Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1888-04-21


whip, came forward as they entered,
"Hullo !" he cried, as he saw Signor
Rinaldo, where in blue blazes have We
ben ?''
Ben SICK" said the boy desperately.
/ am sick-too sick ter ride. Let me off
ter night"
"Sick,s snarled the ringmaster Drunk
more likely. Look alive now, an git
ready to ride. PHI settle with We later.
Who's your friend ?" staring at the Deacon.
He's been awful good ter me,n said the
boy, "an' We jest treat him decent, will
yer~
To be sure" answered the ringmaster.
!" Come on, old cove,D and before the Dea-
con could realize anything he was hustled
out into the big tent, filled from top to
bottom with the citizens of Durkeyville
and people from the country round for
twenty miles.
For an instant he stood as though para
! lyzed. Like lightning the thought of his
terribly false position flashed through his
mind. But while he stood irresolute, not
knowing which way to turn, the Master of
Ceremonies strobe into the ring and
shouted
Ladies and gentlemen, l have the
honor to present to you now the world
famous-the great and only Signor Rim
aldo ROndinelli, the greatest bareback
rider of the day, who will perform his
wonderful and unparalleled acts"
There was burst OF music, the curtains
were swung aside, and winter than the
prancing horse he rode, in velvet, spangles
| and tights, came the Deacon's protege.
Crash, bang went the band. The clowns
shrill laughter echoed through the tent.
The ringmaster fourished and cracked his
whip. Twice around the ring the horse
madly galloped, then-that slight, waver-
ing figure slipped from his back, and went
down in the dirt and the sawdust like a
log.
There was great cutlery and confusion.
People sprang from their seats and shouted
all sorts of directions. Two athletic fell
lows leaped lightly into the ring, lifted
the rider and carried him without the cur
tain, followed by the horse walking slowly
with dropping head, as if he understood
what had happened, the clown, the ring
master-and the Deacon.
The latter pushed his way in and saw
| Signor Rinaldo lying on the ground appar.
emily lifeless. Once more that long, gaunt
hand was flung out, as if asking help.
Cit upw said the ringmaster, kicking
| the PROSTATE form. "Git up, or I'll he
never finished the sentence, for blow from
the Deacon's fist like the stroke of a sledge
hammer, laid him low.
Then a frightful hubbub arose. Four
or five men fell upon Signor Rinaldo's pro-
tector
At that moment the old Adam in the
Deacon broke forth. Remember, it had
been bottled up for many years He knew
no law of boxing or parrying, but he struck
out from the shoulder Unfortunately
right and left. His ponderous fists struck
the skulls of his assailants with resembling
cracks. He swept them before him as ten
pins fall before skilled bowler, and, like
a whirlwind, he swooped down upon the
unconscious boy, lifted him in his strong
arms, burst through the astonished group,
and was gone.
For weeks Signor Rinaldo lowered be-
tween life and death in the old farm
house. The Deacon and Aunt Betsy took
turns in watching and nursing him, while
he talked incoherently of horses, rings,
hoops, fences and horizontal bars. AT
times his language was anything but
| choice, and not infrequently his room rang
with curses so cold-blooded and outrageous
that the good couple who tended him
shuddered with horror. However, the
| crisis was safely passed, and the patient
began to mend. lie was grateful. and
looked up to the Deacon as one little
lower than the angels. 1t was the good
| mans custom to have prayers each even
ing IN the great kitchen. Signor Rinaldo
used to lie and listen soberly to these de-
votions. One night after the Deacon had
finished prayers, his patient suddenly
spoke:
Dekin, wot was de song yer sang dat
day yer came across me in der lot?"
My favorite hymn, my SON. There
is fountain filed with blood"
There was a silence for a moment, then
Signor Rinaldo said timidly:
I'd like fustrate to hear it agin"
The Deacon threw back his head, closed
his eyes and sang with great enjoyment.
The sick boy listened with attention, and
when he had finished simply said:
DENIS nice words. Pm much obliged"
After that there seemed to be tacit un-
derstanding between them that the Deacon
should conclude his evening services with
this old hymn, and one day he heard Sig
NOT hlnaluO trying 10 mum:
and there may I, though vile as he,
Wash all my sins away"
He stole to his wife and said:
Blessed be God, Betsy-that air hain't
so Sunny ground as | thought Jest think
on it-that poor crittur tryin' to sing that
hymn"
Meanwhile there were vexatious times
among the brethren. 1t was generally con-
coded that the Deacon had backslidden and
fallen from grace. 1t was decided that
steps of labor should be taken with him,
and with this aim, the Elder-a long, lank,
solemn-yisaged man-Deacon Tokey, and
one or two other bright and shining lights,
| called upon him.
We have come on a mournful errand,
| brother" began Deacon Tokey ave
with We for goin' TO that air ungawdly
circus, an fer a-gittin' into that unseemly
brawl. We feel we can't set under the
droppin's of the sanctuary with We onless
suthins DONE"
You understand, Deacon added the
Elder, folding his hands as though about
to take TO his coffin, you understand that
we can't have no blemish on the garments
of the spouse OF the lamb. The line must
be sharply drawn between the Lords an
no;nted and sinners. Your motive may
have been well enough, but consider your
example to the youth of this community.
feel for you, and have this proposition to
make: If you viii send away that ennis
| sary of Satan you are now harboring, no
! further steps shall be taken in this lament
able affair"
! Through the door, accidentally left aiar,
Signor Rinaldo heard this conversation
| He raised himself on his elbow and listened
| for the Deacon's answer.
Brethren, We can do as seems best for
the good of the cause, but as for turnin'
that poor, onfortrnit critter out of ny
house. the good Lord knows shan't
never do no sech cruel thing as that
never"
| He spoke quietly but firmly, and after
some further urging by his inquisitors, the
interview came TO an end.
| An hour later the Deacon went to see
how his patient was faring. Sign0r Ri
naldo was lying with his face to the wall,
and when he turned at the sound of his
visitors voice his eyes were full of tears,
/ o,J ba e.,,J 1911 "a.