The progressive farmer. [volume] (Winston, N.C.) 1886-1904, 1893-08-22

1 WY up N~A w.
the shouts he emitted, which were sup
posed to be the prayers for the saliva
ton of the souls of sinful brethren-at
least so Billy surmised, as he watched
him with an amused smile.
AS the pastor was gathering for the
elimination of his prayer, the leader
turned to his companions, and said in
an undertone, "Now, then" and their
horses hoofs resounded on the wooden
floor of the church. The startled con,
~gregation, rising with OF e accord, be
held Spot, the cowboy, riding solemnly
up the aisle, followed by his compan-
ions.
Don't be alarmed, ladies n gentle
men. We're only come t. join in the ser
vices, en- ill trouble you t. sit still till
they're over" said Spot, with a smile
manufactured for the occasion, as the
people seemed inclined to depart rather
precipitously. Seeing themselves thus
at the mercy of the cowboys, they
were obliged to resume their seats, al
most overcome by fear and a%pprehen-
sion.
An as fer you, parson," said Spot,
pointing his revolver at the trembling
man, don't stand there ~snivelin'.
You're a purity kind er shepherd! I'll
bet there amt one in tn flock as big a
coward as you, n yet you think you
kin buy off tn Lord by shoutin' n
pretendin' t. save souls a heap better
n yourn. I'll give you sompin' t. do
in earnest. amt had no n to pray
fer me since I was a little kid at my
mammy's knee. You jis' git down on
yer knees n pray fer me now"
The parson hesitated, threw up his
hands, and rolled up his eyes in depre-
cation.
There, parson, don't take on like a
fool about it, but git down t business,
or I'll give you a lift t a better land, a
service I'd no doubt thank me fer"
The little man did not seem quite
ready TO depart for a better land, so
covered by Spots revolver, he was
obliged to sink on his knees and begin
his prayer.
Lord" he prayed, in a ~quivering
voice, 20 ~Lord-forgive and protect
this poor sinner"
'See here, now I don't want you
givin' tn Lord no mistaken impression
bout me. You tell Him about tn
benefit I am t this yere world" And
again the revolver figured as a per
suader, and the little parson changed
the nature of his prayer.
He's giving Spot quite a send off"
said Billy In an undertone to one of
his companions, ''we're not in it."
The parson prayed for some time,
then prepared to arise.
''That amt enough" shouted Spot,
foUrishing5the revolver; I'll be hanged
eff I'm not goin' t. have enough prayin'
t. last me a weak, and then here's all
these boys amt been prayed for yet. "
So the parson resumed his prayer.
Several times he attempted to finish
and arise, but every time Spot com
PEELED him to return to his prayer. At
last, 1Len he was out Of breath, stiff
in every joint and sick with fright,
Spot condesc endingly said; There,
little 'un, that's enough. And now
we're goin' t. take up a k%erlection.
Boys, take yer hats 'roun', n don't let
onu oIIi1tu man ocOono -
Two Of the boys, each holding a hat
in n hand, a revolver in the other,
passed about the church compelling
every member Of the terrified congre-
cation to give some contribution.
Those who had no money were obliged
to give a watch or a ring, Or some other
jewel or trinket they might have about
them, and finally it was all brought to
Spot, who turned the collection over
to Billy.
AN fren's," said Spot, we're much
obliged t. you fer all this yere stuff, N
the parson fer his prayers We only
wanter ask one thing more O. you. We
amt no low down thieves. We amt
takin' up this yere money n gewgaws
fer ourselves. We're going t. do good
with 'em. Now we'll trouble you t.
tell US who's tn most deservin' charity
in this yer town."
THE widow" said several voices in
chorus.
'And who might be the widder9
There ken be more'n wilder in a
town. What's yer widder's nameG"
Nobody seemed to know, but he was
told where she lived, and the caval-
cade of cowboys turned their horses
around, and passed from the church
into the bright sunlight.