Iowa voter. [volume] (Knoxville, Iowa) 1867-1874, 1873-10-23
REX, THE KING.

Sunday morning in proper western
city. All the righteous inhabitants and
sinners, who had just gotten new summer
suits, were in the churches, saying their
prayers, or nodding-approval9-at their
pastors. l won't deny there were loung-
ers around depots, ard groups of vaga-
bonds splitting and growing before the
low boarding houses, and one young man
cantering up streets and down alleys, as if
witch-ridden. But, generally speaking,
the city was moral city, and had gone to
church.
What allied that MANI His body was
big and vigorous. He walked with a
broad-chested swing. You knew he was
gentleman by the fine contour of his
face; did not his dress, Notwithstanding
its disorder, impress that fact on you be-
fore you noticed this. But he was acting
like a lunatic. Ever as he swung for
ward he turned and watched the ground
behind him. Often he wheeled and
kicked the past. His eyes were dilated.
Cold sweat stood on his forehead, and
broke through the beard of his cheeks.
Organ thunder and peoples voices
filled all the air around him.
"Oh you're all safe and comfortable"
he painted, fiercely; 'I'd like to take it in
there, and let it wriggle down some of
your backs, and then hear your thanks
givings! Oh, God, if you are up aloft,
listening to all the gable made to you
this day, send me deliverance from this
blingp'
So, over crossing, down street, across
the river bridge, "the thing marched him
on. He was in the suburbs; miners
wives and broods staring after him. He
was in the woods, crushing grass beneath
his heels, writhing with his arms reached
ireeward His face turned again to the
town, and he tramped through ways of
men, lion wrapped by boa-poor Reg
inald
Folks were flowing out of the churches,
and sweeping homeward with thoughts of
Sunday dinners on their peaceful counte-
nances.
Now the man was mad, indeed.
He darted this way and that among
the TRANQUILITY flock. Rushing
round q corner, he came in contact
with Marion, and rebounded, pant
ing aloud. Marion stood, drawing
deep breath of establishment. He swept
her with lightning glance into his per-
ception. She was woman, all puppies
and grays as to her dress-rain- washed
purple and pearly gray. She was of wo-
manly stature, plant; cool to look at,
under the fiery sun, as silvery flag-lily.
Her face flashed suddenly beautiful as
he encountered it. OF all the souls going
home from spiritual pasture. he, by in
stinct or accident, struck the right soul
for him. How the twittering young wo-
men would have stared at him! how
would even the mild pastor have stood at
bay!
She OWNED his need before he twisted
his hands and strangled to her-"Help
me! for Gods sake, help mel"
What shall l dor"
"Show me where to go from that snake
which is following me" he pointed be-
hind, near his feet-"Quickw
Come this way!" said Marian, snatch
ing his hand. She took charge of him as
she used to do of her young brothers on
stormy nights from school.
There is but step from the sublime to
the ridiculous, we learned in our copy
books. In fact, thing may be sublime
70 one or two, and ridiculous to every
body else.
They ran; Marian a purple scudding
cloud, her patient the gale which blew
her. She guided his force, and let the
people stare.
Thus they dashed into the grotto parlor
OF her cool, large home. She thanked
Providence that mamma was safe in
morning nap many rooms away, and the
boys employing all the powers of their
minds getting ready for luncheon and
Sabbath school.
"Oh, you've saved me from ii ~ breathed
reginald, dropping, breathless and dusty,
on sofa. think Of the cold, scaly
thing following you whole night-dart-
ing its tongue-hissing / defed it,
kicked it-trod on it-and it grew bigger
every minute. When first saw it, it
wasn't as large as my finger, but now it's
the size of tree. know it's delirium
tremens; but, Oh, God! it would unman
anybody! You angel-woman, how must
have frightened you! But there-there it
Is again! 1t came in under the door,"
lie rolled back in commissions.
Marian went swiftly between him and
the door.
Your foot is on its neckr' yelled Regi-
maid, leaping up, with his eyeballs start
ing horribly.