The Redwood gazette. [volume] (Redwood Falls, Minn.) 1873-1940, 1877-05-17

for a partnership, and on this occasion
while there were present in the room
Rover, Powell, q Mr.. Carr, Mr.. Westfall
and another man whose name is unknown,
Higgins created some CONSERVATION bv
boiling the door and advancing ON the per.
sons present with threatening gestures.
Their fears, however, were speedily al
lsyed, for drawing from his pocket q
piethOric pocket book, he laid 1t on the
counter and, slapping it with his hand,
said:
81 now propose to preach to you SER
mon on Christianity; but, unlike the ordi-
nary run of ministers, I do not believe in
the principle that the congregation should
pay their preacher. believe that the
preacher should pay his congregation for
listening to him, and in proof of my sim
cerity I shall pay to each of you who
listens to me continuously for one hour
the sum of ten dollars" The demented
man here emphasized his sincerity by TAX
ing a roll of bills from his pocket book
and placing them on the counter. The
congregation seemed pleased with the
plan, and rested quietly in their seats to
earn the ten dollars. The speaker cleared
his throat and commenced by warning
them that they were all ON the sure road
to perdition, still he had hopes of saving
them. He then descanted on the many
sinful practices of the present generation,
and gradually worked himself up into q
fever of religious enthusiasm.
After the imprOmptu preacher had been
speaking some thirty minutes one of the
congregation grew tired. and yawningly
signified his intention of retiring and for.
feiting his chance of both spiritual and
monetary reward. This appeared to
greatly incense the demented man, who
sharply replied:
"Ah, I see ten dollars is not enough
to keep your sinful attention. Then, be.
hold, l make it 500 man."
The individual who yawned here
brushed himself up and said that he
guessed he would stand it. Twenty min
utes more of indignant denunciation of
sin, and another of the congregation gave
it up and quietly slipped out Of the door.
When Higgins discovered his absence, he
became exceedingly angry, saying:
"This is battle with Satan, but shall
win. One hundred dollars, see, is not
enough. Here is $500 for each man who
continues to listen," and the speaker
counted out four rolls of $500 each.
The congregation now grew interested,
and for long time the unfortunate man
continued his exhortations uninterrupt.
edly, but at last, while he was in the
midst of vivid description Of paradise,
another sinner made his escape. He
looked around on his thinned audience,
and with smile remarked:
Every good. Then it shall be $500 to
each man." and he separated the money
into three piles of $500 each.
This seemed to satisfy the congregation,
and the preacher continued for two hours
longer. At the end of that time another
detection took place through the office
door, leaving the demented man with
Rover and Powell his only auditors, who
were pretty we'll worn out. The speaker,
however, appeared as fresh as when be
had begun, and he Immediately proceeded
to encourage his remaining hearers by
separating the money into two piles of
81, OOOeach, which he promised them at the
end Of his sermon.
Powell settled himself on the sofa and
shouted "Go ahead" while Rover pulled
his hat over his eyes and leaned his feet
on the window sill, apparently determined
to see it out. 1t was now near mid.
night. and the wearied auditors looked
significantly at the small quantity of oil
IN the lamp.
Gradually the light grew DINNER, and
the Pickering glare told of speedy enc
of the misery; but the insane man wa.
not to be thus thwartcd, for, when at las
the lamp ceased to burn, he gathered uI
old newspapers, and, placing them on tn
stove, set them nm fro. The congregation
grew frantic and demonstrated, but tn
preacher was firm.
"Your souls must be saved" he said
"no matter what the cost"
As he spoke he clutched handful o
| greenbacks, one of which could be dis
| tinctly seen to be of the denomination o
$500, and before his astonished compan
| ions could interpose, he had set them OF
fire. They were speedily consumed.
"Now," he continued, 1--WE are read.
for Heaven"
Lying at the further end of the cOunte
were two table-knives, somewhat dull
but still dangerous weapons in the hand
of desperate man. The lunatic spice
them as he spoke the words, and in q mo
ment they were In his hands. The dyin!
! glimmer of the burning paper threw
chastity light on the terrible scene. Tn
madman's eyes glared wildly about him
| He was in dead earnest. Both men wer,
unarmed. To rush upon him was dealt
at least to one. Escape was cut of, as tn
willy mailman stood with his back to tn
door while he grated the blades togethe
sharpening them for the combat.
Rove: seized chair and converted
into shield, while Powell lost no tim
n getting behind the sofa.
Are you ready?" came in ghostl!
undertOne from the mailman. The mel