St. Landry democrat., 1890-05-17
take care Of himself, and not too sancti
ffp1 IN fipht

take care OF NmScli, ana Not 100 eaiiIei-
fed to fight.
Three days later he came again.
This time they were ready for him.
Slippery Sam Digger was the spokesman
for the crowd. This yer town." said
Sam, sis Four Hole City. We are the
gang as lives yer in Four Hole City.
We don't want no preachin', and --
we won't have none Of it!'
The parson was thoughtful for few
seconds, weighing the matter deibe-
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. ltdidn'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 az if
nothing had happened
OWN ter the racket" said the par
son, they won't be nothin' this evenin
but the benedicton. Hereafter they
won't he no racket. an regular services
will be held
Then he pronol.uced the beneliction
upon as orderly and appreciative con-
gregation as ever faced a preacher.
Then he rode off leisurely, just as he
did before, without ever once looking
behind him.
After that, as the psrson had predict
ed, there was no disturbance at the meet
iugs. The parson soon became an estab-
lished and very important institution.
He knew that country like IA 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 .,arson made himself
popular and q power for good. Some
how or other they had learned that his
name was Josh, but even this informa-
ton was rarely made use of, and he was
simply ''tlio parson.'
Four Hole City was slowly but surely
undergoing n change.
1t was becoming civilized.
The first step was taken. The rarson
had led them.
One afternoon, a year OF 50 after the
parson appeared first i'll Four Hole City,
eighteen or twenty men. covered with
dust and riding jaded horses, rode into
town with prisoner. That prisoner was
the parson.
Mistake. Mistake! Mistaken said the
citizens.
No, itwasnt a mistake. That was Red
Murphy, murderer and horse thief
Proof demanded tho citizens.
Plenty Of proof. The horse he was tied
to was one he had stolen.
The citizens were obliged 10 believe it.
The parson said nothing in answer TO
questions, and seemed RS 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 overa limb
''Wanter pray no was asked
He looked doubtful for Il 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 I'M
concern was another consideration in
granting the request. He seemed re-
signed to his fate. they noticed II
couldn't do any harm.
The parson raised his hands, his face
turned upward.
Il have done some good" he said.
slowly, can some bad. have stole
some horses, but | never took the last
'un from q po man. ! have killed some
men, but done it far. All want. 0
Lord, is a squar deal in this. kin lick
eny two in this crowd-eny three They
know it
The parson stopped suddenly, Il 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 a shot was fired.
The parson was oif-plrsuit vas out |
Of the question. They fired recklessly, |
and he escaped unhurt.
They watched him then until he and |
his horse were a speck on the horizon
Red Murphy's luck, growled one of
the men, as he turned to his horse.
Good fer our parson,' srinned Slipry
Sam. Waters in Atlanta Constitu-
ton.