National Baptist world., 1894-10-05


hurrying to-
ward the consecrated spot.
The Sabbath was observed and re-
spected by all the residents Of the
town, except Jan Gebhardt. This
citizen, despite the Plea ngs and per-
suasions Of the little parson and the
members Of the church. refused to
close his saloon on Sunday, for upon
this day he usually realized his biggest
profits.
This morning Jan was standing at
the door placitly smoking his pipe
and looking away towards the noun
tains with a self-satistied expression.
The scene presented to his
phlegmatic mind simply earth, vegeta-
ton and air, while in the clear, pro-
pitious weather he discerned alone
the promise Of extended patronage.
AS he stood there, wrapped in pleas
ant anticipations, he heard faint,
low, steady rumbling, as if Of distant
thunder. He looked up quickly. There
were no clouds in the sky. What could
it mean?
Jan took the pipe from his mouth
and listened. Suddenly shout, &C
companied by the report Of number
of revolvers, startled the neighbors
far and near, and there issued from
the gulch a BLACK mass which shortly
resolved itself into a body of horsemen
bearing down towards the town.
Jan watched them lazily, thinking
Of the money he would be able to raise
from them.
I'D hn LOT
tering of horses hoofs, until Jan could
almost hear each separate football,
and presently they slowed up and
stopped outside his door.
One Of them, burly fellow, asked
him for certain kind of liquor, and
after the keeper Of the tavern had
taken it from the shelf and turned
about, his smile was suddenly trans
formed to look Of horror, for he saw
several revolvers leveled at him.
.4Dutchy," said the burly fellow,
''don't you know you're desecratin' the
best day in the week by keepin' yer sa-
loon open?"
'tWell, how can help it, gentlemen?
It's the best day for business"
Business or no business, old man,
you've got to reform. We're a Saliva
tion army, we are, and don't you for
get it."
-assE.'Fetch down them bottles from that
shelf" shouted the cowboy.
The trembling Jan obeyed. Now,
then,' said this strange avenging
angel, ''set 'em up across the room,
every ones bulls eye
Jan hesitated, but the revolvers com
pelled obedience.
Before the cava.lcade moved on he
had been obliged to see the destruc-
ton Of large part Of his wares, and
the unfOrtu nate man was left stand
ing amid confusion of broken kegs,
neckless bottles and pools of wines
and liquors, wringing his hands and
calling down maledictions upon his
prosecutors, who were now continuing
their mad career down the street.
The cowboys soon came in sight of
the little church standing in lot sur
rounded by a rough picket fence.
while few small poplar trees seemed
endeavoring to cast a little shade
about the building.
Now for some fun, boys" said
Billy, graceful, 1.-THE young man
with mischievous brown eyes, as he
reined up his horse: you fellows just
follow Spot, and you'll see something
interesting"
As the pastor was gathering for the
elimination Of the 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 congregation, rising
with one accord, beheld Spot, the cow
boy, riding solemnly down the aisle
followed by his companions.
Don't be alarmed, ladies n gentle
men. We're only come to join in the
services, an I'll trouble you to sit
still till they're over." said Spot, with
a smile manufactured for the occasion,
as the people seemed inclined to de-
part rather precipitously.
San fer you, parson," said Spot,
pointing his revolver at the trembling
man. II amt had no one to pray for
me since was little kid at my mann
my's knee. You jist get down on
your knees and pray fer me now"
The little man dad not seem quite
ready to depart for the better land. So,
covered by Spots revolver, he was
obliged to sink on his knees and begin
his prayer.
Lord he prayed in quivering
voice-"Oh. Lord-forgive and protect
this poor sinner"
s'See here, now, / don't want you
givin' the Lord no mistaken impress
sion bout me. You tell him about
the benefit am t this yere world"
The parson prayed for some time,
then prepared to rise.
THAT amt enough" shouted Spot,
fourishing his revolver ''1'n be
hanged eff I'm not goin to have enough
orayin' to last me week, and here's
all these boys amt been prayed for
get"
So the parson resumed his prayer.
Several times he attempted to finish
and arise, but every time Spot COM
Delled 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 going to take up col
lection. Boys, take yer hats 'roun'
-. don,f lat anu rniltV man escape"