning he resolved to go to church 
 and try to live right. He would atone for his wrong 
 doing by attending church, and giving liberally for 
 its support. He went to hear the Rev. Dr. Carter 
 preach. He slipped a $20 bill into the plate as it 
 passed by. But somehow he felt uneasy while Dr. 
 Carter was preaching — especially as he was preach- 
 ing about Judas. The sin of ungratefulness never 
 seemed so awful to him before. As he went out he 
 secretly cursed Dr. Carter for putting such a thought 
 before him. Why didn't he preach on love or for- 
 giveness or charity? 
 
 The next Sunday he resolved to go where the 
 minister was supposed to preach every person into 
 heaven. But when he went into the church he did 
 not like the looks of the interior. He did not like 
 the looks of the audience. He did not like the 
 singing. Then when the minister preached on "Life- 
 less Creeds" he turned away in disgust. 
 
 The next Sunday he went to hear a famous 
 evangelist. He believed just what the evangelist 
 said about "Peace, the fruit of righteousness." As 
 he went into his room that night he unbound his 
 mother's Bible and wept over his lost condition. The 
 conscious stricken man could not pray. He turned 
 to his well thumbed copy of Hamlet and read aloud 
 his own condition :
 
 THE CHRISTIAN ATHLETE. 1 23 
 
 "O, my offense is rank, it smells to heaven! 
 
 Pray can I not : 
 Though inclination be as sharp as will, 
 My stronger guilt defeats my strong intent ; 
 And, like a man to double business bound, 
 I stand in pause where I shall first begin, 
 And both neglect. Whereto serves mercy 
 But to confront the visage of offence? 
 And what's in prayer but this twofold force- 
 To be forstalled ere we come to fall, 
 Or pardoned being down? Then I'll look up; 
 My fault is past. But, O, what form of prayer 
 Can serve my turn? Forgive me my foul deeds? 
 That cannot be ; since I am still possess'd 
 Of those effects for which I did the deed, 
 My wealth, mine own ambition and my place. 
 May one be pardoned and retain the offence? 
 In the corrupted currents of this world 
 Offence's gilded hand may shove-by justice; 
 And oft 'tis seen the wicked prize itself 
 Buys out the law : but 'tis not so above ; 
 There is no suffling,— there the action lies 
 In his true nature; and we ourselves compelled 
 Even to the teeth and forehead of our faults, 
 To give-in evidence. What then? What rests? 
 Try what repentance can? What can it not? 
 Yet what can it when one cannot repent? 
 O wretched state ! O bosom black as death ! 
 O limed soul, that struggling to be free 
 Art more engaged! Help angels! Make assay! 
 Bow, stubborn knees; and, heart with strings of steel, 
 Be soft as sinews of a new-born babe! 
 All may be well." 
 
 The wretched man threw down the book and 
 gazed long and earnestly out into his starless world. 
 
 Then he cursed himself to think that he was silly 
 enough to try to repent. He picked up a striking 
 novel and tried to read. He hated the principal 
 character because he was honest. He hated him
 
 124 THE IMPOSTER UNMASKED. 
 
 because he refused to smoke and drink. He hated 
 him because he told the truth. He did not read 
 far enough to see how the villain turned out. he 
 didn't want to know. 
 
 The next night he went to a theater and then 
 another and finally at the end of the week he turned 
 away from the theater cursing the gullibility of a 
 fickle public and the hollowness of the cheap wit. 
 
 He went into his room and locking the door be- 
 hind him resolved to drown his conscience in strong 
 drink. The accursed poison was poured down his 
 feverish throat until he sank in a stupor and re- 
 mained there until morning. 
 
 At the breakfast table his wife expressed surprise 
 at his haggard looks and bloodshot eyes. He flew 
 into a rage and left the table. 
 
 Such treatment began to tell on her. She was 
 no longer the happy, thoughtless girl of a few 
 months ago. Her life was unhappy. When her 
 husband first acted coldly towards her she did not 
 mind it. She was not particular so long as she 
 had all the money she wanted. But now in addition 
 to his coldness and cruelty he refused to give so 
 liberally, and even refused to see her except at the 
 breakfast table. 
 
 One morning she made a pitiful appeal to her 
 husband : "Oscar, what have I done that you hate 
 me so? Tell me what I have done and I'll do what 
 I can to right the wrong. I can't stand this kind 
 of a life." 
 
 "Curse you," he hissed, "I hate you as I hate my- 
 self. You are no more to blame than I am. I mar- 
 ried you because you were beautiful. You married 
 me because you thought you would be benefited
 
 THE CHRISTIAN ATHLETE- 1 25 
 
 iii a social way. Help me? You have helped me 
 to make myself accursed. There was a time when 
 you could have helped me, but it's too late now. 
 I hate you as I hate myself." 
 
 After Mr. McDonald's loss of home and position 
 he was almost crushed. How could any one think 
 that he had misapplied the funds of the bank. Mrs. 
 McDonald's brother in Scotland learned of the troub- 
 les of his sister and her husband and kept sending 
 a small amount each month for their support. At 
 first Mr. McDonald rebelled against taking the 
 money, but he did not want to face famine. He 
 spent the most of his time brooding over his mis- 
 fortune and wondering how he could vindicate him- 
 self. He watched Mr. Tupper's movements as 
 closely as possible. He observed his associates and 
 companions. Mr. Tupper had changed radically and 
 was dissipating to a fearful degree but what puz- 
 zled him was to find where Mr. Tupper had used 
 the large amount said to have been taken. He 
 surely was in collusion with some one. Thus mus- 
 ing and wondering and suspecting, month after 
 month kept slipping by and finally Mr. McDonald 
 was ready to abandon the hope of ever being vindi- 
 cated. 
 
 Mr. Tupper kept getting deeper and deeper into 
 debt until one day he realized that he must surely 
 lose his position by the end of the month. He was 
 in disrepute in his clubs because of debts and dissi- 
 pation. He hated his home, his wife, his associates, 
 his native city. Why not take all the money he 
 could get by fair means or foul and go to some for- 
 eign country to live in peace and plenty ? What did 
 he care for the depositors or the bank?
 
 126 THE IMPOSTBR UNMASKED. 
 
 ( )ne morning the cashier and clerks were in a 
 Hurry of excitement. Mr. Tupper had gone, and 
 with him the deposits. The papers chronicled Mr. 
 Tupper's fall, and a large reward was offered for 
 his arrest. The officers of the law went at once to 
 Mr. Tupper's house. 
 
 Mrs. Tupper was completely dazed when the 
 officers entered the house to arrest her husband. 
 After searching the house one officer turned to her 
 and said: "Madam, I'm sorry to be compelled to 
 arrest you as an accomplice, but that is my duty." 
 
 Mrs. Tupper ran to the opposite corner of the 
 room and stood like a wild animal at bay. As the 
 officer approached her, her wild screams froze the 
 blood in his veins. She was finally taken away a 
 raving maniac, to beat her life out against the cruel 
 bars. 
 
 There was almost as much excitement over Mr. 
 Tupper's fall as there had been over Mr. McDon- 
 ald's failure. 
 
 Every one seemed anxious for the capture of the 
 faithless man. 
 
 Some one had seen the fleeing president in the 
 big woods out at the edge of the city, and searching 
 parties were soon scouring the country. One morn- 
 ing after a heavy rain had passed, Mr. Tupper 
 crawled to the edge of a cave in which he had been 
 hiding. He heard the deep baying of bloodhounds 
 and a sickly feeling drove him back into the clammy 
 darkness, where he stood petrified with fear. Fin- 
 ally the sound of the dogs grew fainter, and he 
 again crawled out to steal some food from a near- 
 by farm house. 
 
 One evening a searching party came very sud-
 
 THE CHRISTIAN ATHLETE- 1 27 
 
 denly into view. Mr. Tupper hastily climbed a tree 
 and hid among the thick branches. The party halted 
 for a few moments under the tree and he heard 
 their conversation. 
 
 The leader of the party was the man to whom 
 he had given the $2500.00 to secure him the nomi- 
 nation as mayor. Like a wild animal he glared 
 down upon that man and hated him with all the 
 hatred of his soul. He pulled his weapon from 
 his pocket and drew a deadly aim upon the man — 
 then he slowly pushed the weapon back into his 
 pocket, saying to himself, "I'll not add that crime 
 to my list." 
 
 One dark night a man stole silently into the great 
 city of Cleveland. He found a newspaper on a pile 
 of rubbish, where he halted for a moment and 
 paused to read it. He was dazed as he saw the 
 head-lines, "Mrs. Oscar Tupper Dead! Dies a 
 raving maniac, after being arrested as her husband's 
 accomplice !" He crushed the paper and moved 
 out and on to the little cottage once called home. 
 The house was dark. There was no sign of life. 
 He went to the barn and crawled into it. Groping 
 around he found and lighted a lantern. With a 
 trembling hand he wrote a letter to Mr. Alexander 
 McDonald. Every step was given in his fall. He 
 explained his anguish over his treachery. He told 
 of his last plan to escape to another country. As 
 he wiped the cold sweat from his brow he concluded 
 with these words — 
 
 "I cannot blame any one but myself. When I read in 
 a paper I found this evening about the unhappy end of 
 the woman who bore my name I felt I could not let the 
 blame rest upon her. While it is true she was not much
 
 128 THE IMPOSTER UNMASKED. 
 
 help to me, she was not a partner in my crimes. It will 
 not be necessary for the officers or those who once pro- 
 fessed to be my friends and helped me into crime to 
 search for me. 
 
 Your unworthy servant, 
 
 Oscar Tupper." 
 
 Putting out the light, he crawled out of the barn 
 and moved cautiously to Mr. McDonald's home and 
 placed this confession in the mail box by the door. 
 Then he glided from one street to another until he 
 paused on the shore of the great lake. Unfastening 
 a boat, he floated silently out and disappeared for- 
 ever in the restless waves.
 
 CHAPTER IX. 
 
 HARMONY IN DIVERSITY. 
 
 "And we know that all things work together for good 
 to them that love God." 
 
 Rufus left Helen in San Francisco with many 
 misgivings. He wondered how she would get along 
 all alone. Yet his fears were quieted every time her 
 face rose before him as he had seen it in the Holy 
 Land. He prayed nearly every hour in the day. 
 "Good Lord take care of Miss Helen." He secured 
 employment on an excursion train as far as Chicago, 
 but could not go further unless he would promise to 
 go to Boston. He couldn't do that because he had 
 orders to stop at Cleveland. He expressed his dis- 
 appointment to one of his companions, who said, 
 "Why don't you tell them that you will go to Bos- 
 ton and then get off when you reach Cleveland." 
 
