The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1889-12-20
VOL. XII RISING SUN, CECIL COUNTY. MD, FRIDAY DEC

iietl to fight
Three days Later he came aga;'l.
This time they were ready for him
slippery Sam Digger was the spokesman
for the crowd This yer town." sale
Sam, lis Four Hole City. We are the
gang as lives yer in Four Hole City
We don't want 10 preachin', and -
- we won't 1--we none of itl'
The parson was thoughtful for a few
seconds, weighing the matter delibe
rately, and then quietly announced that
there would be meeting, and that if Sam
didn't like it he'd have to move.
Then they hitched Itdidn't last long
Sam was carried off on one of the
benches, and the parson took his posi-
ton at the outdoor pulpit as quietly rs il
nothing had happened.
"Owin' ter the racket" said the par
son, "they won't be nothin' this evenin
but the benediction. Hereafter they
won't be no racket, an reg'lar services
will be held"
Then he pronounced the benediction
upon as orderly and appreciative con
gregation as ever faced preacher.
Then he rode off leisurely, just as he
did before, without ever once looking
behind him.
After that, as the parson had predict
ed, there was no disturbance at the meet
ings. The parson soon became an estab-
lished and very important institution.
He knew that country like a book, and
every mine in it, and his advice was re-
liable. His influence had on more than
one occasion prevented bloodshed In
many ways the parson made himself
popular and a power for good. Some
how or other they had learned that his
name was Josh, but even this informa-
tion was rarely made use of. and he was
simply "the parson.
Four Hole City was slowly but surely
undergoing change.
1t was becoming civilized.
The first step was taken. The parson
had led them.
One afternoon, year or SO after the
parson appeared first in Four Hole City
eighteen or twenty men. covered with
dust and riding iaded horses, rode into
town with prisoner. That prisoner was
the parson.
"Missakel Mistakel Mistake!" said the
citizens.
No, itwasn't a mistake. That was Red
Murphy, murderer and horse thief.
"Proof" demanded the citizens.
Plenty of proof The horse he was tied
to was one he had stolen.
The citizens were obliged to believe it.
The parson said nothing in answer to
questions, and seemed as Indifferent of
danger as the horse he was riding.
His legs were unstrapped, and he was
taken from the horse. The rope was put
around his neck and thrown over limb.
"Wanter pray?' he was asked.
He looked doubtful for moment,
"Unbind my hands," said he. "There
are enough of you - - to eat me.
Let me pray with my hands loose"
In consideration of the good he had
done, the request was granted, though
there was some objection. His own un-
concern was another consideration in
granting the request He seemed re-
signed to his fate, they noticed. 1t
couldn't do any harm.
The parson raised his hands, his face
turned upward
81 have done some good" he said,
slowly. IAN some bad l have stole
some horses, but l never took the last
'un from po' man. have killed some
men, but done it far. All l want, o
Lord, is squar' deal in this. kin lick
eny two in this crowd-eny three They
know it,
The parson stopped suddenly, knife
in his hands.
In another instant the rope around his
knees was loosed, and then at his feet,
and he was fairly in the saddle and
started before shot was fired.
The parson was off-pursuit was out
of the question. They fired recklessly,
and he escaped unhurt.
They watched him then until he and
his horse were speck on the horizon.
"Red Murphy's luck" growled one of
the men, as he turned to his horse.
Good fer our parson," grinned Slip'ry
Sam.-Glen Waters in Atlanta Constitu-
ton.