"I wonder if St. Peter at the Gate of Heaven will distinguish between
the 'Pious' and the 'Godly'?"--Irony of Boss Holden.
Bud lost no time in circulating the news that baby Anna was sick, and
would doubtless die like Flip. Due to the character of the "simple
life," most of the women forgot their prejudices and only thought that
some neighbor was in trouble, so those that did not immediately run up
to the house, at any rate phoned to see what they could do.
Brother Hallock and Stella were kept busy answering the phone or door
bell, and delivering messages to Venna.
"How kind hearted they are after all!" exclaimed Venna, gratefully.
When Dr. Jensen came back to see Venna about quarantining the house, he
was amazed to find her all smiles.
"O Dr. Jensen," she said joyously, admitting him, "baby is fine and
Mrs. Halloway is almost in hysterics with joy."
"I don't understand you," said Dr. Jensen, looking dazed.
"Come and see!" exclaimed Venna.
He followed her upstairs to the room he had left such a short time ago.
Here in the little bed lay baby Anna, laughing at her toes. Beside her,
sat Anna, with tears of joy streaming down her face.
"I'll be--!" But he checked his exclamation as he looked at Venna,
dumfounded.
"You may well be surprised. Doctor. But with God nothing is impossible."
"I--I must have made a mistake--but yet--we were both so sure; strange!
It's beyond me!"
Then Venna told him about the young preachers' gift of healing.
"Pooh! Nonsense!" exclaimed Dr. Jensen. "Don't let yourself believe
such nonsense! Well, I must hurry off to the Board of Health and
confess that we made our first mistake. It couldn't have been
paralysis!"
So Dr. Jensen reported his error to the authorities, but Anna and Venna
thanked God for the miracle.
When Mr. Halloway returned he was told the wonderful story. But,
contrary to their expectations, he was not at all sceptical.
"I saw her this morning and I see her tonight," he said, very much
impressed. "_That_ is what I call _proof_!"
Anna and Venna asked the young preachers to prolong their stay.
"Both of us--and Mr. Halloway also, want to understand your beliefs
thoroughly."
So the young missionaries consented to stay until they had given their
message to its fullest extent.
When Bud spread the story of baby Anna's miraculous recovery, sentiment
swayed like a pendulum, and the prejudice, temporarily overcome by
sympathy, now asserted itself with greater force. Mr. Allworth was seen
talking to groups of his parishioners and always gravely shaking his
head.
"It is the work of Satan," he declared more than once.
He even felt it his duty to call upon Miss Haskell and consult with her
upon this awful menace that had entered Ashfield!
"Is there no legal way of putting these young men out of town?" asked
Mr. Allworth.
"Not unless you can persuade Mayor Holden they are doing mischief. It's
hard to convince a man like him who is so worldly and not in touch with
the Lord."
"Yes," spoke up Miss Mary piously, "but we might pray before attempting
to convince him."
"You are right," said Miss Harriet with decision, "I'll go to him
myself. Though he did insult me in his store, I'll show him I'm not
afraid of him!"
So the "trio" prayed, after which Miss Harriet set out upon her dutiful
errand. It was in the afternoon, so she would have a chance to see him
alone. Sure enough, as she entered the store, there sat the postmaster,
proprietor and Mayor, making out his monthly post-office report for
Washington. Not a soul was in the store.
Boss Holden looked up with an inward groan. His monthly report was
anything but pleasant, and here was Miss Harriet! He could tell by her
expression that she had official business to transact!
"What can I do for you?" he asked, with rough kindness.
"I've come, Mayor Holden, to enter a protest against those young Mormon
preachers remaining in town!"
"What have they done?" asked Holden, laying down his pen, and settling
back in his chair comfortably.
His simple question and keen glance disconcerted Miss Haskell for a
moment. Then she felt the fighting spirit rise within her.
"What _haven't_ they done. Mayor Holden? They've gained such an
influence over the young girls, I believe they'd all leave for Utah
tomorrow, if asked, and they're spreading around town that they saved
baby Anna from certain death. _If_ they did, it was, because Satan
helped them to it. Are all our labors in the churches to come to
naught, while you sit calmly by and say nothing, 'till it's too late?"
Boss Holden smiled unpleasantly.
"To put the complaint in a nutshell. Miss Harriet, they've really done
nothing yet, except get themselves liked and saved a baby! Can't oust
them on that!"
"You refuse, then, to put them out?" asked Miss Harriet, stiffening
with righteous scorn. "I can plainly see, Mayor Holden, how you never
could enter a church! If you encourage evil influence here, you have no
right to be Mayor of Ashfield!"
