The Arkansaw traveler., 1884-11-29
CHAPTER II.


 the grove near the ford. During the night, rude pulpit had been constructed. The people sat on blankets and shawls spread on the ground. The strange man appeared, riding his white horse. A dry leaf fiuttered from his hair. He had slept in the woods. He ascended the pulpit and gave out familiar hymn. As the weird melody arose, those who had made humorous comments on the preachers appearance, seemed to feel ashamed, for, throwing aside levity, they joined in the singing. When the hymn was concluded, the ardent stranger of- fered fervent prayer. Old man Parker, whispering to Ben Hardin, said:
 He peers to be all right, don't he P
 @Yas, but wait tell he gets down to preachin'," Ben replied. "He's goin' to drap the bible an take up suthin' else, you know"
 That's a fact, and that's whar our roads fork"
 am Pe1oid the First" said the preacher, spreading his manuscript on the rough board in front of him. My business, though this will strike you as wild assertion, is to save a part of the world. You inhabit that part of the world. Can curiosity with its expectant stare; can that belief brought about by years of teaching can even the hallowed precepts handed down from old 6resides of almost holy devotion cause you to lsok with coldness on a man who has severed the dearest ties on earth-parted from loving wife and the glorious faces of little ones-I say, can anything cause you to look with the eye of coldness on a man who makes such a sacrifice for your sake-for the sake of pointing out to you the true path to joyous eternity?"
 Taking up his manuscript, he read several paragraphs, slightly altered from the bible. He explained that the original text of the bible had been repealed, and cited the recent version of the New Testa- ment as an evidence that the most ortho- dox men found reason for change. His version was re-ver.ion, approved by the courts, not of churches, but of the heavenly tribunal Then he began to pour out a stream of impassioned elo- quence. The crowd swayed to the wild motion of his arms. His hair seemed to be heavily charged with electricity, and sometimes, upoa suddenly turning, the long, streaming ends would pop like a whip. Emotional women shouted; men moved to action raised their arms and crowded their way toward the speaker. The preacher suddenly concluded. No one was prepared for such drop. "We will meet again tonight" were the last words the preacher said as he descended from ehe pulpit. In an effort to escape all greeting, he hurried to his horse and rode away.
 ~Waat do you think of that p asked MT. Webley, a well-known farmeg, ad- dressing old man Parker.
 don't know what to think" the old man replied. "I never was so tuck up an shuok in my life. Beats any sesnon I ever heard. Our circuit rider couldn't tech him with ten fcot pole"
 "I never have hearn the like" re- joined Webley. Everything he said has zaigAGily the sound Of squar' dec trine."
 Don't <, though ?" said Ben Hardin. He's jest a huckleberry above the pss- simnon O any maA eve< seed open his mouth. Says he's been app'insed to save this pazt O the country. The maa that can save Ark&0saw is a goad Fun, let me tell yoa. Reckon you'n al be out b. night"
 The crowd at night was greater than that which had previously assembled, and, if possible, che preacher was more eloquent. Tallov candles and brush- wood fires lighted up the grove. It was fantastic scene. The minister, just be- fore leaving the palpit, said: "i would like to meet those men who have been deeply interested in my remarks. If there be such men in the congregation, they will please remain, but I reqaest that no one ssay through curiosity. My hzx<inese is earnestD
 Some fifteen or twenty a-sn remained. Webley, old man Parker, Ben Hardin, the two young Ashiords and Alex. Hay wood were among the number. Others, equally as earnest would hked to have remained, but thsy were afraid of the ridicule which might possibly follow. It vas nearly daylight when the council vas dissolved. Gathered around . fire upon which logs had been thrown, the n n