The home journal. (Winchester, Tenn.) 1858-188?, 1875-08-26

NlnHlIK ~ |
stirred themselves to help the sufferer.
Pentocost passed n bottle OF brandy
over the counter half a dozen men ran
10 the spring for cold water Others
hastily tore off coats and even shirts,
with which 10 soften q bench for the
wounded man. No one went for the
doctor, for that worthy had been view.
inp the fight professionally from the
lrst, and had knelt beside the wounded
man at exactly the right moment
brief examination he gave his
opinion in the following professional
Ono go, Billy; you're done
"Good God - exclaimed the Judge,
who had watched the doctor with breath,
less interest, "ain't Their no chance 2
mary" replied the doctor, decd
eddy,
dTm q ruined man-I'm a used-up
said the Judge, with Il look OF
bitter anguish. 81 wish I'd gone under,
too" -.
"Easy, old hoss," suggested n OF
the boys "you didn't DO him. yer
know" -,
"Thats what's the matter p roared
the Judge, Bavagely "nobodyll ever
know which OF us whipped"
And the Judge e~orrowfully took him
self off, declining most resolutcly to
drink.
Many hearts we're full Of sympathy
for the Judge; but the poor fellow on the
bench seemed 70 need most Just then,
He had asked for some n who could
write, and was debating, in whispers, a
letter TO some person. Then he drank
some brandy, and some water; then
he freely acquitted the Judge OF having
ever fought any way but fairly. But
still his mind seemed burdened. FL
nally, in a yerythin, weak voice, he STAN
mercd out: 81 don't want to makc-to
make it uncomiortable-for-for any
oi-yOu ~fellers, butts ther' IA
preacher in the camp?'
The boys looked at each other inQnlr-
ingly men from every calling used to
20 to the mines, and no n would have
been surprised if a back.sliding priest,
or even bishop, had stepped to the front.
But none appeared, aud tho wounded
man, after looking despairingly from
one TO another, gave n s%mothered cry
go God hez II miserable wretch got
to cut himself open, an then flicker ont,
without anybody to say a prayer Tor
him :"
The boys looked gorrowful-if gold
dust could have brought prayers Billy
would have had II llrst.class assortment
in m instant.
"There's Deacon Adams over to Pat
tins" suggested a ~bystander, san they
do say he's Il regular rip-roarer atprayln'!
But 'twould take four hours to go an
fetch him."
"Too long" said the doctor.
"Down in Mexico, at the Cathedral, "
said another, "they pray for n Teller
after he's dead, when yer pay EN- for it,
and they say it's just the t%hing-sure
pop. I'll give yer my word, Billy, an no
90 back, that I'll see the jobs done up in
style fur yer, ef that's any comfort"
"I want to hear it myself" groaned
the sufferer; 81 don't feel right cant
nobody pray-nobody in the crowd? ?"
Again the boys looked inquiringIy at
each other, but this time it was a little
shyly. If he had asked for some n to
go out and steal n mule, or kill n bear,
or gallop a buck jumping mustang to
FRISCO, they would have fought for the
chance, but praying praying was en-
tirely ont Of their line.
Tho silence became painful soon
slouchod hats were hauled down over
moist eyes, and shirt.sleeves and bare
arms seemed to find something unusual
to attend to in the boys faces. Big
Brooks commenced to blubber aloud,
and was led out by old Thompson, who
wanted n chance to get out-of-doors so
he might break down in private. FL
nally matters were brought to n crisis
by, "Mose"-no one knew his other
name. Nose uncovered IL sandy head,
face and beard, and remarked:
81 don't want to put on airs in this
hero crowd, but, Of nobody else ken say
n word to the Lord about Billy Bent,
I'm a.goin' to do it myself. It's n
bizness I've never bin in, but there's
like tryin'. This meetin' II
come to order to wunst."
CHATS off in church, gentlemen p
commanded Pentecost.
Of came every hat, and some of the
boys knelt down, as Nose knelt beside
the bench and said
go Lord, here's Billy Bent needs
tendin' tot He's PANIED out his Inst
dust, an he seems to hev n purity clear
idee that this is his last chance. He
wants you to give him n lift, Lord, an
it's the opinion of this house tibet he
needs it. faint none nv our bizness
what he's done, an ef it wuz, you'd
know more about it than we cud tell
yer; but it's mighty sartin that n cuss
that's been in the diggins for years
needs a sight of mendin' up before he
kicks the bucket"
"That's So" rcioined two or three
emphatically.
"Billy's down, Lord, an no decent
man b'leeves that the Lord nd hit a
man when he's down, so he's got to be
let alone, ur he's got to be helped.
Lettin' him alone won't do him ur any
body else emmy good, 30 helpin's the
holt, m, rs emmy n NV lis tough fellers
would help him if we knew how to, it's
only fair to s'pose the Lordll do it a
mighty sight quicker, Now, what Billy
needs ia to see the thing in tibet light,
an you kin make him do it n good deal
better than we ken. It's mighty little
"