 "No, sir," said Rufus. 'Tse not gwine to tell a 
 lie. No, indeed. I'se asked de good Lord to look 
 after a friend of mine, and I'm sure he doin' it. 
 Do you s'pose I'd go back on de Lord? No, sir !" 
 
 A new man took the place of Rufus when the 
 special arrived in Chicago. Rufus felt sorely dis- 
 appointed as he walked out into the great city. He 
 
 129
 
 130 HARMONY IN DIVERSITY. 
 
 had a little money left, but lie did not want to use 
 it until he was compelled to do so. He traveled 
 for days in the great city seeking employment. At 
 last, foot-sore and weary, he despaired of getting 
 work. One evening he noticed a cut-rate ticket 
 office sign, "To Cleveland for $1.00." Rufus went 
 in, purchased a second-class ticket, and was soon 
 happy on the way. 
 
 On arriving in Cleveland he at once consulted a 
 directory and found that there were several McDon- 
 alds. Running down the list, he found Everett 
 McDonald's name and address. After much walk- 
 ing, he came to the little cottage and rang the bell. 
 
 Liza answered the bell. As she opened the door 
 and saw one of her own race she said with consid- 
 erable importance, "Well, sah !" 
 
 "I has a message for Mista Everett McDonald. 
 Is he here?" 
 
 "No, sah ! He is not home. Do you want to 
 leave the message with me?" 
 
 "De message am for Everett McDonald. I can- 
 not give it to any one but jes' him. When will he 
 be in?" 
 
 "Well, sah, he done went away some time ago, 
 and we are not expecting him back to supper to- 
 night." 
 
 "Will he be here tomorrow, do you s'pose?" 
 
 "Of course, he won't. What do you suppose? 
 He is in de East." 
 
 "What place is he visitin'?" 
 
 "Visitin' ! Mr. Everett's workinV" 
 
 "Well, wha' is he workin'? I'd like to know, 
 case I has an important message for him." 
 
 "Now, what can be so 'portant dat you can't
 
 THE CHRISTIAN ATHLKTK. I3I 
 
 tell me? I'm his ole Aunty, and lie depends on me 
 for his news." 
 
 "I has a message from one of his best friends, 
 and it will mean a heap to him. I'se not.goin' to 
 tell yon. If yon don't tell me whar he is and he's 
 kept in ign'ance on you' account I imagine his old 
 aunty will see sure nuff fire in Mr. Everett's eyes 
 when she does see him." 
 
 "Have you had your supper?" asked Liza, grow- 
 ing a little more friendly, and not quite sure aboL.t 
 what she should do. "The folks am out, and there 
 is plenty left." 
 
 Rufus gladly accepted the invitation, and stepped 
 in. Liza gave him a splendid supper, and again 
 asked him what he wanted with Mr. Everett. 
 
 Rufus was firm in his refusal. As he started to 
 leave the house he said, ' 'Is you a Christian?" 
 
 "Yes, indeed!" 
 
 "You believes in de good Lord den ?" 
 
 "Guess I do." 
 
 "Well, if you don't want a pow'ful jedgment 
 brought down on you' head you'd better done tell 
 me whar Everett McDonald is, sose I kin help him." 
 
 "Well," said Liza, hesitatingly. "Well, sah, his 
 folks am gone, and he is in de East in mission 
 work." 
 
 This was all Rufus could learn from her, and he 
 went away, crestfallen. He visited the cottage sev - 
 eral times, but Mr. and Mrs. McDonald could not 
 be seen. For some strange reason, Liza was afraid 
 Rufus wanted to harm Mr. Everett, and gave him 
 no further information than he received on the first 
 visit. 
 
 At last Rufus secured passage on a steamer to
 
 I32 HARMONY IN DIVERSITY. 
 
 Buffalo. After searching through Buffalo he de- 
 cided to go further. When he had obtained enough 
 money he went to New York City. He felt sure 
 he would find Mr. Everett there — but after looking 
 through all the mission stations he decided that Mr. 
 Everett was not in New York. 
 
 Finally, he had an opportunity to work his way 
 to Boston on a steamer. He had never been in 
 Boston, and as he started out he was somewhat 
 puzzled. over the directions of the streets. He in- 
 quired of a policeman about "mission stations." 
 
 The good-natured Irishman looked at Rufus and 
 said: "Are ye a missionary from Chiny?" 
 
 "No," said Rufus, "I'se jest come from Ireland." 
 
 "Begorra, ye look like ye came from Cork," said 
 the amused policeman, as he gave him directions. 
 
 Rufus tried to follow the instructions. After 
 winding and twisting for a couple of hours he came 
 upon another policeman that looked very familiar. 
 He asked him about misson stations. 
 
 "Well," said the policeman, "Oi think ye are the 
 missionary from Ireland Oi directed a couple of 
 hours ago, aren't ye?" 
 
 Rufus looked at the officer, and then up at the 
 Union station. Sure enough he had been traveling 
 in a circle. 
 
 The policeman directed him again, and again he 
 started out. He walked and walked, rested and 
 then started out again. At last, thoroughly mysti- 
 fied, he touched a policeman on the shoulder to 
 inquire again. 
 
 As the policeman looked up, he saw the same 
 fellow who had inquired of him twice before. 
 
 "I can't tell wha the trouble is, wid me or de
 
 THE CHRISTIAN ATHLETE. 133 
 
 streets of Boston," said Rufus, in answer to the 
 policeman. "I'se been in large cities, but I'se never 
 been so twisted in my life." 
 
 "Oi don't wonder at yer gettin' bewildered/' said 
 the officer. "Oi've lived here all me life and be- 
 gorra Oi have to carry a chart and compass and 
 lunch wid me when Oi'm off duty. Oi'm off duty 
 in a half hour and if ye'll wait Oi'll steer ye to a 
 bunk for the night." 
 
 In a couple of days Rufus got over his twisted 
 feeling by remembering how Washington Street ran 
 and where the State House stood. 
 
 At last he had all the mission stations located 
 and after visiting several of them, came to the Bap- 
 tist Mission where Everett McDonald was laboring. 
 A good lady passing by informed him that there 
 would be no service in the chapel until Sunday 
 morning. 
 
 On Sunday morning he went to the mission sta- 
 tion and saw a tall, handsome young man in the 
 pulpit. He had a wealth of wavy black hair, a 
 smooth-shaven face and big blue eyes. His voice 
 was not of a very low pitch, but it was full of mel- 
 ody. As Rufus listened to the helpful and charm- 
 ing talk, he said to himself, "If dis is the gemen 
 Miss Helen loves I don't blame her. But my ! how 
 kin I ever git up enough grit to give him de whole 
 message? But I hasn't toiled across de country to 
 be a coward." 
 
 After the service was over, Rufus went forward 
 and shook hands with Everett McDonald and said : 
 
 "I'd like to chat wid you after dese folks has 
 gone." 
 
 "Certainly, said Everett, "take a seat."
 
 134 HARMONY IN DIVERSITY. 
 
 The people tarried quite a while to visit with 
 each other and talk with their spiritual leader. 
 
 At last all were gone but one degraded looking 
 fellow to whom Everett had been earnestly talking. 
 The fellow was under deep conviction, and Everett 
 finally persuaded him to kneel in prayer. 
 
 Rufus knelt with them. Everett prayed so simply 
 and earnestly and powerfully for the struggling 
 sinner, that Rufus could not help raising his head 
 to look at the sight. The light was reflected full 
 in Everett's uplifted face. One hand was resting 
 on the repenting sinner and the other was lifted 
 to heaven. As he continued in supplication the tears 
 rolled like sacred sparkling diamonds down his 
 cheeks. 
 
 As Rufus looked on that sight he remembered 
 another tear-stained face he had gazed upon, and 
 pressing his head into his hands he prayed, "O, 
 Lord, if you'se can light up a face in dis mission 
 house as well as upon Mt. Olivet, come into my 
 black face !" 
 
 The penitent prayed, and as he concluded Rufus 
 unconsciously sang in his melodious and consecrated 
 voice : 
 
 "I am coming to the cross ; 
 
 I am poor and weak and blind ; 
 I am counting all but dross ; 
 
 I shall full salvation find." 
 
 As he sang the last verse — 
 
 "In the promises I trust, 
 
 Now I feel the blood applied ; 
 1 am prostrate in the dust, 
 
 1 with Christ am crucified,'" 
 
 the penitent leaped to his feet a free man and praised
 
 THE CHRISTIAN ATHLETii. I." V S 
 
 God for a full salvation. It was difficult to tell 
 which one of the three was the happiest. Finally the 
 redeemed man went out and Rufus and Everett were 
 left alone. 
 
 "What can I do for you ?" said Everett as he 
 wiped the happy tears out of his eyes. 
 
 "Mr. Everett, I has done you a wrong and Fse 
 traveled across de continent to rieht de wrong." 
 
 Everett was amazed at such a statement, for he 
 had never seen the colored man before. 
 
 Rufus continued : "I was for a long time a serv- 
 ant in de Day home in Columbus, Ohio." 
 
 "Is Helen alive and well?" quickly asked the 
 excited listener. 
 
 "Yes, Mr. Everett. Jes' wait and I will tell you 
 all. Helen's father is de best Cap n dat has ever 
 been stationed in Columbus. Besides bein' a fine 
 soldier he is also a man of heaps of money an' style. 
 Helen is de only child, and he wants her to marry 
 some gemen of very high standin'. After a trip 
 to de University whar you were attendin' he comes 
 back pow'fully decided dat Miss Helen should not 
 go wid you." 
 
 "Well, I know all that. Go on," said Everett. 
 
 "Den he 'lows dat he will send Miss Helen 
 abroad wid her mother. I was sent along to keep 
 any of her letters reachin' you or any of yours 
 reachin' her. And, Mr. Everett, 1 beg you' pardon 
 for I did it." 
 
 "Never mind that, go on with your story. I want 
 to know about Helen, not about your faults. Of 
 course, I forgive you ; go on." 
 
 "Well, de next mornin' after we gits home from 
 abroad Miss Helen writes a letter to you and is
 
 136 HARMONY IN DIVERSITY. 
 
 gwine to send it. No — Mr. Everett, I can't tells 
 you all, but Miss Helen is ail right." 
 
 Everett leaped to his feet and, with flashing eyes, 
 said, "Go on, tell me all." 
 
 "Well, Mr. Everett, Capt'n Day done ordered her 
 to give him de letter and go back on vou. Because 
 she would not, he druv her away from home. I 
 couldn't think of her goin' away alone, so I fol- 
 lowed her 'til she landed in San Francisco, where 
 she is now. I tole her 'bout what I had done, and 
 she 'mediately sent me out to find you." 
 
 "Poor Helen! Has she any money?" 
 
