The Arkansaw traveler., 1888-03-31
Just as the new arriyal g D.

| terence. Just as the new afr1Val 8p- peared on the scene, the younger com- batant got in nasty blow, which evil dently hurt and irritated his oppo- nent. Quick as lightning the big fell low drew his bowie knife and raised it preparatory to plunging it into the lad.
 "Hands off, you bully 1" shouted the stranger in the doorway. The burly fighter glanced rapidly in the direc- ton from whence these words came, but did not drop the hand which gripped the ugly knife.
 'Drop that knifew thundered the stranger, at the same time laying his hand upon his pistol-pocket.
 The bully noticed the last named action, and letting go the boy, yelled, with added oaths; "Curse you, shut upl Who are you, anyhow?" The large man was evidently very angry. He held the knife in his left hand, and with his right drew heavy revolver, which he proceeded to level at the stranger.
 "Throw up your hands, quick '" shouted the latter. But the fellow did not hear this warning. Click {! went the hammers of the pistols. It was question of quarter seconds now. Bang went one revolver-the stranger's-and the big man fell dead.
 Then there was momentary si- lence, followed by some queer ejacula- tions: "Dead as Injin w-"Sarved him right l"-"Stranger's a plucky un v-"Be-ewtiful shot "-"Who air you, stranger, anyhow?"
 "Boys," said the new arrival, when at last he had chance to speak, "this is sort of business that I am not fond of. Sometimes it is necessary, though, as it was tonight. am sorry but let's say no more about it. I pay the funeral expenses and answer all ques- tions. You want to know who l am? We'll, Pm a preacher; and there'll be preaching in this room, with the landlords permission, next Sunday morning at ten o'clock"
 It was strange introduction for 8 preacher, but it was perhaps the best one he could have had in that wild place. Any way, the respect of those rough miners was lastingly secured, and from that time on he grew in fa- vor as a man and preacher.
 In those old coach days there was one serious draw back to travelling be- tween Denver and George Washington Gulch-the road was infested by small but hitherto invincible band of desperadoes, under the leadership of a regular dare devil known as 'Kansas." This man Kansas had attacked and robbed the coaches fifteen or eighteen times within six months; and though he had never been known to be ac- companied by more than three con- federates, his band was the terror of the stage drivers and the passengers. Once the proprietors of the stage line had organized posse of armed men, who secured the country in search of Kansas and his crew; but the outlaw remained at large, and within week frightened coach of seven thousand dollars worth of silver ingots.
 Late in the evening of & summer day, when, with the exception of party of gamblers at the Sample Rooms" all the citizens of the Gulch were soundly sleeping, solitary horseman rode up to the unpreten- tious shanty which did duty for parsonage. It was nothing but two-roomed hut, rudely constructed and roughly furnished. On this oc- casion the "parsonage" was in sole charge of An Wing, "heathen Chi | xuh hn onfo6 l., and chambermaid. An Wing was himself, perchance, in some China mans paradise, for his sleepy features. usually utterly void of expression, were illumined by a yellow smile. The parson was off, as he frequently was, on trip down the valley, and the parsonage being we'll removed from the main portion of the settlement, was seldom visited during his absence. The dreaming celestial was therefore much surprised and indeed frightened, when he was awakened from his slum- Der by 8 violent hammering at the barred door. He cautiously drew back the wooden bolt, and peered out into the warm, starlit night. Close to the door he beheld a stalwart man, with long black hair and heavy moustache, holding in one hand the bridle of large horse, while on his left arm he carried a girl-evidently dead or in fainting condition.
 "Where is the parson2" asked the stranger in a firm but quiet voice. "Parson Jim he go way muchee :; he no come home till Sunday" replied the surprised Chinaman.
 "Well, hold my horse, land hold him tight. This young woman's very sick, and Pm going to lay her on the par sons bed"
 He entered the room, and tenderly laid his burden on the camp cot which