Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1884-03-18

patch to the Governor of the State, he will
identify me as the Rev. Mr.. Mulklttle, OF
St. Simon Church
"The next station is Hickory Flat" re-
piled the officer, ''an' we will tillygrat
from thar. Ef your name is what you say
it is, you may go.''
The train soon reached the station, and
the minister, followed by crowd, sought
the telegraph Office.
"How will this do ?" said Mr.. Mulkittle,
Have arrested man for one Nick Payton.
Says that his name is the Rev. Mr.. Mulkit-
tie. Do you know him?' Now" continu-
ed the minister, ''sign your name to this
and send it,
The officer, thoroughly satisfied with the
arrangement, affixed his signature and
handed the message to the operator. A
few moments afterward the dispatch was
received in Little Rock as follows:
"Have arrested man for Nick PayGon.
Says that his name is Robt. Mulkittle. Do
you know him? %
| Mr.. Mullxittle waited impatiently but
confidently. After awhile the operator
announced that the dispatch was at hand,
and then.he wrote the following:
''Don't know the man, but think he is
wanted here. Hold him until officers from
here arrive"
| Mr.. Mulkittle groaned and sank upon a
bench. The crowd gathered aronnd and
commented on his appearance.
"Bad lookin' man." said old Driver, the
blacksmith. 'Dangerouseye, an mighty
bad MOUTH
"Wouldn't trust him ten steps," said old
Morgan: "Whar's old Gregg an his dar-
ter? Tbey can identify him."
A 20 t1,a
young lady who had been so shamefully
treated. When the girl saw Mr.. Mulkittle,
she screamed and threw her arms around
him.
ooh, Nick, don't try to disguise your
self. Oh, WHY did you run away from me !?
Promise that you will marry me now.
'Look out, miss; look OUT" gasped Mr..
Mulkittle, trying to shove her away. "You
are certainly very improper young wo-
man. Don't make yourself so ridiculous. I
never saw you before"
"You kaint say that and tell the TRUTH"
said old Gregg. "You've changed your
self around little, but you air the same
man. don't so much mind the board bill
he owes me, gentlemen, but I'll be blamed
eft any man shall tamper with the 'fections,
of that gal thar A tender-hearted critter
as ever lived, she is, an this man has pizen-
ed her life. She won't never be happy
without him, an AK you all eff you air
goin' to let man come into the communi-
ty an destroy the happiness Of likely gal
l wanter know eff yer won't see this wrong
righted? I ak eff yer won't all jine in an
make him marry the heart-broken gal?'
Here the girl pressed Mr.. Mulkittle's
head against her excited self and wept over
him. ''Look out, young woman" he ex-
claimed, freeing himself. 81 never saw
such an improper person. Gentlemen, l
have wife and three children at home,
which, aside from the fact that I never saw
the bold young woman before, much less
made overtures to her, would place me be-
yond any possible matrimonial alliance"
"He's tellin' lie,'' shouted old Gregg,
| 'fur he told us he WAS widower. Go
fetch the license. somebody, an we II make
him marry, no matter eft the Governor does
want him.
''Gentlemen," implored the minister,
do not act in manner so rash"
'I'n git the license" exclaimed old
Gregg, and he started off at trot. He
soon returned with the papers ard cir
cult rider. ''Take yer place thar said
the old man.
The girl seized Mr.. Mulkittle and at
tempted to drag him.
''Great God! this won't do. Confound
the telegraph wires; there must have been
terrible mistake. Give me one more
chance, gentlemen. Send one more dis
patch"
They agreed, and he wrote:
| Governor, am arrested here by mis-
take for man named Nick Payton.
Please say who I am Mulk:ttle."
In a few minutes the reply came:
"First dispatch received wrong. Mulkit-
tie is one of our best-known preachers.
Liberate him at once.'
''That settles it, said the officers. ''You
ken go.''
"Oh, ye generation of vipers," said the
minister, as he stood on the rear platform
OF train which fortunately came along.
81 have prayed for the worlds redemption,
but shall ever make an exception Of this
internal place. Oh, ye generation of vi
persp-Arkansaw Irapeller.