The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1875-05-22

ing professional style: "No go, Billy
you're done for
"Good Godl' exclaimed the Judge
who had watched the doctor with breath
less interest; "ain Their no chance2'
Mary" replied the doctor, decidedly
"Im d ruined man-Im q used-ul
cuss." said the Judge, with look Of bit.
ter anguish. II wish I'd gone under
too
Easy, old boss, suggested one of the
boys; you didn't do him. yer know
That's what's the matter" roared
the Judge savagely; "Nobody'll ever
know which Of us whipped
And the Judge sorrowfully took him
self OF, declining most resolutely to
drink.
Many hearts were full of sympathy
Tor the Judge; but the poor fellow on the
bench seemed to need most just then.
lie had asked for some one who could
write, and was debating. in whispers, a
letter TO some person. Then he drank
some brandy, and then some water;
then he freely acquitted the Judge of
having ever fought any other way but
fairly. But still his mind seemed bur-
dened Finally, in very thin, weak
voice, he stammered out; II don't want
10 make-to make it uncomfortable
for-for any of-you fellers. but-but-
is tner' "a preacher in the camp?
The boys looked at each other inqulr-
ingly; men from every calling used to
go to the mines, and no one would have
been surprised if backsliding priest, or
even bishop, had stepped TO the front.
But none appeared, and the wounded
man. after looking despairingly from one
to another gave II smothered cry.
"Oh, God, hes miserable wretch got
to cut elfopen, an then tlickered out
without anybody to say prayer for
him.
The boys looked sorrowfully-if gold
dust could have bought prayers, Billy
would have had first class assortment
in an instant
There's Deacon Adams over TO Pat
tins suggested a bystander, AN they do
say he's "a reg lar rp-roarer at payin' !!
But 'twOuld take four hours to go and
fetch him.
TOO long" said the doctor.
"Down in Mexico, ut the Cathedral,
said another, "they pray for teller after
hes dead, when yer pay 'em for it, an
they say it's jist the thing-surc pop.
| III give yer my word. Billy, an no 20
back, that III see the jobs done up III
style fer yer, cf that's any comfort
IL want to hear it myself groancd
the sufferer; 81 don't feel right; cant
nobody pray-nobody in the crowd?'
Again the boys looked inquiringly at
each other, but this time it was little
shylv. If he had asked for some one 10
20 out and steal mule, or kill bear
or gallop buck-jumping mustang to
Frisco, they would have fought for the
chance, praying-praying was entirely
out OF their line.
The silence became painful: soon
slouched 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 chance
to yet out-of-doors so he might
break down in private. Finally the
matters came to crises by "Mosc
no one knew his other name. Nose
uncovered sandy head, face, and beard,
and remarked:
IL don't want to put on airs IN this
here crowd, but eff nobody else kin say II
word to the Lord about Billy Bent, I'm
a-eoin' to do it myself It's II business
I've never bin in, but theirs nothin' like
irwin. This meetn' II cum to order to
wunSt.'
"Hats off in church, gentlemen com
mandcd Pentecost.
or came every hat, and some of the
! bows knelt down, rs Nose knclt beside
the bench and said:
80 Lold, here's Billy Bent needs ten
din to! He's PANIED out his last dust,
an he seems to hcv Il purity clear idee
tibet this is his last chance. He wants you
to give him lift, Lord, an its the
opinion of the house tibet he needs IT,
faint none NV our bizness what he's
done. an eff it WIZ, you'd know more
about it then we cud tell yer, but it's
mighty sartin that Il cuss that's been in
the diggins fur years leeds sight OF
mendn up before l- kicks the bucket.
That's so, responded two or three very
emphatically.
"Billys down, Lord, an no decent
man b'icrvcs that the Lord 'ud hit a
man wher he's down, so there's one NV
two things got to be done-either he's
rot to be let alone, ur he's got to be
helped. Lettin' him alone won't do
him ur anybody else emmy good, so help
ms the holt, an as emmy one NV us
tough fcllers would help him eff we knew
! how to, it's only fare to spose tibet the
Lord II do it mighty sight quicker
Now. what Billy needs is TO see the
thing in tibet light, an you ken make
him do it good deal better then we ken.
It's mighty little fur the Lori to do,
but its meat an drink an clothes to Billy
lust now. When We wuz boys sum Nv
u read some promises ef yOur'n in tibet
book tibet was writ good spell ago by
chaps in the old country, an though
Sunday School teachers and preachers
mixed the matter up in our minds, an
got us all tangle-footed, we know they re
thar, an, You'll know what we mean.
Now, Lord, Billy's jest the boy-he's II
hard case 50 you cant find no better
stuff TO work on-he's in a bad ilx, tibet
we can't do nuthln' fur, so its jest yer
chance. He amt exactly the chap to
make an 4 Number One angel eff, but
he amt the man to forget friend, so
he'll be handy Teller to hev aroun'.'
"Feel any better, Billy?' said Nose
stopping the PRAYER for moment
"A little" said Billy feebly, 'but You
want to tell the whole yarn. I'm sorry
for all the wrong I've done"
Hes sorry fur all his deviltry, Lord
-
"An' l amt got nothin' agin the
Judge continued the sufferer.
- = l.. L.. Lnn- NJ, IN q licn min the