Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1883-05-05
srULKITTLE'S BOY.

Mr.. Mulkittle, 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.. Muikit.le
decided to comply, especially as the
farmer, in his communication, had added:
awe have some fust-rate pigs which
will give you won to bake if you come"
After much persuasion and thousand
promises Mr.. Mulkittle agreed that his
boy might accompany him.
It had been arranged that services
should bs held after dinner, and Mr.. Null
kittle, after having received an introduce
ton to every member of the family,
walked out into the woods TO draw from
budding nature 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 for themes upon which to build.
That corn ought to be planted this
next week." said the father to the son,
"for the season is comm along"
SIS that the kind of corn the apostles
went through ?" asked the boy.
81 reckon it isl replied the old man,
who was not very we'll posted on ancient
agriculture.
"when they went through the corn an
rubbed off the ears, the corn could hear,
couldn't it?"
"Sorter think it could, but am leetle
shaky on such pints myself"
"Was solomon Il good man:'
''Sorter got my doubts about him bein'
good, but he had Il powerful chance Of
sense"
"Was Jonah goods"
''Im leetle shaky on his record" and
the farmer, an evident descendent of the
squatter family, grinned with extreme
satisfaction"
"Ilaye you got sword?'
"No, but have got the rattlin'est six
shooter YOU ever seem"
''Do you try to do what the Bible says
you mus:'"
eyes, make mighty stagger in that
direction"
"Well, why don't you sell your shirt
and get L sword?"
"Cause don't need sword and the
shirt comes in mighty handy"
''But the Bible says if you amt got a
sword Won must sell your shirt and get
one. Why don't you do it?'
"'Cause don't want to-"
"Why don't you want to?"
CANT got no use for the sword"
"Why haven't you:"
"'Cause amt
"why have you amt"
Great sprouts of sassafras an high
water, youngster, can't keep up with
YOU. | bowed my row for a while, and
chopped down weeds like the old boy, but
blamed if L don't pass. Silvy," turning
to his wife, shave dinner on time, and if
the preacher axes for me when he comes
back, tell him I'm hangin' round some
whar.'
Shortly afterward Mr.. Mulkittle came
and dinner was announced, but the old
farmer had gone so far away that they
had to blow horn for him.
When the old man arrived he gave in
structions to his sons that while the dinner
was i'm process of destruction they should
90 over and sweep out the church. The
"mcetin' house" is a very small establish
ment of worship, with low roofand pole
rafters. While the boys were at work one
Of them noticed wasp nest on the rafter
lust over the rude table which served as a
pulpit, and behind which many man had
stood and hurled halleluah defiance at
the awful embodiment of sin. Bill, one
of the boys, suggested plan for amuse-
ment, and, cautiously climbing up, he tied
n Irvine string around the nest, passed the
string under the rafter and carried it
across the room, passed it under bench
and tied it 10 a nail.
The church was crowded. Young Null
kittle, invited by the boys, took seat
with them. The city preacher arose aud
began his sermon. The congregation lis
tened with breathless attention.
"See that ar string?" asked Bill Of
young Mulkittle, pointing to the nail.
"well, if you pull that you'll catch
fish,
"Where will the fish come FROM"
"He'll come outen the pond out yonder
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 a fish, but he had his doubts as to
the practicability of Bills suggestion, but
he could see no harm in the experiment.
Mr.. Mulkittle was lifting his voice in Is
kind of glorifed shout that in town he
would not have attempted. The boy pulled
the string and the wasp nest fell.
eyes" exclaimed the preacher, "stand-
ing there in the wilderness, John lifted
up his voice and said-what the devil is
this" Zip, zip. "What's the Internal
whoo" and he hoped over the benches.
An old bald headed brother, who had been
deeply interested, rushed forward through
the panic. Zip! He clapped his hands on
his head, squatted and squa.led. Old Mrs.
Popney set up howl and "broke" for the
woods, while Miss Bigley ran away,
jumping over the bushes like deer.
1t was not long until Mulkittle and his
boy were riding rapidly toward home.