Fred S. Lincoln

“ In the rush there were none who received a correct credit for his amount, as boxes and baskets, and sacks upon sacks, were strewn over the ground, each merry worker adding his contribution with alacrity, causing such confusion that Harvey, whom Virgie had pressed into service as a kind of record-keeper, finally gave up the situation as a helpless one, and nodded or laughed his acknowledgment to each as he could get their attention.
When darkness came on the excitement grew to fever heat. ”

“ Here in the hills of a region remote from thriving, progressive humanity, sturdy men and loyal women built their little home of worship. The men carried from earlier surroundings only mental pictures of the churches they had known. Harassed by their inexperienced labor and crude tools, they had arrived at a result very slow in coming, and an irregular, inartistic structure was their reward at the happy end. ”

“ Still the young people accepted the situation good-naturedly, and when asked as to their success rather shame-facedly confessed that they "had not commenced yet," though the cause for such tardiness was evident in their enjoyment of everything else but the labor portion. So Virgie only cautioned them against losing their forfeits, and as she and Harvey left, one of the most bold among the young men cried after them that she might expect a record by their efforts before the day was over.
" Why do they all seem so fond of you?" ”

“ It was not until the decrepit old men and women—those who find a peculiar satisfaction in being the first to arrive and the last to leave their worship—it was not until these faithful souls came to divert his mind that he regained an active interest in people and left off dreaming. ”

“ Granting that they may be dear to you, is it not because you have only come to understand them, and in using that knowledge sway them to actions that are of your originating and not their own? Is it not the controlling their lives in a large measure that fascinates you? ”