 "O, yes, she has money, and tole me to be sure 
 and tell you dat she's happy. She didn't want you 
 to change any of you' plans for her sake." 
 
 Everett plied Rufus with questions until he had 
 every detail from the time Helen had left school 
 until Rufus had left her — except that Rufus did 
 not tell that he had given her his savings and was 
 himself penniless. 
 
 Finally Everett said: "Rufus, you must go back 
 to Columbus and see Captain and Mrs. Day. Find 
 out if they will give me an interview. I cannot 
 think of having a home broken up on my account. 
 Captain Day does not understand me. Do not tell 
 him where Helen is ; do not write Helen that 1 am 
 going to Columbus. Just ask Captain Day if he 
 will give me an interview. If he does not, then I 
 will go to Helen." 
 
 Rufus left two days afterward for the Capital 
 City. Everett was restless and anxious. Saturday 
 night came, and still no news. 
 
 The next morning was Communion service in 
 the chapel. The place was crowded and a few stood 
 at the back part of the room.
 
 THE CHRISTIAN ATHT.RTE. 137 
 
 The services, always impressive, seemed doubly 
 so that morning. The theme of the discourse was 
 "The Loneliness of Jesus." The minister tore aside 
 the drapery of Scripture and the Lord Jesus Christ 
 stood before that audience. They saw Him in the 
 manger, in the carpenter shop, they saw Him cast 
 out from His home and kindred. They saw Him 
 driven by misguided men from one place to an- 
 other, and all wept with Everett as they saw Him 
 nailed to the cross for their sakes. Then he ap- 
 plied the subject and asked how many were driving 
 Jesus from their hearts and homes. He said too 
 many people forgot that this same Master had said 
 "Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least 
 of my brethren, ye have done it unto me." As he 
 was applying the last thought with dramatic power 
 a very well dressed lady in the back part of the room 
 fainted away. She was taken into the vestibule 
 and soon revived. She persisted in going back to 
 the service, saying: "The air was a little oppres- 
 sive. I will be all right now." 
 
 Everett asked the communicants to come and 
 kneel at the altar. The little altar was crowded for 
 the fifth time. As the last offer was made five more 
 came forward. Everett gave an unconscious start 
 as the well dressed lady approached and knelt at 
 the altar. Had he ever seen her face before? 
 Where? As they arose he could not give them any 
 words of comfort and guidance. He simply said, 
 "Go in peace." 
 
 After the service, Everett was about to go out 
 when the woman stepped into the room and said, 
 "You are Everett McDonald, aren't you?" 
 
 "Yes, madam."
 
 I38 HARMONY IN DIVERSITY. 
 
 "I am Helen Day's mother. O, Mr. McDonald, 
 if you could only tell me Helen was alive and well 
 I would be the happiest mother on earth." She sank 
 at his feet with uplifted hands and agonized coun- 
 tenance. Everett took her by the hand and said : 
 "I have just learned of Helen's whereabouts. She 
 is alive and well." 
 
 The tired, weary, overjoyed mother sank uncon- 
 scious to the floor. Everett picked her up in his 
 strong arms and laid her gently on a seat. He 
 placed his coat under her head and stood fanning 
 her with his hat. When she revived she looked 
 strangely around, and then everything came back 
 to her as she saw Everett McDonald's anxious face. 
 
 "I'm all right," she said, "only I am so weak and 
 nervous. It has been so long since Helen left home, 
 and I have suffered so much that I have little 
 strength left. Is Helen with you? Her father and 
 I both love her and would gladly welcome her back 
 to the old home. O, may I see her?" 
 
 "She is not with me, Mrs. Day. I only learned 
 the facts in the case a little less than a week ago." 
 He then told her what he had heard from Rufus. 
 
 "Dear, dear Rufus!" said Mrs. Day, again and 
 aofain. "And so Helen is in San Francisco?" 
 
 Then Mrs. Day told Everett about the search she 
 and Captain Day had been making, how they had 
 left their old home, and how they had finally de- 
 cided to search separately. 
 
 As Everett listened to her pitiful story, his heart 
 was deeply pained. The veins stood out like whip- 
 cords on his forehead, and the cold perspiration 
 came in every pore. Finally he said : "Mrs. Day, 
 you are too weak to walk back to the hotel. You
 
 THE CHRISTIAN ATHUJTK. I39 
 
 rest here a moment and I will hail a cab." He soon 
 had a cab at the door and went with Mrs. Day to 
 the hotel. 
 
 He then sent the following telegram : 
 
 "Miss Helen Day. San Francisco, Cal. 
 Care of Salvation Army : 
 "Your mother is here with me. Can you return to your 
 old home? There is a warm welcome for you. Answer at 
 
 once. 
 
 "Everett McDonald." 
 
 The next day Everett McDonald received the 
 
 following : 
 
 "Everett McDonald, Boston, Mass.: 
 
 "Father is here with me. He is unable to leave at 
 present. Send mother here at once. 
 
 "Helen Day." 
 
 Everett never forgot the look of joy that came 
 into Mrs. Day's face as he read the message to her. 
 "Isn't God good?" she said, as she brushed the tears 
 from her cheeks. 
 
 Everett walked over to the window and stood si- 
 lent for several moments. Then he said, "Mrs. 
 Day, you will have just three hours to get ready for 
 the train that runs through without change to San 
 Francisco. You will arrive there Saturday morn- 
 ing at 10:30. I purchased your ticket on the way 
 up here." 
 
 Mrs. Day was soon ready but refused to ride to 
 the station. Outside in the crowded street she took 
 Everett's arm, and they walked slowly to the depot. 
 She tried to persuade Everett to go with her, but 
 he said, "O, no, you go. I can't leave now. Wait 
 and see what Mr. Day says." 
 
 Of course, the train seemed to go slowly, and 
 yet it was the overland limited hurrying forward
 
 140 HARMONY IN DIVERSITY. 
 
 with the greatest speed possible. Across prairies, 
 around hills, through valleys and under mountains 
 — on the train sped until Saturday morning, when 
 it swung into the San Francisco depot. 
 
 Helen and Prince were waiting with intense anx- 
 iety, for it seemed that even Prince knew Mrs. Day 
 was coming. As Mrs. Day stepped from the train 
 Prince was beside himself with joy and barked 
 with wildest delight. Mrs. Day was hysterical and 
 it was some minutes before she could regain her 
 usual composure. 
 
 "Where is father?" she asked. 
 
 "He was quite sick when he reached San Fran- 
 cisco, and had to be taken to the hospital. He is 
 very much improved, and will soon be able to be 
 out. I told him that I had heard from you and 
 that you were all right. The doctor thinks we had 
 better not excite him too much. You can see him 
 in a day or two." 
 
 Mrs. Day went around with Helen through her 
 wonderland, and seemed to grow young again as 
 she watched Helen take care of the little tots. As 
 the children were about to retire each one would 
 kneel by his little bed and repeat a prayer, and in- 
 variably conclude, "Bless Miss Helen." 
 
 Mrs. Day said as they retired at night, "Helen, 
 it is no wonder you were protected when all those 
 dear little children were praying for you." 
 
 One day as Helen carried some flowers to the 
 hospital for her father she said, "Mother is coming 
 out to San Francisco to the hospital before long." 
 
 "I am so glad," said the weak man, "for I am so 
 anxious to see her. That is the one thing I lack to 
 make me supremely happy."
 
 THE CHRISTIAN ATHI.ETK. I 
 
 The next day the one thing- Captan Day lacked 
 was supplied, for some one besides Helen arranged 
 the flowers and ministered to his wants. 
 
 As soon as Captain Day was able to be out of 
 the hospital he had some delightful drives about 
 the city. One day he learned all the facts about 
 Everett McDonald from Mrs. Day. Then a letter 
 was forwarded in the large mail that had been 
 waiting for months at Columbus that made him 
 see Everett McDonald in a still clearer light. It 
 ran thus : 
 
 "Dear Capt. Day: I write you at the earliest possible 
 convenience in regard to some things I have learned about 
 my former room-mate, Everett McDonald. The poor fam- 
 ily in the college town where we saw Mr. McDonald go 
 was not related to him in any way. He was the means of 
 bringing not only that family but six others into the Chris- 
 tian life. Mr. McDonald is a far nobler man than I ever 
 dreamed he was. Besides I have also learned that his 
 father did not defraud one person out of a penny. Al- 
 though the family is poor, they are all honorable. What I 
 did was what I believed to be right, and yet it all savored 
 somewhat of jealousy, which I am happy to say does not 
 now exist. 
 
 Believe me very truly your friend, 
 
 Charles Haskell." 
 
 One evening Captain Day handed Helen a mes- 
 sage, and directed her to send it. "Read it aloud, 
 Helen," and Helen read : 
 
 "Everett McDonald, Boston, Mass.: 
 
 "I appreciate fully all you have done for us. When we 
 are in a position to do so we will gladly welcome you to 
 our home. Capt. Day." 
 
 "And I shall send this," said Helen. 
 
 "Yes, my daughter. I have been misled and I 
 have done wrong. All I can do to right the wrong 
 will be done."
 
 142 HARMONY IN DIVERSITY. 
 
 Helen took her father around to see what she 
 had been doing. Captain Da)' was perfectly 
 amazed at Helen's work. As he saw the devotion 
 of the little ones to Helen he said, "If I had an 
 army that was as loyal to me as these little ones 
 are to Helen I could conquer the world." 
 
 The second week after being able to be out, he 
 was by Helen's side for the worship in the Friendly 
 Inn. He had listened several mornings to Helen 
 as she read the Holy Book and prayed for the chil- 
 dren. This morning the horny hand of the stern 
 soldier became gentle as he took in his hand instead 
 of the sword of steel the sword of the spirit. As 
 he began to read he felt more and more that the 
 great things of this world could be accomplished 
 not by might nor by power, but by the Lord's spirit 
 of love. His hair was gray, but his face was young 
 and it beamed with the gentleness of a true soldier 
 of the cross. He closed the book with a tender 
 touch and knelt among the children. As Helen for 
 the first time heard her father lift his voice in praise 
 and thanksgiving to the giver of every good and 
 perfect gift her intense joy found expression in a 
 flood of happy tears.
 
 CHAPTER X. 
 
 A CLOUDLESS MORNING. 
 
 "We will rejoice in thy salvation, and in the name of 
 our God we will set up our banners : the Lord fulfill all 
 thy petitions." 
 
 The decision of Everett McDonald in regard to 
 the prize fight was not followed by any regret. He 
 asked himself the question many times : "Why did 
 I entertain such a proposition for a moment ?" 
 
