Waterbury evening Democrat., 1891-07-10


 1 as an aisle in company with Rosewood | Jim, this latter gentleman carrying a4new and giant Bible which he placed On tine dry goods box. Tapping gently tl the box for order. Rosewood then addressed the muc .ius briefly.
 "This yere is a public meeting of tho camp" said Rosewood, "aui I am asked by Dave to preside, which accordin' do. No one need make any mistake about this | we're gatherin' or it's purpose on account of my presence. This yere is 8 religious | meetin'. I aln not, myself, given that | away, but I am alters glad to meet people what is and see that they have a chance in for their ante and their game is pro l tected.
 am one of those too, who believes a little religion wouldn't hurt this camp l much. Next to lynchin', don know of more excellent influence in a Western camp | than these yePe meetin'S. Iain't expectin' | to be in on this play none myself and jest set here in the name of order and for the I purpose of square deal. now introduce | to you gentleman who is liable to be as | good preacher as ever banged Bible | your townsman, Short Creek Dave.' "Mr. President" said Short Creek Dave, | turning to Rosewood.
 | "Short Creek Dave" said Rosewood Jim sententiously, at the same time lowing | gravely in recognition.
 And ladies and gentlemen of Cinnabar," continued Dave, II shall open this yere | play with a prayer"
 | The prayer proceeded It was fervent 1 and earnest and replete with unique ex- | pression and personal a1lusiOn. In these | last the congregation took breathless | interest. Toward the close Dave bent his energies in supplication for the regenera- | tion of Bill Tut, whom he represented in | his prisons as good man. but living mis- 1 guided and vicious life. The audience were | listening with grave and approving at- tention, when, at this juncture, came an interruption. It was Bill Tut, who arose | and addressed the chair. | MT. President" said Tut uneasily, II 1 rise to pint of order"
 | "Ihe gent will state his pint" responded l Rosewood, at the same time rapping | gently on the drygoods box. | Well, said Tutt drawing long breath, l "1 objects to Dave a-tacklin' of me and a. l maxim of statements which aims to show I'm nuthin' more'n felon. This yere talk 1 is liable to queer me, an objects to it." Is Prayer is a free-for- all game and thar ain't no limit onto it," said Rosewood. "The Chair, therefore, decides agin the 1 pint of order"
 l "Well then," says Tut, "a-wavin' of the 1 usual appeal to the house, all I've got to l say is this: I'm peaceful man and have l alters been the friend of Short Creek Dave, 1 and even assists and promotes this yere l meetin'. But l gives notice yere now, if | Dave keeps on a-malignin' of me as here- | tofore, I'll shore call on him to make them statements good with his gun as soon as | the coDtreebution box is passed" | "The Chair informs the gent" said l Rosewood with vast dignity, that Dave
 bein' now evangelist, can't make no gun 1 plays nor go canterin' out to shoot as of a
 former day. However, the Chair reeog-
 nizes the rights of the gentleman, and l standin', as the Chair does, in the position
 of lookout to this yere game the Chair
 will be ready to back the play with @ 1 Colts 45' as soon as ever church is out in l person.
 "Mr. President" said Dave, "jist let me
 got word in yere. I've looked up things
 little in the Bible, and finds that Peter,
 who was one of the main guys of them
 days, scrupled not to fight. Now, follers
 Peters lead in this. With all due respect
 to that excellent apostle, he ain't got none
 the best of me. l might add, too, that
 while it gives me pain to be obliged to
 shoot up Deacon Tut in the first half of
 the first meetin' we holds in Cinnabar,
 still the path of dooty is clar, and I shall shorely walk tharin, fearin' nuthin'. l
 tharfore moves we adjourn ten minutes, ! and as thar's plenty of moon outside, if
 the Chair will lend me it's gun-I not pack l in sech frivolities no more, a regardin' of
 'em in the light of sinful bluffs-I shall l trust to Providence to convince Bill Tut
 know my business and that he's way eff | In this matter"
 "Unless objection is heard, this yere
 meeting will stand adjourned for fiftee n
 minutes" said Rosewood, at the same time l passing his six-shooter to Dave.
 l Thirty paceS were stepped off and the | men stood up in the moonlit street while
 the congregation made a line of admira-
 tion on the sidewalk.
 II counts one, two, three and drops my hat" said Rosewood, "whereupon you all
 fires and advances at will. Be you all
 ready?"
 The shooting began on the word and when the smoke cleared away Tut had a bullet in his shoulder.
 "The congregation will now take its
 seats in the store," said Rosewood, "an6
 the deal will be resoomed. Two of you al
 carry Bill over to the hotel and fix hin
 up all right. This yere shows concloosive | that Short Creek Dave is licensed iron ! above to pray for whoever he pleases
 and I'm mighty glad it occurs. It's shore ! ly goin' to promote public confidence 1T , his ministrations."
 ! The concourse was duly in it's seati 7 1 when Dave again reached the pulpit. q will now resoome my intercessions for our unfortunate brother Bill Tut, f | said Dave, and he did.
 This was Cinnabar's first preaching, al I ! belt it has had many more since, unde T the instruction of the excellent Rev. Dave s On this first occasion he preached an earn e est sermon, the dance hall girls sang . Rock of Ages," with spirit and effect ant
 the wounded Tut sent over five dollars t , l the contribution box from the hotel wher , l he lay with his wound.
 ! 1T knowed he would," said Rosewoo' - Jim as he received Tutt's contribution n "Bill Tut is a reasonable man and yo1 t can gamble religious truths alters asser 1 themselves."-Da Quin in Pittsburg Dis
 patch.
 @ The Australian Tree-Weu.