The weekly Panola star. [volume] (Panola, Miss.) 1857-1881, 1872-12-14
Billy Brisht Idea,

Upon The Town Farm Tor Aims
house farm of an interior town Il
the State Of Maiuo vas II youth
named Billy iiaight. Bllly's father
had been an educated man, and al
| excellent mechanic, but run had
been bis hsne, and his excessively
Incorporate habits had visited their
penalty upon his children, Billy, at
the ago of nineteen, had become an
oyergrowp, good-natured fool, and
had been taken in charge by the
town fathers, and Installed . tenant
| oftIle aIms~houAa. tn timo it came
to pass that Capt. Jerry Fletcher as
sumed the superinteudeucy Of the
Town Farm, and the paupors were
glad; for Capt. Jerry was a jolly,
ust, and humane man Billy llsight
especially, was iubjlaut, His father
aud the Captain had been close
friends ia other years, aud he re-
garded the Captain with real alice
ton.
A few months Of Capt. Fletchors
rule wrought a change for the better
IN Billy, lie had become quiet and
respectful, and was induced to dc
much work upon the farm.
Ola Parson Strong preached N
the Centre Village, and occaslonaIly
he called at the Alms-house sne
held prayers with the inmates. Bill
ly Haight, from some catao or 9th.
or, conceived a strong liking for th'
parson, aud not only manifested
pleasure when he came, but listeneC
attentiyeIy while he eXhorted ant
prayed. Ono day Billy expressed
desire to hear Mr.. Strong preach il
his big church, and The parson urge'
Capt. Fletcher to bring him Ill
would run the risk. AT first Fletch
er dem urred, but the combined per
guaeion Of both Billy and the parsol
at longth prevailed and on a pleas
ant Sabbath in autumn Billy VIZ
suffered to accompany the cartai
to church.
p The meeting. house was Of tho Oh
style--a great square, barn.lik
structure, with eIevstod pulpit, an
a broad, high gallery running aroun
upon three sidos. Billy sat in IL
I. gallery, and during all the service
: he was as quiet and orderly az cou.
be. On the way home he aske
60 Capt. Jerry If il was proper TO slee
Il in church while the minister vi
preaching. The Captain told bin
But SAID Billy, Il saw Dsacc
Smith and Uncle Sol. Gates and Q
ID Codger Martin asleep. | think il
was the minister I'd keep EN- awake
b GLOW would you do IL, Billy"
% 80, I've rot an idea"
II hope it's a bright one"
IL, "You bet"
n Had the Captain been wise
!, might have investigated Bill.
bright idea further; but somethl
py, occurred to turn the current Of &
versstiou, and he thought no mt
n Fof it--at least, not at that time.
BY When the next Sabbath cane,
Billy had behaved 30 remarkaI
well On the previous occasion,
ia was suffered 10 90 to church aga
On tins occasion Billy perched hi
:. self upon a front seat Of the gale
overlooking The congregation belt
Tha services commenced, aud "
smoothly on until the sermon
well under way. BY and by Dea'
Ills Smith began to nod. Billy saw
~irreyerent movement, aud putt
NO his band into his well-flIed poe
els, he drew forth d large sized bntf
nut, aud shied it with unerring q
hitting the nodding deacon in
seli centre Of hiE bald pate, and can'
ned him to leap with alarm, and
Ian. causing quite . connection IN his
'ise mediate vicinity.
Uncle 6ol Gates was also Il
! a' IF ding, and upon his imPiously sv
. ing head Billy let fly . second
A third, shot with wonderful
!, %cisioD, startled old "Codger" Aa
~ from . comfortable pap. r
X By this time the psrson had
covered the cative Of the disturba
- and Just az Billy was about to th
H. a fourth nut hs called to him
ia'fs' thoritasiysly 10 desist.
AGO ahead, Parson,' said i
with patronizing assurance. .,
YOU attend to your preaching,
IlI keen the old sinners awake !.