Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1891-02-28
J @ II N T @ D D .
BRIDEGROOM AND BURGLAR.
From the Rrookiyn Citizen.

strength His head was large and firmly set
his forehead low and broad. his face oval, hi
nose straight and somewhat wide ct the nostrils
his mouth large. with red. prominent lips, anC
his chin square and sharply cut His faxer
hair hung close to his neck in heavy curls, anS
his cheeks were ruddy. He had pleasan
way with him and soon became a fsvorite will
old Redman's customers. Redmsn. you mus
know. was the grocer of the town, and John
his only sisters son, mad come TO learn tho
business and be company for the childless ole
vidower.
John Todd was an industrious youth ane
soon proved q great help to his uncle Ole
Redman was deacon of a church and was held
In high esteem ~ a man Of gifts. He was the
life and soul Of a revival. and could e1hort fol
o longer time and in louder voice than any
deacon within twenty miles. He was likewise
powerful in prayer and could always revive q
tagging hymn with a few well-directed tones
that seemed to drive on the time and rouse
the congregation like q sudden breeze
sends the slowly drifting craft through
the water and changes the dull swell
into crested pillows. Though the deacon wal
pleased with his nephew's industry and general
conduct, yet one thing sally grieved him
The boy went to church regularly on the
Lords day but did not seem to take that in
would have desired. He never went to Sunday
school or prayer meeting. but instead walked
through the woods and lanes, sometimes alone,
sometimes with companion or two, running,
leaping, vaulting, lifting and hurting heavy
weights, and developing into an athlete.
Things went on this way until he passed bis
nineteenth year. when there was a great re-
hgious awakening in Chidley. The Rev. Gideon
Thrasher, a celebrated revivalist. was the
preacher. He was a powerfully made man Of
middle height, with muscles of iron and tongue
Of fame. He seemed to NOW down SINNERS
with the breath of his nostrils. He was at homo
in the whirlxind and was never SO happy AZ
when penitent wrecks were strevn around him.
One night John Todd went to meeting and sat
far back on bench under the side gallery. The
discourse was terrific and numbers went for
ward TO the altar. John listened attentively
and watched the work go on Presently the
preacher announced his intention of going
through the congregation and personally urg-
ing the uncouvsrted TO GO TO the front and seek
religion Seeing the bright face ard sturdy
form of John far away back and recognizing
him as the nephew of pious Deacon Redman
the preacher made straight for him and urged
him to join the bard of seekers. John declined
his invitation and told him that when he felt Ike
Joining the churcE he would iDin, and not before.
Deacon Hedman seeing Brothe. Gideon talking
with his nephew, rejoicei greatly IN spirit and
stood upon bench TO have a better view of
the promised work Of grace. Just then the
preacher put his arms around John though
to raise him bodily. Johns brow grew knit
and his face flushed At Iirst he Eel: as though
he would resist tine man Of God personally with
muscle and limb, but he was a modest youth
vithsl and not fond of scene. and. therefore
chose instead to cling with foot and hand to the
bench. Brother Gideon gave a ting and the
deacon could not refrain from aiding with word
of mouth. So, raising his hands. he cried aloud
"Hellelujahi Go into the highways and hedges
and cor1pel them 10 come in r'f
Reused and invigorated by this clarion note
the preacher gave mighty shout, THE sword
of the Lord and of Gideonr' Then he put his
strength Unto the work and amid the deep
silence which followed his outcry was heard
the wrenching and ripping and tearing and
splintering of wood, accompanied by heavy
breathing. followed by the shutting of the
preachers feet as he slid slowly into the aisle
bearing in his arms the sturdy youth. who still
chung 20 the fragments of the shattered bench
Tins, with all eyes on the spot. the preacher
cried: lis not this brand plucked from the
burning?' And, in tones that startled even
his nephew, the deacon shouted, Stand still
and see the salvation of God"
Now, it came to pass just at this moment that
the point OF an offensive rail penetrated Johns
flesh and irritated him sorelv: so that letting
go the fragments of the bench, he dropped to
the toor, the preacher. meanwhile, clinging to
him. Finding that John had ceased 10 resist
Brother Gideon released him except that he
TO lead him down the aisle to the altar The
old Adam, however, was now thoroughly aroused
in John Todd, and, just as Brother Gideon
lifted up his voice and shouted 1.-THE
Lord caststh down that He may lift up" John
drove his right foot with much power against
the heels of tie preacher. And. 10. his feet dew
into the air and his neither part struck the floor
with thud that shook the sacred edifice. Then
amid great outcry and commotion chiefly
among the sisters, John Todd walked back TO
where ne had been sitting, picked his hat from
the floor and departed.
For six months after this event Deacon Red
man never spoke to his nephew except when
business required. As for John, he went about
his work as usual, but he forsook his uncle a
place of worship, and attached himself TO a
small Episcopal church instead. This was a
great blow TO the pious deacon. but he made no
sign. Things went on thus. John still spending
all his leisure, which was not much,
In lanes and woods, developing limb
and muscle, growing broad-shouldered,
deep-cnesred and long-winded looking
like young athlete and giving evi-
deuce Of a mighty reserve of strength Out in
the woods OF a Sunday Ut holiday. lie shouted
and sang and gamboled around with his com
panions, brinafal Of joyous life and good nature.
fou may be sure that many n pretty girl
glanced with admiring eyes upon the tall and
staivart youth, but up TO this time he was heart
free, though he was not insensibie to the at
fractions Of the gentler sex.
One OF Deacon Redmans customers was Phil
Henshaw, who kept groggery at the Other
end Of the town. He was a man of loose char
acter and had been in state prison, il vas boldly
said, for highway robbery. One dsy Hen.hsw
entered tbs deacon's store and spoke eruttly.
accusing the deacon of having supplied him
with inferior tobacco and cigars. The deacon
said the articles were good for the price
and exactly the same as Henshaw had pre-
viousiy praised Henshaw gave the deacon the
lie, whereupon the deacon. going to bis desk in
the sitting room behind the store, brought out
his oid-isshioned tin money box. counted out
~. and Placing them before Henshaw, said:
"Pnllip Henshaw. there's the money YOU paid
me for the last order. Take il aud 20 and
want no more ofyOur custom
Grasping the notes. Henshaw hurled them
wrathfully IN the deseons face. saying, You
thief?'
''others do. IL I don't" the deacon rep,,ss
quietly; vhereupon Henshaw uttered an OATH
and stamped toward the end OF the counter.
with the evlIent intention Of attacking the old
man Before he could turn round the counter
John Todd was upon him, and. seizing him
from behind. pinioned his arms at the elbows.
turned him with hif face toward the door. arr,
rushing him OUT to the edge OF the curb gave
him final push which Sent him spra Wiling into
the middle of the street. Glariu., arU;:rd like
q stricken Wild beast Henshaw gathered him
self together and rushed at John Todd. Tbs
young man stood with head thrown back and
arms supple and feet firmly planted awaiting
the attack.
As Hensl.aw flung himself forward. the vouno
man wsr,ly received the assault and wardeS
On the blows. Seeing Henshaw fumbling in his
pocket es though Tor a knife John srrauv
upon MIN and gave him a royal pumncling.
leaving him prone in the gutter. Then john
Ioia stood IN the doorway until Henshay
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