Mower County transcript., 1889-11-13

over ROCKS big enough ter build q
mount'n e. high ez Bon Air hitse'f. ]
be 9 fool, . fool ter how done it .
Christmas day in Bear Cove was fair
enough. and cold enough and but for
the the excitement occasioned by the pros.
pect OF the parsons fiery sermon.
would, "a all probability, have been
dull enough.
Under The cliffs grea, columns Of ice
rose like crystal pillars aglow with the
reflected radiance OF the sun. On
bluffs tringed with crystals, crown
Of dainty wintergreen Haunted its
crimson berries in the very fuce Of
winter. Where the remnants OF the
last snowfall lay upon the ground, the
snowbirds hoped nimbly about in
some kind of a Christmas revel, known
only to themselves.
But Parson Lyle was blind to all the
beauties OF creation as he rode down
the lane toward the little log meeting
house. where his coming was anxiously
awaited. There was a hush when he
entered. A hush. moro OF curiosity,
perhaps, than of respect M.
Old 81 Larkins sat stii and staring
just IN front Of the tall pulpit. His
brows were contracted. and q half
sneer was perceptible upon his face
when the parson entered. But when
the very young man with the very old,
care-worn face arose behind the pull
pit. and began the hymn, the old man. g
dercepess vanished. Where was all
the ''game" that had been reportedp
This was no 'tightin' upstart." hut a
man of God. 81 Larkins thought with
self-scorn of the bundle of switches
hidden away in the wild plum thicket,
that were to mete out vengeance for
that days sermon.
Sermone There wasn't any sermon;
only calm little talk about life, its
Go slow!" Go slow over the rough
places" was the burden of the dis
course that rang a friendly warning to
the hot-hearted people travelling llfe's
uncertain highway. As he tossed the
wntchward to them, lifted it like a
danger signal before them the burden
of anger and doubt and sorrow rolled
fl ON his own heart. and he stood be.
fore them once more with q soul
above the petty worries of life. They
caught his meaning and understood,
and realized the mad gallop they were
having.
'GO slow over the rough places. ~
That was all of the wonderful sermon
that was to have been as fire and sword
to them.
He had feared for his reputation; fol
how could they know that it required
more courage for him to stand before
them and wave that simple olive
branch than would have been required
to meet them in an open hand-to. hanG
fight. He thought they must brand
him forever as a coward afraid to stanC
by his boast. He felt so sure of it, in
deed. that he would have stolen ou
where his horse was hitchel. and hur
ried home at once, but for the invit..
tion to the .thichet.
Knowing perfectly what the invita-
ton meant. and caring but little fo
the result. he walked calmly out from
the building and went over to where
Pete Larkins was talking with I. crowt
of men. He stepped into tie miIst o
them and confronted Pete. ''Broth r..
he said. Il be here ter accept NV vel
lnvertation."
Pete teddened; the others grinnct
and moved away.
The man gin the word" sait
Pete. ''ez l war ter fetcn yer long o
me-"
Here be-" was the submissive
reply, and Pee led the way t., " ,ore
the horses were writing. They mount
ed their horses. and as Pete. still lead
ing, turned into the big road toward S
1.arkins' house, and away from the
thicket, the preacher checked hi.
horse. ''Brother." he said. ''the
thicket air ter the left"
Pete paused.
1.-The old man lowed it war too col
fur a picnic." lie said. 80 the enter
tainmint hev b,,en changed toa CHRIST
mas dinner. An they-uns are wait u
fur you ter come an AK tho bic e>sin'
Their air ter be no duncin'. but--lOok
out ther, parson! Go slow over the
rough places" @@ @@
Pete laughed aloud as the preachers
horse stumb. ed among the ROOFS. s.
Thanks to P;,rson Prater's watch
word. the Boar Cove Church q .rret
was forever ended. Allen Dron-
goole, in Youths Companion. "
Ona.l uUuad law.Makar3