The Arkansaw traveler., 1884-07-19

peculiar girl, he thought. Once by acci- dent he was enabled to get good look at her eyes They were beautiful.
 When he arrived at the church, tum- ble down log house which bore snspio- ious marks ofhaving been distillery, he did not feel a joyous thrill-the ful6llment of hope that bright faces would greet him. There were few bright faces. Even the children looked old and carewon. There were no demonstrations ofwelcome at the approach of the preacher. The men sat in groups under the trees. When the preacher entered the house the men followed him. They sat in un- concern, except the younger attendants, who, despite threatening looks from their mothers, giggled, and then engaging in those sly glances, which between boys un- der restraint is fatal to gravity, they would snort and laugh until the tears of vexation ran down their mothers sallow cheeks. Woman is the main support of the church. No matter how long it has been since she heard the sound of the gospel, and no matter how entangled her husband may be in the trammel net of unbelief, the hymn and the prayer, the low amen" of sanction coming from some old man who has not long to live, revive within her soul that glowing hope, hope with whose help she can turn from the death bed of her child, clasp her hands and smile through the tears of a sublime faith.
 Brother McBrail," said old Peter Moley, arising, it don't pear to me like thar's any use in preachin' to this con- gregation until we go around with sap lin an larrup the devilment out e these youngsters. We aint hearn a sermon in SO long that we are hongry fur it, an to be interrupted this way is like somebody snatchin' blackberry pie away from ye when ye are powerful pie hongry."
 With an effort the preacher mastered his embarrassment and replied:
 ]" hope that those young men will ob- serve better order. Their fathers, it seems to me, should appreciate the posi- ton into which have been drawn. l can see that this disturbance is mainly due to one young man. If he cannot show respect, request that he withdraw from the house"
 "Do you mean me% exclaimed burley Nick Shoals, arising.
 "Yes, mean you"
 Well, parson, ye needn't cut no fancy scallops round me. My old man ain't here, an if he was, he couldn't make me knock under. came here to have my fun, did"
 And came hither to preach, young man."
 "Well, then, fire away"
 "I cannot preach if l am to be con- stantly interrupted"
 "Tell us somethin' that we wanter hear. Tell us funny story"
 "I do not think that a christian is called upon to suffer such indignities. am forbearing, but sir" looking steadily at burley Nick, if am interrupted by you again, shall deem it pleasant duty to step down from this box that serves as a pulpit and hammer you until you can't cross your suspenders without paia."
 The men laughed. A chance for fun had come.
 "Do you mean to threaten me P ex- claimed Nick.
 "You have doubtless placed the cor rect estimate on my words"
 Well, parson, am here an any time ye feel like transactin' a lively piece of business, wy, jes come on."
 The preacher removed his coat, stepped down and approached the young man, who had squared himself in preparation. Before Nick realized that the preacher was within reached, he received blow between the eyes. Recovering himself, he attempted to seine McBrail, but was knocked sprawling on the floor. The preacher did not wait for him to arise, but seizing long strip of board that had been used as bench back, he proceeded to belabor the fallen sinner. The people shouted. Nick cried loudly for mercy, but every time he attempted to arise, he was promptly knocked down. Finally, after swearing that he would behave him. self, he was allowed to resume his seat. There was no more giggling. The young men became thoughtfully atten- tive, and Nick, with a concern which seemed to have been born of good insen- ton, kept his eyes on the preacher. The sermon was a great success, and when the benediction had been pronounced,