 The Harvard boys who had arranged for Ever- 
 ett's overthrow were at first dumbfounded. They 
 could not believe Dempsey had done his best, yet 
 they had to confess that McDonald handled himself 
 remarkably well. Finally one of the fellows named 
 Bob for short decided to see Dempsey. As he 
 was ushered into the presence of Dempsey he felt a 
 little uneasy, and yet he proceeded at once with his 
 inquiry. 
 
 Dempsey said: "Never get another professional 
 to face that fellow. He is the hardest proposition I 
 ever faced. I did my best to put him out, but the 
 fact of the matter is he got the best of me. I am 
 satisfied, and so is my backer, that he could have put 
 me out several different times if he had desired to 
 do so. My manager has offered him a big purse to 
 
 143
 
 144 A CLOUDLESS MORNING. 
 
 fight for the championship of the world, but he 
 refuses to enter the ring. He is preaching in a 
 Baptist mission station, and I tell you he's a comer. 
 If he knows how to handle men physically he also 
 knows how to handle them spiritually. He invited 
 me to the chapel and I went for the fun of the thing, 
 and, sir, before I left he had me on my knees — the 
 first time I went there of my own accord since 
 mother's death. I had a thousand objections, but he 
 smothered every one of them. Then when he spoke 
 of mothers' prayers for their boys and how some 
 were looking over the battlements of heaven with 
 anxious faces, he struck me over the heart and 
 brought me to my knees. And Bible ! that fellow 
 knows the rules, I tell you." 
 
 "Are you going to preach ?" said Bob, with a 
 smile. 
 
 "O, no; I don't intend to preach, but I'm going 
 to quit the ring just the same. My contract runs 
 out after ten more exhibition nights, and then I'm 
 done with the ring. I get $250.00 a night for exhi- 
 bitions, and that isn't so much, but it's a great deal 
 when you are going to stop for $5.00 per day. I'm 
 to have a place as instructor in a Y. M. C. A. gym- 
 nasium. 'Tisn't much money, but it's like your 
 divinity student says, I'll have more money in the 
 long run." 
 
 "Well," said Bob, "I don't see why you have to 
 quit the exhibition business to be a Christian." 
 
 "How can I pray, 'lead me not into temptation' 
 and then go hunting temptation? My manager 
 says I'm foolish, but I'm not in my new role for 
 compliments and bouquets. I don't Cc.re what other 
 people say. Are you a Christian ?"
 
 THE CHRISTIAN ATHLETH. 145 
 
 This question brought a negative answer from 
 Bob and a hasty retreat. He hadn't come to be 
 interviewed on the question of religion. He simply 
 wanted to know if Dempsey had done his best that 
 night in the gymnasium. He went back to the boys 
 with the news — all except Dempsey's conversion. 
 Dempsey had done his best. Dempsey's manager 
 had offered McDonald a large sum to fight for the 
 championship of the world and McDonald had 
 refused. The boys overwhelmed McDonald with 
 congratulations. He was courted and dined and 
 lionized after student fashion. Bob was especially 
 enthusiastic over Everett. The more he saw him 
 the better he liked him. He invited Everett up to 
 his rooms and asked him to room with him. 
 
 "I can't do that, Bob. I have a very small in- 
 come." 
 
 "Never mind about the money. I have plenty, 
 and besides the rent is all paid in advance." 
 
 "Would you object to my reading the Bible and 
 praying every night ?" 
 
 "Certainly not. I'm not a Christian myself, but 
 I don't object to other people being Christians if 
 they wish. I expect to be one myself some day, but 
 not now. You will come, won't you?" 
 
 Everett decided he would. His room in the city 
 was not a very comfortable one, and since he had 
 quit work on the dock he could room in Cambridge 
 very conveniently. Besides, here was an opportunity 
 to do good. 
 
 He moved in and found Bob a very fine fellow. 
 Everett and Bob soon became real chums. They 
 wrestled together, boxed together, rowed together, 
 and even on Sunday Bob went with Everett to the 
 Mission.
 
 146 A CLOUDLESS MORNING. 
 
 The subject of religion was not mentioned except 
 at night, and then only to read the Bible and pray- 
 When Everett reached for his Bible Bob always 
 laid aside his work and knelt when Everett knelt. 
 Bob was thoroughly impressed with Everett's fear- 
 less and manly religion. Bob was also deeply 
 impressed with the fact that he had never heard 
 Everett apologize for his religion. 
 
 He began to say to himself: "If I could have 
 that kind of religion I would be happy." 
 
 One night Everett read about Nicodemus. Then 
 he explained so clearly to Bob's mind the way to be 
 saved. As they knelt together Everett prayed 
 earnestly for all those who had not given their hearts 
 to Christ. 
 
 When Everett arose Bob remained upon his 
 knees. Everett knelt by his chum and again ex- 
 plained the way and again prayed. 
 
 As Bob arose he said : "McDonald, my dear fel- 
 low, it's all clear. Give me your hand. I'm going 
 to write to the old folks at home. They have been 
 praying for me for years. And the old minister, too. 
 I must write to him." Bob not only told his experi- 
 ence to the old folks and the old minister, but also 
 to his classmates and the people at the mission. 
 
 Everett's w ? ork at the Mission grew constantly in 
 importance. The little room would no longer 
 accommodate the people who came to worship. 
 Everett placed the matter before the missionary 
 society. They had observed the prosperous condi- 
 tion of the Mission but had no funds to build a new 
 chapel. 
 
 "When does the Baptist State Association meet?" 
 asked Everett of the Secretary of the Baptist Mis- 
 sionary Society.
 
 THE CHRISTIAN ATHLKTK. 147 
 
 "Next month — the tenth, in Tremont Temple," 
 said the Secretary. 
 
 "I wonder if I could have about fifteen minutes 
 to present the work and need of city missions?" 
 
 "Try. It would be a capital idea and I'll help to 
 get you a chance." 
 
 The Program Committee was found, and after 
 much pleading Everett McDonald was assigned a 
 place on the program. He was to have the last 
 fifteen minutes before adjourning for dinner — the 
 most undesirable place on the program, as the peo- 
 ple would be restless and uneasy about that time. 
 Still Everett felt elated over having any place 
 assigned him. Since his ordination Everett had 
 never spoken before his brethren. He felt uneasy 
 about speaking before the State Association, but 
 the need of the mission must be presented. 
 
 He told Bob of his fears and tremblings. Bob 
 said: "Brace up. Don't worry. Tell them about 
 the needs of the Mission, not about yourself. I'll 
 sit in the audience and pray for you." 
 
 The tenth of the month arrived and the State 
 Association assembled in the Temple. Everett was 
 so nervous and restless he could not sit still. Bob 
 kept saying,. "Keep your nerve, old fellow. You'll 
 come out all right." 
 
 Several of the speakers had used a few minutes 
 more than their allotted time, and they were run- 
 ning a full half-hour behind the schedule on the 
 program. 
 
 "You don't suppose they will shut me out of my 
 fifteen minutes, do you Bob?" 
 
 "No ! Of course they won't. You'll get a hear- 
 ing."
 
 J48 A CLOUDLESS MORNING. 
 
 Just then the last speaker concluded a rather tire- 
 some but scholarly address on "Foreign Missions." 
 
 The audience moved uneasily, and a few left the 
 room. "Ladies and gentlemen," said the chairman, 
 "please remain seated, for a few minutes. There is 
 one speaker yet to be heard. As we have run con- 
 siderably over our time, I will ask the Rev. Mr. 
 McDonald to use five instead of fifteen minutes in 
 presenting the "Need of City Missions." 
 
 Everett rose, pale and trembling. He bowed to 
 the chairman and then turned his eyes to the sea of 
 faces before him. He was frightened for a second, 
 and then he saw Bob's face, and the small "mission 
 station" rose before him. 
 
 "Ladies and gentlemen," he said, "if I were to 
 present the needs of Tremont Temple I would not 
 need even five minutes — this grand Temple is hal- 
 lowed by holy memories that crowd in upon us and 
 our tongues remain silent while our hearts speak." 
 
 As his clear, earnest voice rang out, the great 
 audience grew strangely quiet and a few on the 
 way out returned to their seats. 
 
 "But," he continued, "I am to speak neither of 
 Tremont Temple nor of the multitudes who worship 
 here. I speak to you of an unknown 'Mission Sta- 
 tion' where the common man has not a place to bow 
 his knee before the God who can help him in his 
 struggle. The little place is too small to accommo- 
 date the poor people who are hungering and thirst- 
 ing for righteousness. The Missionary Society 
 heartily approves the mission and agrees that the 
 mission holds a strategic position, yet they are 
 unable to provide a larger building.
 
 TH1C CHRISTIAN ATHLKTK. T49 
 
 "The little Mission is as obscure and almost as 
 objectionable as the manger at Bethlehem, yet like 
 that manger sacred memories cluster about it and 
 for it the angels have often tuned their harps. We 
 have not the stately columns nor ivory halls nor 
 golden candelabra, but God's almighty power has 
 there enabled the prodigal to leave his husks, the 
 beggar his rags and the harlot her sins. I plead for 
 enough money here and now, so that the poor of our 
 city will not have to be shut out from God's pres- 
 ence and worship. Let us pray for such a collec- 
 tion," and Everett lifted his voice and arms to the 
 most High God for help. If he had riveted the 
 attention of every one by his impassioned speech, 
 he now won them by his powerful and prevailing 
 prayer. 
 
 At the conclusion of the prayer the pastor of 
 Tremont Temple took his hat and started for the 
 collection. A half-dozen other ministers followed 
 his example. Some of the collectors were compelled 
 t'o crowd down the bills to keep them from falling 
 out of their hats. 
 
 As the men came back with enough to build and 
 equip an ideal mission station, Everett stood up to 
 thank the people, but he could not. His tears fell 
 upon the offering and consecrated it as he lifted his 
 face and said, "Thank God." The inspired audience 
 arose and sang, "Praise God from whom all bless- 
 ings flow." 
 
 It seemed almost like a dream when all the money 
 was handed over to him. "It is all yours to build a 
 house of God," said the chairman. 
 
 Everett turned to the Secretary of the Home Mis- 
 sionary Society and said : "I will make you my
 
 150 A CLOUDLESS MORNING. 
 
 banker and will call on you for such amounts as 
 we need from time to time." He was kept busy for 
 over a half-hour shaking- hands with those who 
 pressed forward to wish him Godspeed in his work. 
 
 He suddenly wondered where Bob was. He 
 looked around, but didn't see him. He put on his 
 hat and hurried out. As he was about to go out the 
 side entrance he ran into Bob, who stood there wip- 
 ing his eyes. "I'm no Methodist," said Bob, "but if 
 I hadn't got out of there I guess they would have 
 thought a whole camp meeting had broken loose. 
 Say, can you lend me enough to get back to Cam- 
 bridge? I had over a hundred dollars before you 
 made that speech." 
 
