Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1894-01-13

Webster was sullen and defiant Jack was
older than the others. man in size, yet
he had just entered his twentieth year, and
had served six months against the Florida
Indians, and brought back considerable
fame for his courage. He walked the floor
of Mr.. Madden's east room, evidently medi-
tating some forcible way out of the diff
Guilty.
When the session was duly assembled I'm
the church, Cousin Joshua Witherspoon
a short, rotund, mild-faced, elderly man, was
deputed to bring down the culp,1ts one by
one, from the house to the church, for ex-
animation.
The trial commenced with the boys; MINI
rod Mayheld headed the list Nimrod was
more nervous than usual as ne followed
Cousin Joshua to the place OF doom. On
arriving at the church he found the entire
session assembled, his father among them,
and Dr. Tyndale at their head. The Old
preacher, always grave and dignfied, look
ed more grave than usual. He had SAD,
perplexed expression in mis- eyes.
After directing Nimrod TO stand and an
swer the questions as they were PROFOUND
ed he inquired:
''Nimrod, were you present at your Aunt
Betsy's on the night OF the candy puliing?
Yes, sir.
"Who else were there?'
"All the boys and girls in the neighbor-
hood, SIR
Were you among the dancers?'
mo, sir
WHAT" said the old man, with ner-
vous twist. .Nimrod, be careful. this is a
very serious matter"
Yes, sir il feels So but Cousin Rebecca
Witherspoon and 1 just looked on"
"Nimrod, my son, truth is jewel"
'Yes-yes, sir, now that 1 think about it
1 did dance some"
Yes! Yes!" said the doctor. with evident
relief. Tell us all about it,
"Well, sir, we made candy until we got
tired; then Bill Madden told some ghost
stories. We played blind mans bun and
<,,sf
his fiddle and played for Aunt Betsy, Oft
in the Silly Night o. Lang Syne.' and
some new tunes. Then Aunt Betsy went TO
bed, and Jack proposed We should all have
dance. Two or three partners took their
places on the floor. About this time some
one said Squire Dickey was coming down
the road. We blew out the candles and
then went home"
What time of night was this" contin-
ued his questioner.
"Early?-in the night or early in the
morning. asked the preacher.
Squire Dickey says ii was O'CLOCK
o'clock repeated DIR. Tyndale, when he
passed your Aunt Betsy s-two hours gone
into Sunday. You were breaking the Lord s
day, well as dancing.
II don't know exactly what time il was"
said Nimrod, but We had not danced long.
My son, long or short. you know very
we'll It was wrong. You know, too, that
there is a place of fire and birthstone for
the wicked. Dancing and Sabbath breaking
lead to that doeful abode. Better suffer
here than there"
Yes. SIR" said Nimrod, very humbly, Il
know it, but forgiveness comes in when you
ask it, don't it?"
80 it does!' said DIR. Tyndale. emphat-
ically-"so it does," A pause took place
II ask pardon. and promise to do better
hereafter" mumbled Nimrod. A still long
er pause.
Brethren" said the old preacher. adj
dressing the session, "a word of reproof and
exhortation, think, will be sufficient. Cous-
in Joshua, take him back and bring down
Jack Webster"
Jack Webster was arraigned.
lack. were you at the c.ndy pulling?'
Yes sir"
did you dancer"
"Yes. SIR
"Who else danced?"
"All of u.s. said Jack. "Nimrod and
Cousin Sally led the first SET
"Who played the violiny'
81 did, SIR" A dead silence for some mo-
ments.
Then YOU PLAYED on into Sunday said
DR.. Tyndale. sadly.
81 don't know what time 1t was Squire
Dickev knows"
did you see Squire Dickey?"
mo sir: but he was there all the sans"