The Columbia herald. [volume] (Columbia, Tenn.) 18??-1935, 1892-05-27
twas on board a train between Wheel

1t was on board train between Wheel
ing and Pittsburg the other day that
heard Il sad tale. 1t was told to me by
a refined Kentucky gentleman who was
selling ballot boxes under the Australian
system. He said that he could also pro-
vide voters when it was desired. He
said that nothing for years had called
forth so much genuine ingenuity as the
Australian ballot system, not only on the
part of those who wish to defeat its oper-
ations and effects, but on the part Of
those who wish to make the successful
ballot box booth, etc, so as to be the Of
fetal manufacturers of voting furniture.
He told me of IA Swiss gentleman from
Tell City, Ind, who has perfected port
able booth, ballot box, guard rail, rope
and six chairs, all of which fold up into
a space 81 inches thick, and the package
does not look larger than good sized
atlas.
This gentleman was attending church
a few weeks ago when the shrill cry OF
fire burst forth on the street of the vii
lage. The pastor had been unusually
interesting in his talk and unusually
strong in his vigorous attacks, especially
upon gambling, drinking and the desc
Grafton of the Lords day. Every one
was greatly interested, for the pastors
heart was in the work and his burning
words were listened to with rapt atten-
ton, for his language was as powerful
as it could be without violation of cleri-
cal etiquette and the statutes in such
case made and provided.
Fire, however, had broken out in the
nd in
midst of his eloquent and fearless battle
against these vices he broke off suddenly
to aid in saving property. He formed d
bucket brigade, and aided by the -four
other pastors, who had also FASTENED tc
the scene, a line of pals soon extended
from the nearest pump to the ladder
running up the side of the building.
For hours the good man fought the
flames without ever pausing for breath
The hook and ladder company did the
swearing while he carried water. They
| pulled down ivy vines, ate hotel pie
filed the air with ilnprecations and evel
and anon rolled up their sleeves to see II
their muscles had grown any since they
last examined them.
Finally, seeing that the hotel could
| not be saved, and that little cottage
near it was threatened, the pastor said
"Let us save this little home at least.
| Put blankets on the roof and keep them
wetted. Work with a will, boys, and
we may save this little cot even though
the hotel perish.
Finally, after hours of struggle in the
| choking smoke and heat and discourage
ment, the flames died down and, sur
rounded by ruin and wreck, the little
house stood by itself safe and unscathed.
The pastor went in to see if everything
still remained unframed and to receive
| the thanks of the occupants. There was
no one there, but on the table, face
down, were four unusually good hands,
running all the way from the straight
to the bobtail flush, while in the center
of the table stood the tempting jackpot,
and near by, OH sideboard, tall re-
ceptacle with willow environments con-
tanning spirits, arranged and dramatized
by a gentleman named Pepper.
The cottage was what is called in that
country Speak Easy"
A Speak Easy is not moral place.
The pastor put on his coat and princess
vest and went home, and as he went
some one heard him say: Whose is
simple, let him turn in hither. He that
reproveth a scorner getteth to himself
shame, and he that rebuketh wicked
man getteth himself blot"