The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1883-04-19
MULKIrTLE's BOY
And How He directed the Visiting
40. Preacher.

| Preacher.
ArkanIaW Trareter.
A farmer who lives in the Flat Rock
neighborhood. a religious community no,
far from Little Rock, wrote TO the Rev
Mr.. Mulkitue, the other day, requesting
that, at his earliest convenience. he should
visit the Flat Rock neighborhood and
preach telling sermon in the Anticipated
log church Of that locality Mr.. Mulkittle
decided to comply, especially as the farmer,
In his communication, had added: 1--WE
have sum fustrate pigs which l will give
you won to bake II you come"
Alter much persuasion and thousand
promises Dir. Mulkittle agreed that the boy
might accompany him.
Ithad been arranged that services should
be held after dinner, and MIR. Mulkittle,
alter having received an introduction to
every member Of the family, walked out
into the woods 10 draw from budding ma
ture the inspiring flow OF soothing words
which carry hope to the hearts and souls
OF men. The boy, who had been quiet, no
sooner found himself, by courtesy, master,
than he began to look around fer themes
upon which to build.
''rhat corn ought to be planted this next
week." said the father to the Son, 'for the
season is comm along"
els that the kind OF corn the apostles
went through" asked the boy.
81 reckon 1t i" replied the old man, who
WAS not very we'll posted on ancient agri-
culture.
"when they went through the corn an
rubbed off the ears, the corn couldn't hear,
could III"
wall, l don't know. Don't pear to me
the corn could hear nohow."
"But II 1t had ears to hear, it could hear,
couldn't it?p
"sorter think 1t could, but am leetle
shaky on such p'nts, myself"
"Was Solomon good mani"
"Sorter got my doubts about him bein'
good, but he had powerful chance Of
sense" ,sy.
"Was Jonah gool?'
"l'm leetle shaky on his record" and
the farmer, an evident descendant Of the
sqna,ttr family, grinned with extreme sat
isfaction.
Have you got sword?'
"No, but l have got the rat'lin'est SIX
shooter you ever seen."
do yon try to do what the Bible says
you must%
ayes, l make mighty stagger in that
direction"
swell, why don't you sell your shirt and
get sword2"
"Cause don't need sword and the
shirt comes in mighty handy"
"But the Bible says II you amt got a
sword you must sell your shirt and get one.
Why don'tyou do it,"
"Cause ! don't want to-"
"Why don't you want TOT"
"Ain't got no use for the sword"
"Why haven't your"
"Cause l amt"
"Why have you ANTI" -.
"Great sprouts OF sassairas an high
water, youngster, can't keep up with you.
hoed my row for a while, and chopped
down weeds like the old boy, but blamed
III don't pass. "Silyy," turning to his
wife, shave dinner on time, an II the
preacher axes for me when he comes back,
tell him Pm hapgin' round somewhar."
Shortly afterward Mr.. Mulkittle came
and dinner was announced, but the old
farmer had gone so far away that they had
10 blow horn for him.
When the old man arrived he gave in
structiops 10 his sons that while the dinner
was In progress OF destruction they should
10 over and sweep out the church. The
"meetin' house" Is a very small establish
ment Of worship. with low roof and pole
raiters. While the boys were at work one
Of them noticed a wasp nest on the ratter
lust over the rude table which served as a
pulpit, and behind which many man had
stood and hurled hallelujahed defiance at
the awful embodiment Of sin. Bill, one OF
the boys, suggested plan Tor amusement,
and, cautiously climbing up, he tied a
twine string around the nest, passed the
string under the .raiter and carried II across
the room, passed it under q bench and
tied 1t TO nail.
The church was crowded. Young Mul.
kittle, invited by the boys, took seat with
them. The city preacher arose and began
issermon. The congregation listened with
breathless attention.
"See that ar string" asked Bill Of young
Mulkittle, pointing to the nail. swell, |!
you pull that you'll catch a fish,"
where will the fish come from 2"
"He'll come outen the pond out yondeI
an flop on this bench"
"Will he bite?"
"No; he'll lay right still an you can take
him home with you. Pull the string, and
Bill moved away. Mulkittle took hold Of
the string and looked at his father. He
wanted fish, but he had his doubts as 10
the practicability OF Bills suggestion, but
he could see no harm In the experiment
Mr.. Mulkittle was lifting his voice in q kind
OF gloriied shout that In town he would
not have attempted. The boy pulled the
string and the warp nest fell.
ayes" exclaimed the preacher, stand.
ing there In the wilderness, John lifted up
bis voice and said what the devil Is this!'
Zip, zip. whats the iniernal-whoo!''
and he hopped over the benches. An old
bald headed brother, who had been deeply
interested; rushed forward through the
panic. Zlpl He clappsd his hands on his
head, squatted and squalled. Old Mrs.
Popney set up howl and "broke" for the
woods, while Miss Bigley ran away, jump
ing over the bushes like deer.
II was not long until Mulkittle and BID
boy were riding rapidly toward home. The
preachers face looked like corn6eld
pumpkin. He did not suspect the child.
When he reached home his vile eyed him
and asked him what was the matter. A
fly came across the room and the preacher
"ducked" his head and replied: "Don't
question me; don't look at me; but give me
wet blanket