 Everett and Bob lunched together and then Ever- 
 ett loaned him some money. As Bob took the 
 money he Said : "If I am as successful before juries 
 as you were before that audience, I guess I'll be 
 more than satisfied." 
 
 Everett purchased an ideal spot that afternoon 
 for his mission house, and engaged an architect. As 
 he had his mind pretty well made up what kind of a 
 building he wanted, the architect's work was simpli- 
 fied and soon done. 
 
 The building seemed to rise almost by magic, 
 and Everett was one of the happiest of men. 
 
 One evening a committee from one of the strong- 
 est Baptist churches in the state called on Everett 
 in his new place of worship and the chairman said : 
 "Mr. McDonald, our church is without a pastor, 
 and after hearing yon at our state convention and 
 here in your mission a few times, we decided last 
 night to extend to you a unanimous call to be our 
 pastor at a salary of $3500.00 and a furnished par-
 
 THE CHRISTIAN ATHLETE. I5 1 
 
 sonage. We will give you full charge, and if you 
 want to do mission work our place is sadly in need 
 ot that." 
 
 "Well, Mr. Chairman and brethren, I hardly 
 know what to say. I never aspired to anything like 
 that. I know something of your field of work and 
 it is an inviting one, but I cannot give you an an- 
 swer now." 
 
 "You will consider the matter, then, will you?" 
 said one of the committee. 
 
 "Yes, if you will give me one month." 
 
 "Certainly," said the chairman, and the committee 
 went away^ happy. 
 
 Everett was talking over the matter with Bob 
 when a telegram came from Cleveland. Everett 
 turned pale and his- hands trembled so he could 
 hardly open the message. What could have hap- 
 pened at home to cause them to send a message? 
 He opened the message and read : 
 
 "Dear Everett: — My honor has been thoroughly vindi- 
 cated. Come home at once. 
 
 "Alexander McDonald." 
 
 Everett acted like an Indian gone mad. He 
 turned a double handspring with a yell, and the 
 messenger boy, in his anxiety to get away, missed 
 a step and tumbled head over heels down the stairs. 
 He hugged Bob until Bob was purple in the face. 
 He threw pillows, turned- somersaults and hand- 
 springs until he was almost exhausted. Finally 
 Bob called from behind the closet door: "Smash 
 everything but my sweetheart's picture, and keep 
 out of here." 
 
 "Come out, Bob ; I'll be good." 
 
 After considerable work they had the room in
 
 152 A CLOUDLESS MORNING. 
 
 fairly good order, but Everett was so happy he did 
 not get to sleep until long after midnight. 
 
 The next day, after Everett had arranged affairs 
 for a few days' absence from school and the mission, 
 he boarded the train and waved adieu to Bob, who 
 stood calling, "Be sure and come back." 
 
 Both father and son were deeply moved as they 
 greeted each other at the depot. Everett heard the 
 wonderful story of the forgery and dramatic ending 
 of Mr. Oscar Tupper as they walked arm in arm to 
 tne little cottage. Then his surprise was complete 
 when his mother told him of the fortune that had 
 come to them that week from her brother in Scot- 
 land. 
 
 Of course Liza knew all the time that they were 
 going back to the mansion. "I am not so sure," 
 said Mrs. McDonald, "that I want to go back to the 
 mansion, as Liza calls it. A cottage just a little 
 more convenient than this one will suit me." 
 
 "Nor I," said Mr. McDonald, "although the man 
 who purchased our old home offered to sell it to 
 me at a reasonable sum. We've talked the matter 
 over considerable of late and decided to arrange our 
 plans to suit you, Everett. 
 
 "Well," said Everett, "I'm sure I have no desire 
 to go back on Euclid Avenue, although it is a beau- 
 tiful place. I have decided to give all my time to 
 the ministry as soon as I pass my final examinations 
 in theological work. But I' guess you had better 
 plan independent of me, for I doubt if the class of 
 work I want to do in the ministry would suit you." 
 
 "Just what kind of work will you do? You will 
 go into the Presbyterian Church, won't you?" eag- 
 erly asked Mrs. McDonald.
 
 THE CHRISTIAN ATHLETE. 153 
 
 "Well, Mother, you ask me two pretty big ques- 
 tions at once. My work at the University town with 
 the poor, and then my work at the Baptist Mission 
 in Boston, makes clear to me that I am called to 
 work among the poor and the neglected." 
 
 "We can't object to that," said Mr. McDonald, 
 "for I'm sure we know how to sympathize with 
 those who are poor and in trouble and forsaken. 
 If Dr. Carter hadn't stood by us I do not know 
 what would have become of us. But, by the way, a 
 man in such a place as Dr. Carter can do a tremen- 
 dous amount of good." 
 
 "Yes, I know, father, but if you were in a com- 
 munity where there was not simply one, but a thou- 
 sand families needing sympathetic help, you could 
 do more good, couldn't you?" 
 
 "O, don't understand me to be objecting to your 
 desires. No, indeed, if you feel called to that kind 
 of work, I'll never object." 
 
 "But you'll be a Presbyterian, won't you, Ever- 
 ett?" asked Mrs. McDonald. 
 
 "Mother, you make me. laugh about your old 
 Scotch Presbyterianism. You know I have been 
 working in a Baptist Mission in Boston and that I 
 have been ordained by the Baptist denomination." 
 
 "Praise de Lord," said Liza, "you'se a Baptist. 
 I likes de Presbyterians but I'm by nature a Bap- 
 tist." 
 
 "And not only have I been ordained by the Bap- 
 tists, but I received a call just before I left Boston 
 to a Baptist church paying $3500.00 salary and a 
 furnished parsonage." 
 
 "Of what church is Miss Day, of whom you have 
 written so much, a member? Is she a Baptist, too?" 
 asked the mother.
 
 154 A CLOUDLESS MORNING. 
 
 "No; her folks are Episcopalians. She was con- 
 firmed in that church several years ago. I do not 
 know what her parents think about mission work. 
 I imagine Captain Day will bitterly oppose such a 
 move." 
 
 "What does Miss Day say for herself?" said Mr. 
 McDonald. 
 
 "Well, when we were engaged I explained fully 
 to her my desires. She agreed that she could be 
 happy in such work. We did not talk about de- 
 nominations ; we talked about the Lord's work." 
 
 "Suppose we drop the subject tonight and talk 
 the matter over with Dr. Carter tomorrow," said 
 Mr. McDonald. 
 
 The next day Mr. McDonald and Everett called 
 on Dr. Carter. The old minister was overjoyed to 
 see Everett. "Your father has told me of some of 
 the noble work you have been doing. I'm so glad 
 you have been a true Christian. What are you 
 going to do now ?" 
 
 "That is our mission here this morning, to dis- 
 cuss my future. Of course I am going to preach 
 and I have also decided to work with the poor." 
 
 "Well, that is a capital resolution and I hope you 
 will never change your plan. Some will have to 
 preach to the well-to-do, but we never lack for 
 preachers there. My heart aches when I think of 
 the thousands of poor people in this city who never 
 go near a house of worship. I'm too old now to 
 begin such a work, but I've been praying that God 
 would raise up some strong man, some Moses to 
 lead our enslaved poor from the houses of bond- 
 age." 
 
 "I have often thought of the poor people in
 
 THE CHRISTIAN ATHLETE. 155 
 
 Cleveland, but there isn't a church in Cleveland 
 to my liking. A Baptist church near Boston has 
 extended me a call and the field is the most desira- 
 ble I have seen yet and still that field does not 
 exactly suit me." 
 
 "You're a Presbyterian, aren't you? By the 
 way, I have a request from a magnificent Presby- 
 terian church in New York to name a successor to 
 the minister who has just resigned. If you want a 
 eood church that is a far better one than the one 
 you describe and I'll gladly recommend you." 
 
 "O no, Dr. Carter, I thank you; but I don't 
 want that kind of a church. Besides, I'm not 
 sure I am a Presbyterian. I have'nt gone back on 
 the old Westminster Confession, but I have a few 
 things in addition." 
 
 "Well, what is your position?" said Dr. Carter, 
 "I'm always glad for new ideas." 
 
 "To state my position and belief I will have to 
 describe what kind of a church I want to preach in. 
 I want a church to begin with that will have ar- 
 rangements for seating comfortably all who wish to 
 come. That can be done. Then I want a good 
 library, a first-class gymnasium and a well-equiped 
 hospital in connection with the church. I don't 
 mean separate buildings. I mean all under the 
 same roof. I also want enough room for a home 
 for little wanderers." 
 
 "To be sure, there is no such church here to my 
 knowledge and very few in existence. What de- 
 nomination would you have such a church fellow- 
 ship with." 
 
 "I believe in the old Confession of Faith, some- 
 what revised. I also believe in immersion if the
 
 156 A CLOUDLESS MORNING. 
 
 people want to be immersed. And I want the 
 Methodist altar." 
 
 "You could do that and still be a Presbyterian." 
 
 "Well, to be frank, I want to throw the doors 
 open without a creed or confession. All I want is 
 that the people coming in shall believe in the Lord 
 Jesus Christ and confess him publicly as their 
 Savior. I will be frank, I think this can be best 
 done as an 'Independent church.' " 
 
 Dr. Carter smiled and said : "I guess the 'In- 
 dependent church' is where you belong. That's a 
 little too free for me." 
 
 "I have great respect for creeds and confessions 
 of faith, but I don't want perishing souls kept out 
 of my church if they believe in the Lord Jesus Christ 
 as their Savior and are willing to confess Him be- 
 fore men. I want a life-saving station, where we 
 do not ask whether a struggling seaman is a Pres- 
 byterian or Baptist or Methodist or Episcopalian — 
 I want to be able to throw out the life line, as 
 Jesus did." 
 
 Dr Carter smiled again and said: "Well, Everett 
 we don't disagree as much as you think. You are 
 cut out for a good evangelist and I say Godspeed to 
 you in your effort to save men. I don't believe Pres- 
 byterians are the only Christians that are going to 
 heaven, but in all my years I have learned that God 
 does not despise a good Presbyterian. I exchanged 
 with a Methodist a few Sundays ago and as I spoke 
 of the pathway growing brighter as the years went 
 by one man on the front seat said 'Amen !' I 
 looked down at the old man, and as I saw the tears 
 trickling down his happy face I said to myself 
 'Thank God for the tie that binds our hearts in 
 Christian love.' "
 
 the christian athlete. 157 
 
 As father and son arose to go the faithful old 
 prophet of God placed his hand on Everett's shoulder 
 and said : "God bless you, Everett. I hope the 
 Lord will open the way here in Cleveland. We need 
 you here." 
 
