The Greenville times. [volume] (Greenville, Miss.) 1868-1917, 1875-05-29

want to make-to make il Encom-
Portable for-for any of you-
fellers, butts ther 5 preacher in
the campo
The boys looked at each other
inquiringly men from every call
ing used 10 go the mines. and no
one would have been surprised If
a hack-sliding priest or even b,sh-
OF, had stepped to the front. Bua
none appeared, and the wounded
man, after looking despairinglY
from one to another, gave q smo-
thered cry;
God, hez a miserable wretch
got to cut hisself open, and then
flicker out without anybody to
say prayer for him."
The boys looked sorrowful. If
gold dust could have bought pray
crs, Billy would have had a first
class assortment III an instant.
"There's Deacon Adams, over
to Pattin's," suggested q by-stand-
er, Sand they do say he's regu-
lar rip-roaier at prayin'! But it
would take four nours to go and
fetch him."
"Too long" said the doctor.
Down in Mexico. at the Cathe-
dral," said another, "they pray
for a feller after he's dead, when
yer pay 'em fer it, and they say
it's just the thing-sure pop. I'll
give yer my word, Billy, and no
go back, that I'll see the job done
up III style fer yer, Of that's any
comfort.n
~ want TO hear 1t myself said
the sufferer. "i don't feel right
can't nobody pray? nobody in the
crowd27
Again the boys looked inquir-
ingly at each other, but this time
ii was little shyly Ii he had
asked for some one to 20 out and
steal Il mule, or kill a bear, or gal.
| lop buck-jumping mustang tl
Frisco, they would have fought
for the chance, but praying-pra
ing was entirely out Of their line
| The silence became painful
soon slouched hats were haulet
| down over moist eyes, and shirt
sleeves and bare arms seemed Il
| find something unusual to attont
to In the boys faces. Big Brook
commenced TO blubber around
and was led out by old Thompson
| who wanted q chance to get out o
doors SO he might break down il
private. Finally matters wer
| brought.to crisis by "Mose" =
no one knew his other name
Nose uncovered II sandy head, fac
and beard, and. remarked
Il don't want to put OH any air
| in this here crowd, but ef nobod
else ken say a word to the Lor
about Billy Bent, Pm goin' to d
1t myself. It's bizness I've neve
bin IN. but thcr's nothin' like try
in. This mectin' III come to ordc
to wunst,"
"llats off in church, gentlemen
commanded Pentccost.
of came every hat, and some {
the boys knelt down, and Mos
knclt beside the bench, and said
40, Lord, here's Billy Bent O
needs 'tcndin' to! He's pannc
out his last dust, and he seems
have pretty clear ideo thct th
is his last chance. He wants yo
to give him lift, Lord, an it
: the opinion of this house thet /
: needs it. 'Taint none of our BIZ
/, ness what he's done, and ef 1t ";
you'd know more about it tha
= we cud tell yer; but it's might
q sartin that o cuss that's been
| the diggins fur years needs sigl
of mendin' up before he kicks ii
bucket"
: "That's so,o responded two
n three, very cmphatically.
4 Billy's down, Lord, and no d
If cent man b'lecyes that the Lol
'ad hit a man when he's down,
1 theirs one NV two things got to
d done--either he's got to be helpt
/, or he's got to be lei alone. Lett
. him alone won't do no good,
8 hclpins the holt, an as any one
. us tough fellers would help him
e we knew how to, it's only fair
1t suppose thet the Lord II do 1t
- mighty sight quicker. When '
wuz boys, some of us read sor
Y promises of your'n IN thet bot
., ihet was writ good spell ago,
chaps in the old country, and tn
~ Sunday-school teachers and pa
: sons mixed the matter up IN o
G minds, and got us all tangle-fot
+; ed, we know they're thar, and "
know what we mean. Now, Lol
Billy's just the boy--he's o ha
!, case, so yon can't find 10 bett
~ stuff to work on---he's in b
fix thet we can't do nuthin' fer,
ii it's jest your chance. He aint {
actly the chap to make an A Nul
ber One angel of, but he aint I
ie man to 60 back ona friend, SO ht
n, be o handy feller to hev aroune
q Feel any better, Billy2P So
}, Nose, stopping the prayer for
moment.
"a little,p aaid Billy, foeb
y "but yon want TO tell tho VIII
yarn. Fm sorry for all the wro
X I've dene.V
=. "iIe's sorry fur ali bis dewitt
: Lord"
"Ah' I got nothin agin !
n Judge continued tho sufferer.
or And he don't bear no NAL
= agin Che Judge; which he should
- seein' he generally gin % good
n he TUX. And the long and sht
e, of II, Lord, is jest this--he's dy
n aud ho wants 4 chance to die w
be his mind easy, and nobody e