Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1894-08-01

I oody up and down, Keeping time with
| the shouts he emitted, which were sup4
posed to be the prayers for the saliva
tion Of the souls of his sinful brethren
lat 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 rndertone, '.Now, then," and their
horses hoofs resounded on the wooden
floor of the church. The startled con-
eregation, 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 como L 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.
can as fer you, parson," said Spot,
pointing his revolver at the trembling
man, "don't stand there snivelin' I.
You're purity kind er shepherdi I'll
bet there amt one in tn flock as big q
coward as you, n yet you think you
isin buy off tn Lord by shoutin' n
pretendin' t. save souls a heap better'n n
Eourn. I'll give you sompin' t do in
earnest. I amt had no one to pray fei
me since WAS o little kid at my man.
Tny's knee. You jis' git down on yey
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 ii, but git down t business,
or I'll give you a lift t. better land, a
eervice y'd no doubt thank me fer. II
The little man did not seem quite
ready to depart for a better land, SC
covered by Spots revolver, he was OBJ
liged to sink on his knees and begin
his prayer.
Lord" he prayed, in a quaverinG
voice, 80 Lord--forgive and protect
this poor sinner
y
Eivin' tn Lord no mistaken impression
bout me. You tell Him about tn
benefit am t. this yere world" AnG
again the revolver figured as q per.
suader, and the little parson changed
the nature of his prayer.
"He's giving Spot quite q send
of, said Billy in an undertone to one
iof his companions, "we're not in it.
The parson prayed for some time,
then prepared to arise.
''That amt enough" shouted Spot,
hourishing the revolver; '1'll bt
hanged eff I'm not goin' t have enough
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
pciiod him to roturn 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,' n dom
let any guilty man escape"
Two Of the boys, each holding a hat
in one hand, a 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 a watch or a ring, or some
other jewel or trinket they might have
about them, and finally it was al
brought to Spot, who turned the col
lection over to Billy.
can frien's," said Spot, "we're
much obliged t you fer all this yere
stuff, n the parson fer his prayers.
We only waHter ask one thing more o
you. We amt no low down thieves.
We amt takin' up this yere money n
gewgaws Ter ourselves. We're going t
good with 'em. Now well trouble yor
t. tell US who's tn 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 G
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 theil
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, hall
decayed shanty standing alone among
the sage brush and wild flowers, their
pace slackened, and they finally came
20 a standstill before the broken gate.
"Whose a-goin' t. take the money n
stuff in t. the widder?" asked one Of
the boys. They ell looked at each
other in some perplexity.
"Pears t Spot ourter," said another,
she's bin headin' tn gang all day."
'It was Billy got up tn fun," said
Spot, $50 'cordin' t my min he ourter
be tn one to do tn charity act. Sides,
he's lady's man, an talker from
way back"
Billy made some romonstrances, but
was finally prevailed upon to undertake
the commission, and, hanging his six
shooter sad belt on the fence, lie
knocked at the door. A feeble voice
said: "Come in" Pushing the door
open, he stood irresolute upon tho
threshold. The light in the room wn.
dim, and he could indistinctly see {
figure stretched on n low couch in the
farther corner.
"Will you come in, sirf" caid the
same feeble,' gentle voice; then al
Billy stepped in with some embarrass
ment she continued, "What is your er
rand, sir?"
He tried to think of O means b.
which he could delicately and accept
ably deliver his message of charity, bu