 As they walked back home Mr. McDonald said, 
 "Everett, what would such a church as you speak 
 of cost?" 
 
 "I don't know exactly, father, but I'll figure on 
 it. It would cost at least $350,000.00. Of course, 
 to conduct such a church successfully there would 
 have to be an endowment." 
 
 Very little was said about the interview that even- 
 ing. Mr. McDonald said that they had had a very 
 pleasant and profitable time together. Everett said 
 that he would decide later. He went to bed early 
 that night as he was to return to Boston the next 
 day to take his final examinations in theology. 
 
 Mr. and Mrs. McDonald sat up late, very late. 
 They were discussing Everett's plans and trying to 
 arrive at a conclusion. Finally the mother said, 
 "I'm sure, we cannot put our money to any bet- 
 ter use. I haven't any doubt about Everett's being 
 able to take charge of the work. He is surely 
 capable of handling such an enterprise. We need 
 not hesitate about the denomination if membership 
 is conditioned on believing in and confessing pub- 
 licly our L,ord Jesus Christ." 
 
 "I think you are right, mother. As Dr. Carter 
 says, we need just such a church for the poor of 
 this city." 
 
 The next morning after breakfast and prayers, 
 Everett was treated to a genuine surprise. 
 
 "Everett," said Mr. McDonald, "your mother
 
 I5S A CLOUDLESS MORNING. 
 
 and I have decided to furnish the money to build 
 such a church as you desire, here in Cleveland. 
 We will work with you for the succcess of the 
 Master." 
 
 Everett's tongue lost its cunning and his eyes 
 overflowed with tears. 
 
 "Yes," said the mother, "we will rejoice in thy 
 salvation, and in the name of our God we will 
 set up our banners and may the Lord fulfill all thy 
 petitions."
 
 CHAPTER XL 
 
 THE LOVE-WROUGHT MASTERPIECE. 
 
 "The length and breadth and the height are equal." 
 
 Everett's mind was all in a whirl as he boarded 
 the train for Boston. Joy and sadness strangely 
 mingled as he thought of leaving the mission in 
 Boston for the new field in Cleveland. He won- 
 dered how he would be able to tell the workers 
 at the Mission of his decision to leave. Then, too, 
 there was the Baptist church that had extended him 
 a call and was expecting a decision on his return. 
 Would the committee continue to feel friendly when 
 he declined their invitation? Would the Days be 
 pleased ? Where would he get enough money to en- 
 dow the church ? He pondered over such questions 
 all the way to Boston. 
 
 Bob was delighted when Everett walked into 
 the room. "Hello, McDonald ! My, but it has been 
 lonesome since you left. You had a good time, I 
 know. Did Cleveland look natural?" 
 
 "Yes, Bob, I had a splendid time, but was so 
 very busy that I did not have time to look at 
 old landmarks." 
 
 "Busy! Holding Evangelistic meetings [ sup- 
 pose. Why didn't you rest?" 
 
 x 59
 
 l6o THE LOVE-WROUGHT MASTERPIECE. 
 
 "You will be surprised when I tell you what I've 
 decided to do." 
 
 "I'll venture that you are going to Cleveland 
 to live." 
 
 "Going back to work, Bob. My father and 
 mother have decided to build a church according 
 to my own ideas and I believe it is my duty to go." 
 After Everett had explained fully what was to be 
 done, Bob said : "I suppose it is for the best, but 
 I had hoped you would remain a little longer in old 
 Boston." 
 
 "Well, Bob, you will be leaving here in another 
 year. I wish you would locate in Cleveland when 
 you are through with your law course. You haven't 
 decided yet where you will open an office, have 
 you?" 
 
 "No, I haven't. It would be a capital idea to open 
 an office in your city. Ohio is a great state. Do 
 you think my chances for the Presidency of the 
 United States will be increased if I go to Ohio?" 
 
 "If you will locate there I will do all I can to 
 get other people to see you as I do and then I'm 
 sure you will be made President." 
 
 "How about your examinations?" said Bob, 
 changing the conversation. I'm almost swamped 
 with work. I'll be glad when I am through." 
 
 "I'm not sure that I am ready for mine either. 
 Besides the regular tests I am to pass examina- 
 tions on some extra work. If I am successful I'll 
 be able to get my degree by doing the balance of 
 the work in absentia." 
 
 After examinations were over Bob said : "Well, 
 my exams were easy. I answered all the questions 
 satisfactorily — i. e. to myself at least."
 
 THE CHRISTIAN ATHLETK. l6l 
 
 "My tests were not so easy but I am well satis- 
 fied with the result." 
 
 With the work at the Divinity School over Everett 
 set about arranging affairs so that he could leave 
 Boston. 
 
 The committee from the Baptist church came to 
 the Mission station one evening at Everett's re- 
 quest to receive his decision. As Everett related to 
 them his history and then explained to them fully 
 the opening in Cleveland, the committee saw plainly 
 enough that they could not expect him to accept 
 their call. They themselves said that the opening 
 in his native city was far better than anything they 
 could offer him. As they were about to leave, the 
 chairman said: "Mr. McDonald, can't you come 
 out and preach for us next Sunday ? We want our 
 people to hear you once. No pressure will be used 
 to have you accept our call. We will have it thor- 
 oughly understood that you have refused our invi- 
 tation to the pastorate and we agree that your 
 decision is the wise one." 
 
 After some hesitation Everett said, "I will preach 
 for you next Sunday morning, but I want to preach 
 here at the mission in the evening." 
 
 "Very well, that will suit us. We will get a min.- 
 ister to supply your pulpit in the morning and the 
 same man can preach for us in the evening." 
 
 Everett preached in the Baptist church the next 
 Sunday morning. He also gave a half hour talk 
 in the Sabbath school. The people received him so 
 enthusiastically that he said to Bob as they went 
 back to the city, "That's a fine opportunity. It 
 makes me feel badly not to accept their call." 
 
 "You can't preach everywhere at the same time/'
 
 162 THE LOVE-WROUGHT MASTERPIECE. 
 
 said Bob. "What is the use of feeling sad; you 
 didn't ask them to consider your name. They made 
 all the advances. Then, too, didn't they say you 
 were wise in your decision." 
 
 "That's so," said Everett, more cheerfully. Then 
 he thought of the Mission and how hard it would 
 be to leave the work. 
 
 "I don't blame you for feeling sad at the thought 
 of leaving the Mission. It's just as the Missionary 
 Secretary says, they will not find another McDon- 
 ald soon. But even the secretary don't blame you 
 for going to Cleveland. He said you were just 
 fitted for such a field and looked upon the opening 
 as a providential one. You have a great chance 
 there, old fellow." 
 
 "Bob, I'm afraid I can't preach tonight. Just 
 think, my last sermon in the Mission. It almost 
 breaks my heart to think of it." 
 
 "You must brace up and preach your best. You 
 don't want your last effort to be a failure. Be- 
 sides, you have selected your own successor and 
 you know he is a good man." 
 
 Despite Bob's exhortation to "brace up" Everett 
 broke down two or three times as he was preaching 
 the last sermon. At the conclusion of the sermon 
 he introduced his successor to the audience and 
 concluded the service with one of his powerful 
 prayers for God's blessing upon "the man and the 
 Mission." 
 
 As Everett packed his trunk to leave, Bob didn't 
 say anything about "bracing up." In fact, he was 
 not saying anything at all. He was kept busy swal- 
 lowing and trying to keep down the tears. When 
 he and Everett knelt together for the last time in
 
 THE CHRISTIAN ATHI V HTR. ■ 163 
 
 their room Bob broke clown completely. Everett 
 prayed a few audible sentences, but was so over- 
 come with his emotions that the remainder of the 
 prayer was inaudible. Bob's lips did not move, but 
 he, too, was sending up an unselfish petition. 
 
 Everett had many misgivings as he left old Bos- 
 ton, vet he was delighted to think that he was go- 
 ing back to his native city to work in a field with 
 such wonderful opportunities for doing good. 
 
 The Cleveland papers published some news that 
 week in regard to Mr. Alexander McDonald, the 
 Presbyterian Elder, that caused almost as great a 
 sensation as the news of his failure, as great as the 
 dramatic ending of Mr. Oscar Tupper. Elder Mc- 
 Donald had declined a unanimous election to his old 
 position as bank president. He gave as his reason 
 that he had decided to use his time and money in 
 building an "Institutional Church" for the poor peo- 
 ple of the city. His son Everett, who had been 
 studying in Boston, was to have charge of the 
 church. It was to be thoroughly evangelical, but 
 would not be identified with one denomination more 
 than another. 
 
 The newspapers welcomed such a worthy enter- 
 prise and the various ministerial meetings passed 
 commendatory resolutions, pledging their heartiest 
 support. 
 
 A large lot in the most desirable location in 
 the city for such a building was purchased. A 
 deluge of letters came from architects anxious to 
 draw the plans for the building. Everett selected 
 the most excellent architect that had drawn the plans 
 for the Mission Station in Boston. The task this 
 time, however, was a far more difficult one. After
 
 164 THE LOVE-WROUGHT MASTERPIECE. 
 
 many days and nights of the most arduous labor 
 the plan was nearly complete. As Elder McDon- 
 ald was studying the drawings one evening, he 
 said : "Well, Everett, I am thoroughly satisfied 
 now ; what is your opinion ?" 
 
 "I am about satisfied, but there is one thing 
 lacking." 
 
 "What's that?" asked Mrs. McDonald, deeply 
 interested. 
 
 Everett colored slightly as he said : "I want to 
 discuss the plan with Helen before we make the 
 final decision." 
 
 "Well, Everett, you will have to travel to the Pa- 
 cific coast to consult with her. Still if you think 
 best we can wait." 
 
 "No, father. I have just received a letter from 
 Helen, stating that she, with her father and mother, 
 will arrive in Columbus next week." 
 
 "By all means then talk the matter over with 
 her," said the mother. 
 
 The few days that had to pass before Everett 
 could meet Helen dragged unusually slow. At last 
 the day dawned and Everett was up bright and early 
 ready to go to the Capital city. 
 
 As Liza watched "her boy" brushing his new 
 suit of clothes she said, "I don't blame you for 
 bein' so pow'ful particular. D'y' 'spose you honey 
 '11 be glad to see you?" Everett patted her on the 
 back and said, "Liza, I've had a 'sure 'nufF vision 
 and she'll be glad." 
 
 All aglow with enthusiasm Everett hurried to the 
 depot with his plans and was soon speeding on 
 one of his happiest journeys. At the depot in 
 Columbus he was surprised to see the beaming face 
 of Rufus.
 
