The anti-monopolist. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1874-1878, 1875-10-04

MOONLIGHT.

1t was certainly very Interesting little
difficulty Neither the squire, who has
been at home n deacon and II Justice Of the
peace, nor Hoxfori, the English ex cole
ginn, held either knife or pist oil: vet Briar
the most accomplished ruff ian among the
miners at PITTS Gulch, stopped work,
leaned on his pick, stared adniringly II,
the contestants, and wished that uncomtnrt,
able consequences In ght eternally afiiict his
Immortal part i it wasn't tie ealniest firht
he had witnessed. Men who always left
the store or the bar on he slightest lndIca-
tlon OF ihculty, now remained, while
these to when fight was the most delight
1ut OF stIinuiants crowded near with eager
eyes. These gentlemen did not understand
either OF The disputants when he spoke.
aud the subject OF disagreement was one III
which ihej took no interest whatever; bnt
they knew fighting eye when they saw il;
and so excited were they that many larger
\ bets would have been made, had those who
& desired TO risk money felt amy confidence in
their own ability 10 determine when The
night ended and who was winner
For ioxford and the squire were talking
4 theology. The discussion was provoked,
innoceniiy enough, by Peel, the rhila,"l
PIMA BAKER Peel had announced his in,en
4 ton OF trying to get al ex preacher from
somewhere up The creek TO come down
some Sunday and hold service But every
PITTS Gulchite knew that the squire loved
an argument as dearly rs he did gold dust
and hat lloxtord, who mad been a wranr
ler AT the university whose name had been
cockneyizcd and applied to him, did not in
tend that his talent should rust so long as
he could find some one on whom to brighten
it. Finally, when the squire announced
his belief Ia the infexibilliy Of divine JUS
tice, ii was with tho air Of soldier whe
was not only in his last ditch, but was full
ly aware of the fact, and who felt himselt
inspired with strength equal toa host
His hat had fallen of, aud his iron grey
locks had blown away from his face: his
strong decided features seemed each a little
sharper in outline than ever before. hi.
steel blue eyes, though entirely devoid o,
teroclty, CLEANED very brightly. while tht
defiant pose of his Whole frame, ms h.
learned lightly on his long handled shovel
so strongly affected Gamboge. the unsuc
cessful artist that the latter hastily drew
forth n stumpy pencil and an old letter. an,
scrawled study for christian martyr
'.Im in dead earnest about this. " said til,
squire, succeeding himself after the mo
ment or two of silence which had followe,
his last argument: "'cos there's lots of mer
calm themselves ministers of the wore
tina; are goin' round dom powerful sigh
o harm by loo scnin' folkses ideas of RICH
and wrong. Straight is the road an mar
rows the way. says the book; but to hea
these fellers talk, you'd think every trai
led straight to heaven. Ell this preache
up the creek is that kind. don't want /
hear him, an he won't do the rest of 70
any coed"
"Aw-'he that's not against us on on
part, you Know" suggested Hoxford.
MAN is 'gainst AS that goes round BELT
tim his Maker" exclaimed the SOUR,
bringing down his long handled show,
with a savage chop, as if the offending doc
triue had taken on material form, and Ia
helpless at his feet.
"The worlds full of sinners and the
oughln't to be coddled-thev ought TO
taught that God is just, an holy an immu
table, an
.Aw--loving, and mereiful. and long su
fering, said Hoxford. coming quickly
the assistance Of the squire. as that goo
man htsiiatcd while he racked his memor
fer some divine attributes which were 10 b
own taste.
They don't need 10 be told that sin
wrong, continued the squire. shrewdl
regardless OF Hoxiosd's untimelv aid, ..bs
they need 10 feel that they've iusulted ii
dignity Of Gods law-that they're IN ~
snl danger-that God is angry with Il
wicked every day
..Aw--and that L will have mercy an
no, sacrifice you know said Hoxsor
nud-ing the squire SUCCESSFULLY with b
elbow. The squire dropped his eyes for
moment, upon seeing hich, goddess you
inpls red feel TO tell him if the squire W
giving in: '.Eriar had bet three TO one
the squire, an he'd Ike to get the hang
the dod goaned thing" Bat the squi
quickly treasured Bri. r by exclaimiag.-
ssGod looks not upon ain with the least 4