Trail-Tales of Western CanadaRobinson, F. A. (Frank Alfred)
Religion
Trail-Tales of Western Canada
Robinson, F. A. (Frank Alfred)
Canadian fiction -- 20th century; Missions -- Canada, Western -- Fiction; Short stories, Canadian
The barking of the dog brought faces to the little four-paned window.
"Drive slowly! Give them time, give them time," said the
Superintendent, as the faces quickly disappeared. A few fowls
fluttered from within the shack, and a family pet in the shape of a pig
grunted disapproval at being forced to take an outside berth. For
fully three minutes there was such a house-cleaning as the old shack
had not known for many a month.
Alex. McDonald, pulling a dirty corduroy coat around him, sauntered
over to where the visitors were getting out of the cutter. He
"guessed" that the Superintendent and the student could find
accommodation for their horse, and a bite for themselves during the
noon hour. "We ha'ena got much of a place," he said, as the
Superintendent lowered his head to enter the miserable shack.
Each member of the family received a cheery greeting from the magnetic
superintendent, who never seemed at a loss to say the fitting word.
Mrs. McDonald was profuse in explanations and apologies. "We wesna
expectin' onybody, and these dark mornings it seems to be noon afore
you can get turned round." The visitors entered sympathetically into
the various reasons why things "wesna just straight."
To this day Caven Stewart remembers the deepened convictions that came
to him of the Superintendent's possibilities, as he watched him enjoy
his dinner. By various excuses Stewart had reduced his own portion to
the minimum when the pork and potatoes were dished up, and even then
more food went to his pocket than to his mouth. But not so with the
Superintendent. Not only did he have a liberal first supply, but
actually passed back his plate for more, meantime complimenting
McDonald on the gr-reat potatoes he grew and the fine pork he raised,
and incidentally remarking that the best potatoes and the finest pork
were easily spoiled in the hands of an incompetent cook. When he told
Mrs. McDonald that the dinner was just as he liked it--well-cooked and
plain--his place in her highest esteem was fixed. That he was a man of
excellent judgment she had no doubt.
McDonald's Old Land home was well-known to the Superintendent, and as
scenes familiar to both were recalled, geniality prevailed.
At the close of the meal the Doctor asked for "The Book." Anxious
looks were exchanged by the occupants of the shack, and ere long three
members of the family were uniting in the search. When at last, to the
great relief of the searchers, a dusty but unworn Bible was produced,
the Superintendent held it reverently in his outstretched hand.
Looking squarely at the head of the home, he said with a yearning that
no man could miss, "Eh, mon, but I'm sorry--sorry it's not worn more.
It's the best piece of furniture you have in the house. If any man
ought to have a well-worn Bible it's a Highland Scotsman." A few
verses were impressively read, and then for the first time in its
history the miserable shack contained a group kneeling in the attitude
of prayer.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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