"Perhaps you'd like the job?" asked Mayor Holden, with rising anger.
"When women get the vote, they may have such opportunity," returned
Miss Harriet, sharply. "I ask you again, do you refuse?"
"Damm't, I do! And I hope those decent fellows will stay here long
enough to hand out their influence. To hell with all this gossip!"
Miss Haskell shuddered.
"Such language in the presence of a lady! I might have expected it.
Well, Mayor Holden, if _you_ won't do your duty, _I_ shall!"
And with great dignity she left the store.
Holden mopped his brow with his handkerchief.
"What fool trick will she be up to now?" he muttered. "Join that church
bunch? Guess not, Holden! You have too much respect for yourself," he
chuckled.
Miss Harriet, Miss Mary and Mr. Allworth united forces in their
great cause of duty toward Ashfield. They sent out notices to their
neighbors, writing both mothers and fathers to attend meetings, in
which the trio took turns in disclosing the "awful evils" in the
"Mormon Menace." No children or young girls were admitted. The parents
were horrified at the disclosures.
At these meetings, Mr. Allworth exerted his influence in true Methodist
style. With tears and pleadings, he begged the people to "Beware!"
The response was quick and decisive. They forbade their girls to go
near Mrs. Hadly. The girls sullenly obeyed, but openly defended "The
Mormons." This intensified the impression of the diabolical influence
they possessed.
Meanwhile, all unconscious of the village murmurings, Venna, Anna and
her husband were enjoying their visitors to the utmost. Anna's deep
gratitude for the recovery of her babe helped the young missionaries in
their convincing arguments.
Both Venna and Anna demanded Biblical proof for all doctrines. But Mr.
Halloway accepted Mormonism after a few short talks.
"You go on reasoning, Anna," he said kindly, "but I've got enough proof
right here in these two young men themselves. If ever God was with men.
He's with these two. Haven't I seen enough of the world to know they
have something different to other men? I've led the practical life and
have learned to know men directly I meet them. They couldn't fool me.
These men are not doing Satan's work. How do I know it? Because I _know
men_. Now, if they're not of Satan, they have to be of God--or how did
they save our babe? That's all the reasoning I want. I'm ready to have
them _teach me_ religion now. Thank God, there's some real religion in
the world--something _substantial_ to work on!"
Venna wondered at the girls' absence, but was too busy to give it much
thought.
Toward the end of the week Bud came in the back door with a mysterious
caution.
"Say, Stella, don't yer squeal I've been here. I want ter see Missus
Hadly alone!"
"Come here. Bud," called Venna from the sitting room, as she heard his
voice.
Bud entered cautiously, his eyes round with wonder.
"An' yer sitting here so calm like!" he exclaimed in open admiration.
"And why not, Bud dear?" she asked, laughing.
"Yer too good for Ashfield, Missus Hadly!" said Bud, gingerly touching
one of her curls. "The divil's got holt o' this place!"
"What do you mean, Bud?"
"I mean I come ter warn yer an' yer friends. There's goin' ter be a
des-tin-ation ter-night."
"Destination? You've got your big word wrong again. Bud. Use a smaller
one."
"I tho't a big game ought ter hev a big word. Well, there's goin' ter
be a show down o' feeling."
"Oh, you mean demonstration. I see--well, a demonstration of what
feeling. Bud?"
"Feeling agin the Mormon fellers! Outside yer house ter night! I
overheard Mister Allworth talking wi' Miss Harriet. I'll never like a
minister again! Nasty, mean, isn't it?"
Venna looked serious. "Tell me _everything_ you heard, Bud."
"Heard only words now an' then. I almost fell off the roof a'
listenin'. Mother'll paddle me if she finds me here. Must be goin'.
This house is got an awful name--all for nuthin', jes 'cause angels
like you ain't the style no more."
Venna put her arms around Bud and hugged him close.
"You blessed lambie--if all the world were as fair as you!" she
exclaimed, kissing both his round cheeks, much to Bud's pleasure.
"Run along now, dear. Don't get in trouble about us. You're good to
warn us--we'll be prepared? Sugar cookies in the kitchen, you know!"
When Bud left her, Venna stood for a moment in troubled thought. "Is
it possible that _Christians_ can do these things to those who love
the same God?" she asked, for the first time coming in conflict with
the religious intolerance of the day. She had blissfully imagined that
religious intolerance was a thing of the past. But Venna was only upon
the threshold of religious experience.