Fayetteville observer. [volume] (Fayetteville, Tenn.) 1850-1966, 1875-06-24
How 'Aunt MarthaIPray-
ed Him Out.

halred, having a cane In one hand,
and carrying basket of notions
in the other. All who knew her
knew her as Aunt Martha and
she's travelled up and down, aud
been at the depot SO often that
her death would be the occasion
of a general remark. The Oh
woman found a new saloon on
Franklin street the other days
place just opened by wicked Bob
Smith, whose red face and blood
shot eyes have more than ouee
been set in frame of prison bars.
Aunt Martha went in, hoping
to make a small sale. Bob was
wiping his glasses, and half doz-
en- men sat around the stove hold
ing glasses or smoking cigars.
"Git outl" growled Bob, as the
old woman entered. She did not
hear him, and, leaning over the
counter, she asked, "WouId We
have a paper of pins. cake of
soap, a comb, or something?"
'Git out, you old Deggar?'
shouted Bob, raising his arm as if
he would strike.
"Pm no beggar, and don't you
dare to strike mel replied Aunt
Martha, never moving an inch.
"Why, what's to keep me from
wringing your old neck if l want
to?" inquired Bob.
''The Lord, sir!" she answered.
"Ho! ho! ho!" laughed Bob.
There, take that!''
And he deluged her with the
rinsings. The filthy liquid struck
her in the face and ran down over
her faded black shawl and off
washed calico dress, but she dill
not move. Lookingat him across
the counter, she whispered, ,,"You
need praying for, aud Pm going
to do it now and here!"
"No, you dOn'tr' he shouted as
ste moved toward a chair; SECT
out of here or III mash your head
with this bottle"
She never minded him, aud he
raised the bottle for a throw when
q saiIor-rough, dissipated, but
having some manhood left-leap-
lp and cried out, "Bob Smith, if
you throw that bottle at her, I'll
5tave in your bulwarks in q pre-
c.ous minute"
You will, eh?" whooped Bob as
he danced out.
eyes, he will cried the rest,
rising up.
They were too many for Bob, and
be had to stand there while Aunt
Martha knelt ct 2 chair and pray
ed for him.
She was still praying when he
dashed out to kick her, but "Foxey
Bill, who came out of state pris,
N only a month ago, grabbed him
BY the throat, forced him into u
chair, and hissed, "Bob Smith, if
re harm a hair of that old woman's
lead, I'll make a funeral here!"
Aunt Martha knelt again, fold
ID her hands, and said, These
7ouag men were children not loh4
go, and they had praying moth
RS and God,iearing fathers. They
ire walking in wicked paths, and
heir hearts know no good. |
'ray that their eyes may beopeH-
4 to their wickedness, and tiIAG
heir feet may be turned into 9th,
II aud better paths"
"She's right!' called out a
as the old woman
,ansed.
"Saoot me if she hain'l!' cried
Go ahead, mother!" shouted
bird.
IN be-if she doas!' yelled
he iufuriated Bob, and he reach
d her and gave her a heavy kick
efore any one could interfere.
She screamed with pain as she
Ose up and then there came
errible silence. Bob stood with
is arm raised to strike.
Aunt Martha leaned on the
hair, tears rolling down her
'rinkled checks, and the half
Oxen men were spelI-bound with
ldignatiOn. Foxey Bill broke
be silence by saying, "Step out
oors, mother, and look out lor
plinters." ..I
She obeyed, and Bob Smith 3
7as choked and pounded until his
enses left him; aud every thing
lat could be handled was thrown
ut Of doors. They worked swift.
2, fearing the police, and in five
iinutes the saloon was a wreck,
sd lis proprietor, still uncon-
,ious, was lying behind the coun-
n. The work finished, the men
.sappeared like shadows; and
unit Martha hobbled away, wbis.
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