 THE CHRISTIAN ATHLETE- 165 
 
 "Well, well, Rufus! How do you do? I am 
 glad to see you." 
 
 "Mista Everett, sure miff! I'se powful glad to 
 see you. You see, afta I left you I done had a 
 telegram. I was plumb scared to pieces when dat 
 message comes for I was 'fraid Miss Helen was 
 tellin' me dat she's dead. Well, would you believe 
 it, de cap'n was askin' me to stay hear and git de 
 old place ready for a home comin'. He said dey'd 
 all be home soon, an' dey'l be hear inside a few 
 minutes. Glory, I kin hardly wait 'till dey heave 
 in. The ole Cap'n has done change his mind, kaze 
 
 Miss Helen says he's got a big likin' fer " 
 
 But before Rufus could finish the sentence the great 
 train came swinging into the depot with its precious 
 burden. Rufus made for the baggage car for he 
 knew Prince would be there. The loud barking of 
 the dog told the happy quartet outside that Prince 
 was speaking to an old friend. 
 
 Rufus had the old home all aglow with life and 
 welcome. 
 
 "Rufus,' said Capt. Day, "you have done well. 
 Everything looks natural. You haven't lost your 
 cunning." 
 
 "No," said Mrs. Day, "he hasn't lost his cunning. 
 Rufus, we never can repay our debt of gratitude 
 to you." 
 
 " 'Taint me youse need to thank. 'Taint me as 
 what's done this. De good Lord, he's the gemin 
 to remember," said the old servant, as he turned 
 and hurried from the room to conceal his tears. 
 
 After a delightful hour over the tea cups Capt. 
 and Mrs. Day, Helen and Everett gathered around 
 the study table in the east room to inspect the
 
 1 66 THE LOVE-WROUGHT MASTERPIECE. 
 
 plan for the new church. All were delighted with 
 the general outline of the building. Then, as de- 
 tail after detail was explained, "delight deepened 
 into a veritable ecstacy." 
 
 "Perfect! Perfect!" said Capt. Day. "What 
 pleases me most is the admirable way you have 
 arranged for Helen's work." 
 
 "I do not see," said the mother, "that the plan 
 lacks one thing." 
 
 "Well, it does lack just one thing," said Everett ; 
 "Father and Mother will furnish as much as is 
 necessary for the building, but we need an endow- 
 ment. The people we are to work with have small 
 incomes, some are even beggars, and they cannot 
 contribute enough money to minister as will be nec- 
 essary. We have been hoping and praying that 
 some one will endow the work. Then the whole 
 enterprise will be reasonably sure of success." 
 
 "I wouldn't worry about that," said Capt. Day, 
 as he nudged Mrs. Day with his knee. 
 
 "No," said Mrs. Day, "that will come when it is 
 needed." 
 
 "I wish I could have those little tots in San 
 Francisco housed in such a building. They loved 
 me so much," said Helen. 
 
 "Well, Helen," said the mother, "I shouldn't 
 grieve over their situation. They will be well cared 
 for by those loyal ladies of the Salvation Army." 
 
 "Besides, Helen," said Capt. Day, "the opportun- 
 ity you will have in this new church will be far 
 superior to your opportunity in San Francisco." 
 
 "Of course," said Helen, as she gave a sly 
 glance at Everett's flushed and happy face, "I'm 
 satisfied."
 
 THE CHRISTIAN ATHLRTK. 1 67 
 
 "Satisfied!" came from every heart. Not only 
 were the Days, the McDonalds and a host of others 
 satisfied, but God himself was satisfied when, a 
 few days later, Capt. and Mrs. Day, Mr. and Mrs. 
 McDonald, Dr. and Mrs. Habsdorf, Dr. and Mrs. 
 Carter and a large number of the evangelical min- 
 isters of Cleveland gathered at the spot where a 
 bridegroom without ornaments and a bride without 
 jewels were to break the ground for the erection of 
 the temple of God. 
 
 Helen had the honor of turning the first shovel- 
 ful of dirt, then Everett, then all used the shovel 
 except Liza. When the faithful servant's turn came 
 she said, "No, indeed, I'm not goin' to begin that 
 kind of work now." 
 
 "Here, Rufus," said Helen, "suppose you turn 
 Liza's share." Rufus did as requested and received 
 a generous amount of applause and laughter. 
 
 The contractor, after promising to push the work 
 with all possible speed, ordered over a hundred wait- 
 ing workmen to begin their labors and the work 
 began in earnest. 
 
 None were more interested in the building of 
 "Union Temple," as the new church was to be called, 
 than Liza and Rufus. At first they disputed a 
 great deal as to which was "the bestust" — "Mista 
 Everett or Missus Helen." But by and by dis- 
 putes ceased and they became deeply interested in 
 each other. One day, in a confidential mood, Rufus 
 told Liza his history. "Yes, Liza, Ise been.thinkin' 
 of what's youse tole me and guess youse 'bout right. 
 I'll tells you. One time I makes up my mind to 
 go down to Alabama wha I was raised. One day 
 on de boat while I was peelin' potatoes a voice
 
 l68 THE LOVE-WROUGHT MASTERPIECE. 
 
 kinda comes to me dat says, 'Rufus, you ought 
 to settle down, git married and git 'ligun.' Well, 
 after I got to de ole place I got a job. Den I got 
 to lookin' round, see, to find de right kin' of a gul. 
 Well, sah, I couldn't fin' no one to suit me no wha. 
 Finally one of de boys wants me to meet a gul. 
 When I meets her I likes her and fo long I tells 
 her dat she's my kind. I tells hur dat I has a good 
 job and ready to wuk for hur. Well, we got mar- 
 ried, see. She'd bin tryin' to git ligun for mo'n 
 a week. One night I comes home and she meets 
 me at de do and says, 'Rufus, I wants you to promise 
 me to pray every day.' I says I will. Now, she 
 say, 'Rufus, don' you promise less'n you mean it.' 
 I means it, I says. Well, in about a week she gits 
 ligun, an' she seemed so happy she'd shout, I tells 
 you. After awhile well, we had a nice little home 
 and I furnished it up nice as you please. But by 
 and by I notice she's changed. She don't act right 
 and while I couldn't splain it, every night I comes 
 home and looks at hur I feels a pain in my heart. 
 Finally I knows she goes out wid anoder man at 
 de church. When I talks wid hur she yells loud and 
 I can't do nuthin'. You know how 'tis if two peo- 
 ple gits into trouble and one b'longs to church, de 
 church people alius stands by de church member. 
 Well, I works hard, too hard, and gits de rheuma- 
 tism in my right arm and leg. I has to go to de 
 hospital. When I comes back to de little home 
 everybody tells me my wife wa'nt doin' right. Now, 
 when eight or ten people tells you sompin' youse 
 boun' to believe it, ain't you ? Well, I couldn't work, 
 and my heart was akin, I tells you. I wants hur 
 to help me cause I'd run out o' money. No, sah,
 
 THE CHRISTIAN ATHLETE. 1 69 
 
 she wouldn't help me. I had to git some money 
 from my frien's, or I'd starved. Well, things keep 
 gitin' wuse. When I tries to talk wid hur in a quiet 
 way she yells so loud everybody hears hur. I can't 
 reason wid hur. I goes back to work, but I can't 
 live wid hur. She wants me to git a divorce, but 
 no sah, I can't. No, sah, I likes hur and Ise ready 
 to do anything for hur. Well, on a Saturday I goes 
 to de little home I fixed up. De snow was piled 
 up everywhar. I goes into de house and sees hur 
 lookin' kin' a pitiful like, and I knows she needs 
 coal. I says, 'Do you need anything?' 'No, sah,' 
 she says, 'I don't need nuffin'.' 'Well,' I says, 'I 
 send you coal.' So I sends her coal and food. But 
 she won't treat me right nohow. 
 
 "Finally she gits sick and I spend 'bout $60.00 
 on hur and den I thought sure nuff she'll be all 
 right, but, no sah. Well, one evenin' an officer of 
 de law comes wid some papers dat says my wife 
 sues me for a divorce. I goes to de jedge and 
 talks wid him. De jedge says, 'she charges you wid 
 clrinkin' to excess and she's 'fraid to live wid youse.' 
 You see, she done tole a lie. Well, I felt mighty 
 bad, but I wanted to please hur, so I didn't pear 
 'gainst hur and she gits a divorce. Den she goes and 
 marries de man she'd been runnin' wid. I got my 
 week's earnin's and bidden' good-bye to de folks, 
 I came north and got a place wid Cap'n Day. But I 
 couldn' pray. No use, I couldn' pray. Still I 
 wants to git ligun. Well, by and by I goes wid Miss 
 Helen cross de sea and one night on de Mount of 
 Olives I sees Miss Helen prayin'. I wisht I could 
 pray, too. I says, 'Good Lord, f'give me my sins. 
 Blot out my sins fo de sun goes down.' I keep
 
 170 THE LOVE-WROUGHT MASTERPIECE. 
 
 on prayin' and de sun keep gittin' down. Finally 
 de sun gits down and I says to myself, 'De sun 
 gone down and I'se still a sinner.' Den I heard a 
 voice a-sayin, 'Look at you han's, Rufus.' I looks 
 at my han's and dey looks white. I looks at my 
 arms and my feet and dey shines and I looks up to- 
 ward de sky so full ob stars and I says, 'Praise de 
 good Lord, for Pse got ligun, sure miff.' ' 
 
 As Liza listened to the trials of Rufus her sym- 
 pathies were deeply stirred. As she hurried back 
 to her work she admitted that Rufus deserved far 
 better treatment. They had many opportunities 
 for sympathizing with each other, for Capt. Day 
 and Elder McDonald were building cottages near 
 Union Temple. 
 
 Liza low'd Elder McDonald's cottage was 
 "pow'ful handy and convenient." Rufus didn't dis- 
 pute her, but said, "The Cap'n has one about as 
 nice as any person kin want." 
 
 One day Rufus asked Capt. Day, "What youse 
 buildin' dat ar house down on de odder street fa?" 
 
 "O, Pm building that just to have something 
 to do," said the Captain, with a twinkle in his eye. 
 
 When "dat ar house down on de odder street" 
 was completed and furnished, Capt. Day took Rufus 
 and Liza to the cottage and said, "Here, Rufus, is 
 the exact amount of money you gave Helen in San 
 Francisco, and Liza, here is the deed for this home 
 which is the interest on the loan." 
 
 "I couldn't keep your secret, said Everett, as 
 he and Helen stepped from behind the curtain. 
 
 "No, nor we didn't want him to," said Mr. 
 and Mrs. McDonald, stepping from another corner. 
 
 "Well, we'll never let Mista Everett marry us 
 again," said Liza, as bashful as a school girl.
 
