Captain Pott's Minister Part 2

"Indeed, so soon? And do you really mean to go?"

"Certainly. Why not?"

"I suppose there is no reason why you should not. But----" she paused.

"I've heard that sort of statement several times to-day, and invariably with the little 'but' at the end. I'm curious to know why my presence at the Inn will cause any disturbance. Is that the inference?"

"Other ministers have tried to get hold of the boys, but they went at it wrong, and failed," she said.

"I'll try to go at the matter from the right end," he replied, smiling.

"Will you go if you find yourself opposed?"

"I think I can interest the boys sufficiently to overcome any opposition from the Innkeeper, if that is what you mean."

"What if the opposition comes from other sources?"

"From the members of the church?"

"Yes."

"Why should they interfere with me?"

"But suppose they do?"

"I'll go, anyway," he answered decidedly.

"I'm glad to hear you say that, and I trust you will be able to help the members of the club," she said quietly. "But, there! I really must be going. The ladies will think I have deserted them."

Elizabeth smiled, and the minister followed the smile down from her eyes to the corners of her mouth. He made the mental observation that he had never seen a more beautiful face. As she ran lightly up the path, he watched her, unmindful of several pairs of observing eyes focused knowingly in his direction.

When the day was over, and the furniture restored where the greater part belonged, the "Cleaning Bee" gradually broke up. Captain Pott declared to Elizabeth: "It wa'n't half so bad a day as I cal'lated it would be, and it's many a year since the old craft has looked so neat and togged up."

That evening the Captain sat on his back doorstep, smoking his pipe, and thinking. He thought about the transformation wrought by the hand of women inside the house. He heaved a sigh, and thought of Clemmie Pipkin.

If she were only able to forget all the past and consent to his oft-repeated proposal, but----He had thought that all out before, and had brought all his persuasive powers against the citadel of her heart, but to no avail. A new light dawned upon him. Perhaps----

Mr. McGowan came round the corner of the house. The Captain rose to meet him.

"Mack, how'd you like to go out to the _Jennie P._ with me? That's the name of my power-boat out there in the harbor. I thought it might be sort of restful to take a little cruise after this house-cleaning typhoon."

"That's a splendid idea, Cap'n. It will seem like old times to get aboard a vessel with you, though it is only a power-boat."

"And, Mack, if there's any time I can step in and help you pilot the salvation craft you've signed up with, just you let me know. It ain't likely I'll be much good to you, but----"

The two men gripped hands. Little did they know that night as they peacefully sailed round the inlet just what the future was to demand in the way of a fulfilment of that promise.

CHAPTER II

During the following weeks Mr. McGowan continued to grow in favor with the people of the church and village. Every Sunday the little chapel was crowded. His sermons, practical in thought, simple in language, and direct in delivery, were discussed about the tables of the country folk during Sunday dinner. The boys of the Athletic Club had received him cordially, not only because of his athletic ability, but because he had proved himself a good fellow. Elder Fox had strenuously opposed intimate relations.h.i.+ps between the club and former ministers, but he made no attempt to interfere with Mr. McGowan, although he remained skeptical as to the wisdom of such secular tendencies. Sim Hicks, the keeper of the Inn, did not like the minister, and declared he would oust him from the community if it were the last act of his life.

The one man who responded most naturally, whole-heartedly, and with simple loyalty to the power of the young man's personality was Captain Josiah Pott. These two became close companions, and one evening Mrs.

Eadie Beaver remarked concerning it:

"Ain't you glad I got him in with you, Josiah?"

"Cal'late I am, Eadie. I was mad at first, but it's beginning to mean a heap to me to have him here."

"You always seemed so lonely when you'd come home, and I'd see your light in the setting-room window. It don't seem that way now when I look across."

"It is real nice and homelike having him in the house."

"I'm glad it's different for you," declared his next-door neighbor as she looked about the room. "Things look real trim since the painters got through."

The seaman's face clouded. "It took a sight more than I thought it would, though, and it ain't going to be easy to pay back to Jim what I borrowed to do the repairing with."

"Now, don't you go to crossing any bridges till you get to 'em. The Lord will provide when the time comes."

"Cal'late He might, but I've always noticed that it's safer to help Him a mite on the perviding question."

"Well, ain't you helping? You're doing the janitor work at the church, and that helps some. And, then, you'll get a s.h.i.+p one of these days, mark my word. Mr. Fox said as much to Harry just the other day."

"I ain't so sure of that, Eadie," remarked the Captain doubtfully. It was reasonably clear to his mind that the Elder had a fish to fry in thus starting reports of his willingness to secure a command for the Captain, and it was also reasonably clear that sooner or later he would catch a whiff of the frying fat which would indicate the breed of that fish. Till then, the Captain must be content to wait.

"By the way, Josiah, have you heard that the day has been all set for the installation service?" asked Mrs. Beaver. "Mr. Fox is arranging it, and it's going to be a great time."

"What are they aiming to do?"

"Why, don't you know? An installation service is a meeting where all the ministers of other towns come in and say nice things about our minister.

Elder Fox says this one will be a special one, because some one has said that Mr. McGowan ain't sound in church doctrine, being as he graduated from what is called a 'New Theology' school. Mr. Fox says he's going to prove that ain't so."

"What's all that got to do with him being a man?"

"I guess it ain't got much to do with that. But you know there is a difference between being just a man and being a real minister."

The Captain looked at her oddly. "And they're planning to change him from one to the other, is that the idea?"

"No-o, not that exactly. But Mr. Fox thinks it would be a good time to show all the people that Mr. McGowan is orthodox. There will be ministers here from everywhere. The Reverend Mr. Means is coming out from New York."

"If they're all like that feller, they'll be a hot lot."

"Josiah Pott! Haven't you any respect for the cloth?"

"Not for the kind he wears, I ain't. I'd say his cloth is a sort of sheep's clothing, same as the Bible speaks of."

"If you can't talk decent I sha'n't stay," said Mrs. Beaver. She bridled past him, and on into her own yard.