The Manchester journal. [volume] (Manchester, Vt.) 1861-current, 1893-08-03
COWBOYS COLLECTION.

1t wss Snndsy. The little church bell
had summoned the congregation 70 morn.
ing service, though fec lets CON err
we're burrying towards the OF nsecrsted
spot. The Sabbath WAS observed and 70.
spectsd by I'll The residents Of the town
excepting Jan Gebhsrlt. This citizen,
despite the plesdiugs and psrsussions Of
the little psrson and different members Of
the church, refused 10 close his saloon on
Sunday, for upon this day he usually real
lizsd bis biggest profits. R.
Msny laborers from the surroundios
ranches, FERNS and mines spent their Sab
baths and weeks wages at Gebhsr1 r1t's tsv'
ern, and the passing traveller was sure to
rest thers over night II he arrived on Snni
day, and this was OF course. another
source OF revenue for the proprietor.
This morning Jan was standing Ut the
door plscidly smoking bis pipe and look
ing away toward the mountains with q
self satisfied expression. The beauty
OF the landscape before him might have
awakened the soul OF poet or an artist,
but Jan WAS not OF 3 sensitive, emotional
disposition. The scene presented TO his
phlsg gmstic mind simply earth, vegetation
srd sir, while 10 the clear, propitious
weA,her he disceroed slore the promise Of
entended patronage.
Aa be ste Cd thus. wrapped in pleasant
snticipstions, he heard 9 faint, low. stea.
dy numbling ss il Of distant thunder He
1ooked up quickly. There were no clouds
in the sky. What could IL mean? II WAS
gradually becoming louder and moro dis
tinct, aud seemed to issue from . large
guleh OF pass TO the west Jan took the
pipe fron his mouth and iistened.g Sud-
denly shout accomplished by the report
ot . pumber OF revolvers. startled the
echoes fer and near. and there issued from
the euloh black mass, which shortly re
solved itself ioto bodyof horsemso bear.
ing down toward the town. Jan watched
them lszily, thinking Of the money be
would be able to realize from them.
Nearer aud nearer souuded the clAtteri
ing OF the horses hoofs. sntil Jan could
almot hear each sepersfe fcotfsll. and
they slowed sad stopped out.
side bis door. Smiling and decking his
head. he wished the visitors good morn
log and invited them in. They accepted
bis invitation aud we're soon standing aDd
sitting shout The bar room, while the OBJ.
sequious Jan served them with drink.
One OF them burly fellow. asked him
for certsin kind Of liquor. and after the
keeper Of ,hs tavern hsd taken it from the
Ihelf and turned shout. his smile was
] suddeply trsusformsd 10 look nl horror.
Tor be found seversl revolvsfs ievelled at
him
Dutchy. said one fellow, don't you know
you're dei ecrstin' the best day OF the
week by ksepi0' yer ssloou openi
wslI, how can belp Il, gentiemen2 It's
the be.t day for busines.
Business or no business, old man, you've
|. o. to reform. We're the Salvation Army
We are, and don't yon forget IL. ltt
Fetch down them bottles from thst
shelf. shouted the cowboy. t4 d.
The trembling Jan obeyed. Now, thee.
said this strange svensing angel, set EN-
up across the room; every ones . bulfs
eye. if% wnfBNfI1
Jan hesitsted, but the revolvers com.
pslIsd obedisnce. Bsfore the cslvscads
moved on be had been obliged 10 see the
OF . large part OF his wAres,
and the unfortunsts man sss left stand
Ing amid confusion OF broken kegs, neck
less bottles. and pool, Of wines and liquors
wnesing. bis hiods sud ciling dosn
m msleiiofious a. on his prosecutors, who
we're nos co timing their mad career
down the street.
TIE cowboys soon came 10 sight OF tue
little church standing 10 q lot Surrounded
by rough picket fence. while . ies
small poplar trees seemed eDdesyoring
to csaa hule sbsde shout ths building.
The .seet meloiy o. one Of the old
hymns fpsied out to them and they un
consciously paused and listened. and
~h.n Il ees.ed rode on 70 the gstassy. 4
Now Tor some fun boTs, said Billy,
srsceinl. lhhs yonog man with miscbis
vcus bfopn eyes. as be reigned mp bis
horse, yon ielloss Just Illow Spot snd
ysgi ere son eihins iGur sting.
spt shj bad beeu spokesnan =, the
saloon, urged bis borse forwsri snd they
.io.iy role irt3 the ard spd TO the door
Of the cLnrch.
As The pastor vas gath ring Ter the
eulnins,ion OF has prayer. the leader
turned te bis companions, sed ssii in IN