Sullivan republican. [volume] (Laporte, Pa.) 1883-1896, 1893-06-09
and when it ceased rode on to the gate

way.
''Now for some fun, boys, said Billy,
a graceful, 1.-THE young man with mis-
chievous brown eyes, as he reigned up
his horse ''you fellows just follow Spot
and wen see something interesting. :"
Spot, who had been spokesman at the
saloon, urged his horse forward and
they slowly rode into the yard and to
the door of the church.
The congregation were kneeling in
prayer, while the pastor, standing in
the center of the platform, his arms
uplifted, his face writhing in the most
ludicrous contortions, was moving his
body up and down, keeping time with
the shouts he emitted, which were sup
posed to be the prayers for the saliva
tion of the souls of his 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 one accord, be-
held Spot, the cowboy, riding solemn
ly up the aisle, followed by his COM
panions
Don't be alarmed, ladies N gentle
men. We're only come t. join in the
services, an ill trouble you t. sit still
they're over" said Spot, with q 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 apprehen-
sion.
"An' as fer you, parson," said Spot,
pointing his revolver at the trembling
man, ''don't stand there snivelin'
You're 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 heap better'n
yourn. I'll give you. sompin' t. do in
earnest. l amt had no one to pray fer
me since 1 was little kid at my mann
my'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 lift T. a better land, a
service y'd no doubt thank me fer. -
The little man did not seem quite
ready to depart for better land, SO
covered by Spots revolver, he was OBJ
liged to sink ON his knees and begin
his prayer.
Lord" he prayed, in u quavering
voice, go Lord--forgive and protect
| this poor sinner"
''See here, nov I don't want you
givin' tn Lord no mistaken impression
bout me. You tell Him about tn
benefit ! am t. this yere world" And
again the revolver figured as per-
suader, and the little parson changed
the nature of his prayer.
''He's giving Spot quite 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,
fiourishing the revolver; 'Tn be
hanged eff I'm not goin' t. have enough
prayin t. last me week, 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, when he was out of breath,
stiff in every joint and sick with
fright, Spot condescendingly said
''There, little 'un, that's enough. And
now we're goin' t. take up kerlection.
Boys, take yer hats 'roun,' m don't
let any guilty man escape" ;"
Two of the boys, each holding hat
in one hand, q 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 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 col
lection over to Billy.
''An' frien'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.
good with 'em. Now we'll trouble you
t. tell us who's TIL most deservin'
charity in this yer town."
''The widow |" said several voices in
chorus.
''And who might be the widder
There ken be more'n one widder in q
town. What's yer widder's name?"
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.
They wended their way down the
road, laughing boisterously over their
recent escapade, and soon found them
selves in the little lane leading to the
widow.
The horses had been trotting brisk
ly, but upon nearing the little, half
decayed shanty standing alone among
the sage rush and wild flowers, their
pace slackened, and they finally came
to standstill before the broken gate.