The weekly Union times. [volume] (Union C.H., South Carolina) 1871-1894, 1894-02-02

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On Sunday the sun shone out bright
and clear, and old King Solomon was
as glorious sight as one might wish
&c eco. HE Biblical namesake in all
his reputed glory could not have fur
nished grsnder inspiration.
Every male person was promptly on
hand that night at the little school
house, and there was sprinkle of the
other sex-women who had not
listened to a preachers voice since
they were little girls
The half-hour SwGf devoted to read.
ing stories, which Mere responded to
by hearty laughter and few pathetic
cxclamations.
When Parsori Tom had finished and
was about to say good-hight, Paymnster
Bill arose and reminded his compan.
ions that on the night the pGrson had
called on them, it had been proposed
that fund be started toward building
a church. Then he added:
81 don't reckon none of ye has got
q notion o backin' down on thet ther'
Dtopersition. Eff ye has, let's hear
it."
There was not dissenting voice,
though the amount of gold and silver
dropped in the parsons pretty buck
skin bag was not SO large as it might
have been had the parson not ''lost
his first winnin'."
The moon had dropped down be-
hind the peak of King Solomon, leav-
ing tho camp in darkness, while soft
snow fell with that monotony which
indicates a heavier fall TO come.
Parson Tom had just opened the
door bf his cabin to step in, when n
heavy hand was laid upon his throat
and hoarse voice demandci:
"Give me that money! Quick !"
The Darson was hy &c mcaT;; Is
coward, He struggled with his assail-
mt, and together they fell into the
cabin nnd rolled out into tho light
cover of fresh snow which had fallen
on the frozen crust. Muttercd curses
and tighter grip upon his throat met
his resistance.
Parson Tom knew not how long he
had lain there, and, despite the
warmer temperature, he was numb
with cold when he crawlei into his
cabin. He was so completely over
como by the struggle with his nssailant
and the cold that he lay upon his bed
In II stupor far into the night.
When he aroused, the snow was fall
irg in great sheets, like drifts, from
the gulch above. He opened the door
and looked out. He could see moth.
ing but the binding storm and tho
darkness which was scarcely s;::L ,.,;;,vI
by the ghastly whitencss of the snow.
Ho dared not venture out. No man
could live an hour in that terrible
storm.
Rebuilding tho fire, the parson sat
down and tried to think--tried to
think where he had heard that voice
before it demanded his money. IF he
could only recall that, he would be
nble to identify the man who had
robbed him. Without that rccollec-
ton, his claim that he had boon
robbed the second time would bc only
laughed at by the mon who had been
so generous in their gifts.
But it was impossible to recall it,
though he knew he had heard it and
remarked its peculiar tone. And there
he sat through tho long, black night
hoping against hope.
1t was broad MONDAY whom he
awoke, sitting by tho dying embers
on the hearth. The sun shonc brighter
than it had shonc for weeks. It's hot
rays melted tho snow on the roofs of
the houses, and the day was like day
in spring. But it brought no joy to
the heart Of Parson Tom.
The habitucs of Big Franks saloon
had hardly settled themselves down
to the pleasures or pastimcs of the
day--their morning hour being tho
-time-when they were startled
by the ghost like appearance ofParson
Tom. In q trembling voice, he told
his story.
"He plays it wcll," snccrcd Big
Frank; that's purity good makeup
ye've got on yer face. Yc'd ought ter
be performer. There'll be chance
fer ye when the variety show opens
up in the spring"
This speech was greeted with laugh
ter by the crowd, and the poor parson
was dumb--but not dcni-with morti-
tication. How could he face these men
who disbclic7ed his very first utter
ance? lie t:,cnct. to 20.
'Ilold on thor'!" cried Paymaster
Bill; "this is twicct yer say yer bin
robbed i'll this camp. Both times it
was our money rs yc WAS robbed Of
money at we give yc. Now ye'rc got
ter prove it; fer we don't low no man
t accuse none o us o robbin' him tho
second time 'thout he pcrduccs thcr
proof.
ether proofs Wat we wants !"
shouted the crowd.
Parson Tom stood rs still rs death.
lie could not speak.
can theirs another thing yc'vo got
ter prove, continued Bill, as he saw
the parson would notreply; "ye'vc got
ter prove thet yo didn't rob some
other parties besides ycrself. Moron
one cabin was burglarizcd last night {;
an of yo amt thcr burglar, then.
prove it."
But Parson Tom could utter no
sound, save groan of anguish. Could
hn