The Arkansaw traveler., 1883-10-13

4This is nice piece O business. list about the way that po' Bill Peckley done, and l couldn't save him."
 Old man Buman groaned aloud.
 now understand said the young man, why father did not wan, me to be apreacher. It was no doub, his intention to make an outlaw of me-
 The old man did not reply
 Il know what the penalty is,' con. tinued the young man. ." know that i, is death to discover such a secret. but come to bring life. You may call me a fanatic, and !, may be that am, bu, come to bring peace. You all believe in an eternal hell-you know you do You are all old men, and you know that the time is near at hand when you will be summoned to answer for your misdeeds But there is yet time for repentence, fol the little child that once walked on the earth and the Man who walked on the sea-He who gave his life for you. has 10, deserted you, even in this dark hour."
 None of us murdered my brother said Peckley. |, was in another neigh borhood, an by other fellows, an We couldn't help it."
 Il don, think that any of you would murder me, for come not as an avenger but as one to assist in making the grave place of soft repose.
 How dat man do talk said old kintchin, helper Makes me feel like l oughter be a; prar dis mint, Oh Lawd, le, dis heah cup pass away rum de sin scorched lips ob dis DO nigger."
 Hush,,' demanded one of the men. "ouit your mowln'. We want'er hear what the feller's got to say.'
 The disappointments and failures oi this life" continued Dan, "teach US ,ha, the creation of man would be vold of an object were t not for the life to come We are all weak. and we mus, all ask for strength. Let us pray"
 They all knelt. \ gloomy, weird picture. The smoking torches. the hard featured men, with blackened faces. the dismal surroundings. all made a scene impressive and eer;e.
 Dan prayed earnestly. He ilnplored the Great Ruler ofthe universe to wash the souls of his friends and to teach them the way af everlasting peace.
 Bless dat Lawd up dar now" sup plieated kintchin. s.Toie dis nigger many time what's right. ba, de nisge, ain, got no sens-.'
 The young preacher spoke of the dis grace that would fall upon the com muniiy.
 "Nes. an Lawd" continued old Kintchin. think ob de bad bread an de spilled mea, at de peni,en,iary. Oh, knows Lawd, case i'se been dar.'
 When the preacher said amen,' and arose, he talked long and earnestly Tears s,reamed down the faces of the men, and old kintchin rocked himself and called on the Lord to witness his vow that he would be good man. and return all the stolen meat at that time in his house.
 Finally the young man said: You must all stop this. You mus, surrender yourselves to the authorities and ask for the governments parden.'
 The men hnally agreed. and silently they Jeff :he dis,illery which for years the revenue officers had tried in vain to dis cover.
 The next day they went to the United States judge and surrendered themselves. The judge was much moved by the young mans recital. and allowed the dis tillers to remain in comfortable quarters until the pardon came.
 Poke Easy and Miss Flute were mar ried shortly afterwards, and now every Sunday they may be seen riding the circuit.