Mississippi leader. (Jackson, Miss.) 1892-1895, 1894-06-12
STORY WITH A POINT
A LICENSE VOTING PREACHER is IN
SUITED.

Keeper, Who Has Been the Reverend
Doctors Political BedfeIlow, Converts
Him Clean Through.
Written For this paper by J. /. Frederick, ed
itor of the Lincoln (Neb). New Republicl
Sept A is set apart by the laws Of
Nebraska as Labor day, being made
legal holiday and dedicated to the pleas
ure and interests of the laboring classes.
In towns and cities large enough to
support labor organizations and trade
unions great demonstrations are made
ON this day. Merchants, manufacturers
and others usually take advantage of the
opportunity to advertise their goods and
wares in the great parade, which is
made the crowning display of the day.
Our city was all astir for several days
in advance, making preparations for
this parade. In front or at the rear of a
great number of the leading business
houses wagons and vehicles were being
carefully arranged and decorated for the
occasion.
Particularly noticeable was the wagon
being prepared and elaborately decorat-
ed by house known as '"The Serpent. "
Three wagons were attached to each
other like small train of cars A huge
serpent was manufactured and stretched
the entire length of the three wagons.
1t was model Of ingenious workman
ship and artistic skill as we'll as a good
representation Of the house of business.
In the construction of the serpent a
long, crooked log was used, and to this
were attached beer bottles, stood on
end, giving the reptile a fierce appear
ance. The head was carved out Of wood
and appropriately painted, so that it
made good likeness, and it was readily
recognized as the sign of "The Ser
pent"
Whose saloon will be better known
than ours when the parade is over?" re-
marked one of the proprietors as he
viewed the finished work with satisfac-
tion.
,, "Have a dozen bartenders ready"
said another, 'for the crowd will fol-
low the serpent clear to the saloon, and
they'll all want q drink. Well have
plenty of business the rest Of the day,
boys, and don't you forget it. +"
A beer keg was stood ON end at each
corner Of the three wagons, and it was
determined to have 10 representative
men who were friendly to their business
ride on these kegs. 1t did not take long
to secure the names of laborers, mechan-
ics merchants and professional men
who would assist by accepting the in
vitation.
'But we must have preacher in the
crowd" said one.
This caused laugh among the boys,
but the speaker remarked that he did
not care to have his friends made the
subject Of sport.
"Why," says he, there is the Rev.
DR.. Sitruc. He is one of the best friends
we have. He stands by us at every elec-
tion, and there is not man i'll the city
who does more to make our business re-
spectacle in the eyes of the people,
Good for the DOCTOR" exclaimed an
other 81 propose three cheers for DIR.
| Sitruc''
The cheers were given, and then they
began to talk in earnest about asking the
reverend doctor to participate in their
parade.
HE will never do it," objected one.
''Look here, old fellow, these preach
ers are supposed to be consistent, are
they not? And if they are he cannot re-
fuse. He is surely friend to our bust
ness. He voted last spring for the men
who were pledged to stand by us. He
plainly said in sermon just before elec-
| tion that he believed in granting licenses
| to saloons and then enforcing the laws.
He amt afraid to let people know where
he stands. His congregation are with
him too. He is very popular with them,
and of course they think it is all right
if he does. We got their votes last
spring. 1t would be an insult to him and
his church not to have them represented
Come ON, Tom; let's go and see him."
Tom was special chum of the saloon
keeper who had just been speaking, and
they sauntered off toward DR.. Sitruc's
residence.
"Bill, this does seem tarnel queer,
calling on the preacher.
"Queer the HI, you chicken hearted
cuss. believe you are afraid to go in
What's the matter with your"
"Well, go ahead, and I'll follow, but
remember you are to do the talking"
The two assembled the steps at the
residence of the wealthy and popular
pastor of the First Presbyterian church.
Not few eyes were turned at the
sight of the notorious Bill Bourbon, pro-
prietor of aThe Serpent" !" entering the
residence Of preacher, and many were
the interrogations as to the object Of his
call.
The electric bell jingled, and the doc
tor himself came to the door. He at
once recognized the dissipated and bloat-
ed faces of the two well known hard
characters.
A frown and look of fear were seen in
the doctors countenance. "Have they
come to kill me?'' flashed through his
mind. what have done or said to in
cite them to such deed? Nothing that
/ can think Of, and yet they know that
] oppose their business.
But the good natured smile on the
faces of the visitors and the polite tip
of the hat assured him that their inten-
ticns were not evil, and he ventured to
invite them in.
"You have probably noticed, said
Bill. "our preparations for the parade.
1t is going to be swell affair. Our
wagon is bound to be the great attrac-
/ ton of the day. It is our object to have