Rev. Bradbury drove to Sylvan Grove last Thursday to hold a Thanksgiving service that evening. When he got there no fire had been built in the church for they thought it too cold for him to come. He got W.H. McAdams to build a fire, and pretty soon Frank Fouts came. Then two cowboys came, entire strangers in the community, and both showing signs that they had observed the day according to the custom of their profession. After singing a song Mr. Bradbury began reading a chapter from the bible. While he was reading one of the cowboys got up and said he wanted to take up a collection. Mr. Bradbury asked him what he wanted to take up a collection for, and he replied, for the preacher. So the fellow took his hat and made the rounds of the audience. After counting the cash he announced that he found that he had given more than all of the others together and that he couldn’t put up with such a collection. He went after them again, making even his partner throw in a little more. After delivering the money he and his friend left the room. Rev. Bradbury had often heard about cowboy collectoins, but in all of his 25 years’ experience as a pioneer preacher this was the first one he ever saw. It is too bad that the good people of Sylvan Grove lost this opportunity of doing something for the preacher, for when he has to do the preaching and work the collection business both alone he usually neglects the latter. Wouldn’t it be a good idea for the elder to form a partnership with this fellow and make the round of his appointments?
