The Bolivar bulletin. (Bolivar, Tenn.) 1888-1946, 1893-12-22

ever given the other cause to take
active offense. hated him at school
and have hated him everywhere; and
what is strange to me is that instead
of my hate wearing out as the years Of
judgment come on, it seems to become
deeper, as the roots of a poisonous vine
that push their way further and fur
ther into the earth. suppose we'll
come together some day."
Billings had been waiting for the
blacksmith to shoe his horse, and as
the work was now done he mounted
and rode away. lie had not been gone
long when Podsley rode up. He did
not dismount, but turning sidewise in
his saddle he began in his easy and
withdrawing way to harangue the
party of men sitting about the door.
Il have just seen the new circuit
rider" said he, land he told me that
he expected to do great work in this
neighborhood. | informed him that
there was plenty of material lying
around, and that as soon as | got
through with my own particular har-
vest ! would help him with his. Oh,
think that can swing a cradle in the
tangled wheat and tares of sin. But
don't think that the preacher took my
offer in good part. He asked me if |
were professor, and / had to tell him
that there still remained several de-
grees of sanctity that had not taken.
Thereupon, fellow-citizens, he rebuked
me-
"And he served you right" said the
blacksmith, who stood in the door,
wiping his hands on his sheep-sl1in
apron.
''I suppose you're right, Tobe," Pods
lev replied, 'but it does rather chafc
me to see a young fellow just from
school, just from an ambitious exam
ination into which his earthly pride
urged him by promising him prize-I
say it chafes me to hear that young
fellow talk TO older men about the sin
of the world and of the great work
which he himself is expected to per-
form. And yet, if it hadn't been for
certain man in this community / sup
pose that I should have been a preach
er. 1t was my mothers prayer and my
own intention, but as the time drew
near I found that my heart was too
full of hate TO preach the gospel of
love"
But couldn't you let the love for the
many overcome the hate of the one?"
the blacksmith asked
mo, / threw personal inclination
and mothers yearning on the side of
love of the many, but there stood the
hate. defying everything"
I'VE all know who the object of hate
is" said the blacksmith.
'0h. suppose you do, for there has
never been any concealment of it. All
his friends and all my friends know It,
And yet, to tell you the truth, ! don't
know why l hate him. 1t has been a
mystery to me nearly all my life. But /
remember that about the first lucid
thought / ever had was the idea that
he had been born merely to annoy me.
His annoyance, though, was always of
passive kind. I have never been able
TO call him TO account for anything
that he has said or done. And this
makes me hate him still more. Well,
boys, take care of yourselves"
He rode away, turned to the right
and galloped down the county road.
He had not gone far when he saw, a
short distance ahead, man sitting on
horse, talking to a girl who had
brought gourd of water from house
near by. Podsley knew the man and
he rode past him without turning his
head. but the girl must have seen that
he cast hard look, for she drew back
from the fence and said something in
an undertone. Podsley rode on. Bill
lings' horse soon came cantering after
him. The road abruptly dipped down
and crossed a small stream. Podsley
halted to let the horse drink. Billings
rode into the stream and halted.
Bright weather we're having" said
Billings.
''Yes, rather. But don't think that
a little rain would do any HARM
No, except to some veakling who
might chance TO get wet"
That's a fact" Podsley rejoined;