 THE CHRISTIAN ATHLETE. 171 
 
 The marriage of Rufus and Liza was a delight- 
 ful little incident in those busy, anxious days of 
 building the temple. The work seemed to be mov- 
 ing very slowly to all but the contractor. He was 
 getting along faster than he had expected. 
 
 The laying of the corner-stone had been care- 
 fully discussed and it was finally decided to have a 
 very simple ceremony and no invited guests. 
 
 One beautiful sunny morning just as the sun 
 came peeping over the eastern hills, Mr. and Mrs. 
 McDonald, Capt. and Mrs. Day, Rufus and Liza, 
 Everett and Helen stood at the corner of the tem- 
 ple, where the huge derrick held the large stone 
 that was to cap the corner-stone. 
 
 Everett stepped forward and placing his sister 
 Hester's Bible in the little pocket in the stone, 
 prayed that the temple might have as firm a foun- 
 dation as Hester's faith, and the work went on.
 
 CHAPTER XII. 
 
 THE GIANT IN THE PULTIT. 
 
 "And it shall come to pass in the last days, saith God, I 
 will pour out of my spirit upon all flesh. And your sons 
 and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men 
 shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams ; 
 and on my servants and on my handmaidens I will pour 
 out in those days of my spirit. And it shall come to pass 
 that whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall 
 be saved." 
 
 Everett and Helen were not idle during the build- 
 ing of the temple. Everett soon became acquainted 
 with hundreds in their homes. He held services 
 every Sunday in a big tent as long as the weather 
 would permit. When the vestry was finished he 
 spoke there. 
 
 Mr. McDonald's business experience was almost 
 indispensable and he was delighted with handling 
 the financial part of the work. 
 
 Captain Pay was absorbed in the work of Helen 
 among the children. The children took kindly to 
 Captain Day and he soon had a small army drilling 
 every evening in the big lot back of the temple. 
 
 At last the work on the temple was almost com- 
 pleted. Just as the spring beauties came peeping 
 
 172
 
 THE CHRISTIAN ATHI.BTB. 173 
 
 through the ground and the singing birds were 
 heard in the land, the large windows in memory of 
 Hester were placed in the temple. 
 
 The Evangelical Association soon completed 
 arrangements for the installation of Everett and the 
 dedication of the temple. 
 
 The day for the services was set for Thursday 
 and the services were to run throughout the day. 
 
 Rev. Dr. Habsdorf was chosen to preach the 
 installation sermon in the morning, and other parts 
 were assigned among the local ministers. 
 
 The Rev. Dr. Carter was chosen to deliver an 
 address on the "Need of the Poor," in the afternoon. 
 
 But when they came to decide upon the evening 
 service the association did not agree at once. Ever- 
 ett said that some noted Congregational minister 
 should preach in the evening. The committee 
 decided, however, that Everett himself should 
 preach in the evening. His objections were over- 
 ruled and he finally consented. 
 
 The dedication day arrived clear and beautiful. 
 The poor people had decided to have a holiday and 
 attend all the services. 
 
 Everett had read his simple statement of belief 
 and answered the questions of the Evangelical Asso- 
 ciation, and the association was ready for the install- 
 ation. 
 
 Dr. Habsdorf preached a powerful sermon on 
 "Love, the Supreme Builder." The other parts were 
 taken by the local ministers and the service was 
 deeply impressive. 
 
 The large auditorium was completely filled again 
 in the afternoon to hear the masterly sermon of the 
 Rev. Dr. Carter on "The Need of the Poor."
 
 174 THE GIANT IN THE PULPIT. 
 
 The chief interest, however, centered in the even- 
 ing service. Everett McDonald was an unknown 
 quantity. He had planned the temple, with its mag- 
 nificent equipment, but was he the providential 
 leader for such a field ? Was he not a little egotistic 
 to think he could fill such a large auditorium with 
 people Sunday after Sunday ? Was he a fanatic and 
 a dreamer? Yet as these questions came up, even 
 to Everett's friends, all were compelled to acknowl- 
 edge, as they looked at the simple grandeur of the 
 temple, with its faultless arrangements for the free 
 kindergarten, its splendidly equipped gymnasium, 
 its ample and well selected library, its hospital of 
 unequaled excellence, all paid for and sufficiently 
 endowed — all were compelled to acknowledge that 
 the young man possessed some of the essential quali- 
 fications for leadership. He was to preach in the 
 evening, and they would have a chance to judge 
 better at that time about the future of the temple. 
 
 An hour before the time for the evening service 
 the great auditorium was packed to its fullest capac- 
 ity. 
 
 A number of Presbyterians in the audience won- 
 dered why Elder McDonald had not persuaded his 
 son to be a Presbyterian. Such a church would be a 
 credit to their denomination. 
 
 Some Baptists, after having looked at the finest 
 baptistry they had ever seen, wondered why the 
 temple couldn't have been a Baptist temple. The 
 new minister was ordained by the Baptists and he 
 got his start in their church. 
 
 The Methodists said to themselves as they looked 
 around from their seats : "Well, he has the Meth- 
 odist altar; pity this couldn't have been a Meth-
 
 THE CHRISTIAN ATHLETE- 175 
 
 odist church." Some Congregationalists wondered 
 why the temple couldn't have been affiliated with 
 their denomination. 
 
 Over in another section a select few thought it 
 strange that the minister's wife hadn't prevailed on 
 him to be an Episcopalian — "she was confirmed in 
 our church." 
 
 A number of saloon-keepers who wanted to "size 
 up the minister," as they said, sat in one of the back 
 rows. The temple was so attractive that they knew 
 many customers would thus be drawn away from 
 them. Then the fearless way the new minister had 
 of talking to them face to face in their places of 
 business made them admire him and yet at the same 
 time fear and hate him. 
 
 There were also a number of young men present 
 who had grown up with Everett McDonald, ready 
 to have a good time. 
 
 Though many hoped young McDonald would be 
 able to fill such an auditorium Sunday after Sun- 
 day, only one in the entire audience had ever seen 
 Everett's ability tested before such a multitude. Yet 
 even Bob was anxious for the service to begin. 
 
 Everett had been restless and uneasy and anxious 
 all day. Helen's hand on his shoulder seemed to 
 quiet his fears but as soon as he was away from 
 her he worried. Just before he went out of the 
 parlor to the little study where those who were to 
 sit on the platform were gathering Helen took a 
 red carnation and pinning it on his coat, said : "This 
 is not my cause, but the Lord's that you are en- 
 trusted with tonight. Can't you forget yourself 
 and think of our great Master?" 
 
 Although there had scarcely been a minute during
 
 176 THE GIANT IN THE PULPIT. 
 
 the day in which they had not been praying, they 
 knelt together and Helen offered np a petition that 
 heaven stooped to hear and then went out into 
 the audience and took her seat by the side of Capt. 
 Day, who sat satisfied in the midst of "Helen's 
 soldiers" as he called the children. 
 
 In the study those who were to sit on the plat- 
 form knelt together and the man Everett had led to 
 Christ in the log cabin of the old college town 
 prayed again for "the Lord to help this young 
 man to help others like he has helped us." 
 
 The entire audience arose and the Chautauqua 
 salute was given Everett McDonald as he led the 
 way on to the platform. 
 
 Everett's face was very pale as he stepped to the 
 front of the platform and bowing his acknowledg- 
 ments, said to himself as he took his seat, "God 
 forbid that I should glory save in the cross of 
 our Lord Jesus Christ." 
 
 As the elocution professor took his seat beside 
 Dr. Habsdorf he said, with considerable feeling 
 and anxiety: "I hope the young man will do as 
 well with his own speech as he used to do in my 
 classes with other men's speeches." 
 
 The audience joined heartily in the opening ser- 
 vices. As they finished singing "In the Cross of 
 Christ I Glory," Everett McDonald in a calm, dig- 
 nified, determined way stepped up to the pulpit. 
 A hush came over the audience and there was 
 not even the rustle of a fan. Everett opened the 
 Bible at II Corinthians, 2d chapter, and read his 
 text in a clear, distinct voice that reached and 
 impressed every one in the room, "For I am deter- 
 mined not to know anything among you, save Jesus 
 Christ, and him crucified."
 
 THE CHRISTIAN ATHLETE. 177 
 
 Closing the Bible with a reverent touch he stepped 
 out near the front of the platform. His face so 
 white and immovable before, now began to kindle 
 with life and glow with light as he unfolded his 
 text. 
 
 As he proceeded he carefully threw the chain of 
 his thought around every listener and the current 
 of his oratory grew stronger and more powerful 
 until he held them spell-bound. 
 
 Under the intense earnestness of his theme, un- 
 trammeled by narrowness or conventionality, he 
 gradually rose to the highest pitch and throbbed 
 and glowed like a mighty furnace sending his fiery 
 thoughts into the leaden alphabet of human speech. 
 
 The audience gradually lost sight of the rhetor- 
 ical skill, the dazzling imagery, the profound logic, 
 the theological insight, the striking gestures, the 
 flashing eyes, the heaving bosom, the giant's 
 strength as that Christian Athlete placed before 
 them the living Christ. 
 
 The temple, the denomination, the man were 
 forgotten as the majestic personality of the Christ 
 spoke to every soul. 
 
 The professor in elocution forgot about his own 
 profession and clutching the arms of his chair 
 swayed to and fro under the magic of overwhelming 
 eloquence. 
 
 The saloon-keepers crawled down in their seats 
 quaking in terror before such a display of divine 
 power. 
 
 Helen, in the beauty of holiness, wiped joyful 
 tears from her radiant face. 
 
 Capt. Day rose from his seat and stood, the 
 restless soldier that he was, waiting the command 
 to lead the vast multitude to the help of Christ.
 
 I78 THE GIANT IN THE PUI.PIT. 
 
 Had Everett McDonald's masterly intellect 
 solved with credit every problem presented to him, 
 had he with herculean strength bowled down 
 mountains of opposing muscle in college contests, 
 had he with cunning craftiness and titanic strength 
 sent to defeat one of the monsters of the prize 
 ring, had he wept with fatherly tenderness over the 
 struggling sinner in the cabin — all, all of this power 
 now admirably adjusted and finely proportioned 
 focused itself into a burning, an overmastering ap- 
 peal for the salvation of the sinful. 
 
 Under the momentum of that appeal fathers 
 and mothers, husbands and wives, sons and daugh- 
 ters, saints and sinners crowded around that Metho- 
 dist altar and became one in Christ Jesus. 
 
 That night was but the beginning of the con- 
 tinuous outpouring of the Holy Spirit on pastor 
 and people where God's kingdom comes and His will 
 is done on earth as it is desired in heaven.
 
 3 1 
 
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