The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1874-04-11

Not from mortal enemy | don mean
said the Deacon II think so much Oh So.
Joseph, that I'd knock such one down
the name of the Lord fore l sald ahy'hll
bout it. | mean the Devii-thc enemy
your soul" &C.,, ,1 =,
"Oh." said Joe, looking relieved, ana IT
suming operations with knlte anu ip1h;
the good book, Joseph" continued inc De'
con. IA ,,oi,
"Reckon I'd see most of my Oh guam
ances eff went thar" remarked Joe, quit
checrfuly, rs he poured the molasses on
fresh plate Of cakes.
Their worm dieth not, and the llTc Is nc
Iouenched" said the Deacon.
'"That refers to the worm they use uistiI IN
whisky, pardner?" inquired Joe, puShin!
bacl. his empty plate.
The Deacon gToaned,
"iTan't no use wastin yer powder an ball
pardner," continued Joe, in the best OF TEN
her; fur don't skeer with goldurn.' Ant
Joe put on his hat and mcandcrcd down t
| the claim.
Joe" said the Professor, hastily washing
| his hands, II want to speak with you mo
mcnt. Come up this way; it's Il little private
Ah-don't you think it would be advisable
very desirable, in tact-to change your mode
of life somewhat"
"Wall, | dunno" replied Joe, with great
dcIiberation. Think Of movin' nearer the
claim
All don't refer to material matters so
much as to, an-spirtual ones" said the Pro
fcssor "All the promises, you know, are
conditional on walking in the right paths,
and maintaining II proper frame OF mind"
Look here Professor said joe "is 1t rcli-
riOn yer "A driyin' at?n
Exactly" exclaimed the Professor, raising
his glasses, and looking Joe full in the face.
"lhen it's no 60" said Joe, cOnfidcn ly.
"The Deacons been a-tryin' it on"
"Indeedw exclaimed the Professor, hastily,
putting on very reserved air.
Yes" said Joe. Put in regular twenty.
blast; but it only tizzled. Reckon the rock 5
purity tough, Professor, an not much indiCa-
lions no how" And Joe laughed in his
sleeve, and started to find the Major and beg
a cigar
The Major gave Joe an excellent cigar,
promised larger monthly dividend than the
claim had ever declared before, and told Joe
IL trSt-ratc story. And when he had got Joe
into an excellent humor, he commenced NOV
ing skillfully on Joc's outworks.
SCOT much laid up, Joe:' inquired the Ma
jor, with bland hypocrisy.
Mary" replied Joe, with emphasis, and
then Il loud laugh at the utter absurdity Of
such an idea.
Time YOU commenced, old fellow" said
the Major "YOu can be well off in Il few
if the claim keeps going as well as
now
mo good ofme savin' moaey, rel 1ied, Joe,
with an oath as generous rs IL was unncCCS-
sary. "SomcbOdyd steal it,
"NOnscnsew cried the Major. You'll
want wife and house to live in one of these
days; and then you'll find money very han
", no matter how much you have"
blouse an Wife" calculated Joe. "Tnun-
Ter an pIckaXcs, Major, No woman nd have
uch a galoot rs me-"
PLENTY of them would, quick enough" re
died the Major you're young and good.
ooking and good.natured, and have plenty of
rood sense. All you need to do is to stop
gambling, fighting swearing
Major" interrupted Joe, blowing smoke
rom both corners of his mouth until his face
was eilcctually clouded, that's the identical
game that the two other chaps has been u
,layin on me this mornin'"
Not the Deacon and the Professor" que
led the Major, quickly, and hiding his lips
ntirely away under his moustachc.
Jus Sc" replied Joe. Zone Of EN- piled
n the birthstone; and tother tried sugar.
5ut faint no go, Major. Fact is, I've thought
heap about it; an I've made up my mind
hat what TIERS so much tghtin' about is too
luch, by long shot, for me to GIT through
~ head Take somethn'? Oh yer don't
rink on duty, do yer? do, yer know; say
lg which, Joe sauntered off to Sorrel's sa-
,on, and waited patiently about until he
,ulI foil in u-itb Gonna nna whnso pnpvnroo-
on should run IN different strain from that
{ had heard daring the morning
vt the dinner table that day the partners
id not exhibit their usual cordially Joe, |
} be sure, ate with a good appetite, and told
good thing or two he had heard at the sa-
BON; but his three partners regarded each
ther somewhat after the manner of three
'c,lbred dogs having designs on the same
one The Deacon and the Professor felt az
rleved; and the Major seemed considerably |
nnoycd; but all were too gOOdnatured to
how any rudcncss Joe finished his meal |
nd departed in search of more cheerful com
any. AS he departed the Deacon uttered
ing sigh and exclaimed:
"Ah, the dcpravity of the human heart"
"Ah, | think, said the Professor Cmpyting
is coilee-cup, that il Is perhaps well to re-
lCmbcr that the human mind is more amen.
bic To persuasion than to force. Our friend !
5 better tempered than most men; but he de.
pises the sentiment Of fear and is not likely !
, awaken it in him."
THE law was made for sinners" replied
hc Deacon, with Il savage kick at the cook S |
og: that's what the Apostle says; and its
errors ought TO be talked to 'em till they &c
Weakened to sense of their danger and flee
rom the wrath to come"
suppose we approach the matter in a com |
nonsense manner" suggested the Major.
If we are all three going to attack Joe at
nee, ordinary prudence dictates that we act |
lnitedly. Remember those two Mexcans we
lad, who fought about mule that some
camp stole while they squabbled?"
The Deacon was as reasonable as men gen. |
rally; but when he heard the human soul
ompared, even distantly, with Meyicans
mule, he INDUCED in what would have been |
allied decided sniff had the Deacon been
ady. But neither insulting comparisons nor
Ictcrodox looseness as to means OF grace were
to make the Deacon Swervc from
lis clearly. duty; so he cx-
laimcd in Il very decided tone:
Straight is the path an narrer Is the way,
IN nobody amt got the right To make it any