New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1895-01-20

One great fellow with beard down to his
waistband and big boots caked with yellow mud,
sprang up and shouted:
"By thur devil | tell you uns what us this
man is a-tellin' thur trewth, I'm gwine ter re-
form, I De. knocked my oman down yesterday:
She war damned pervokin ne glanced rouhu
the company "you-Ins know jes' how damn prr-
vokin' my oman en- be. But amt gwine Ter
knock her down ergin. Never. onct sw ar hit
'Taint no work fur man-to be knockin down
women-tant. Other preachers don't talk reiig-
ion that makes er man do difrunt. This is tnur
religion fur me. I'm gwine ter do dif runt some
OF you-uns jes' spout er prayer ASH nj my case.
The man threw himself down on his knees and
covered his face with a pair OF grimy' Many
hands. 40,
Even Mrs. Ammidown could not smile at the
grotesque speech, or the grotesque speaker. her
face was set in a earnest look than was
often seen on Il. Genuine emotion Is such
power. such a contagious power.
Temple leaning forward as II she were us
tening for something more and something differ-
ent from anything she had heard-or rather as
II she were even now hearing the beginning OF
that something Her eyes were still on the
preacher. Mrs Ammidown. glancing at her saw
that the intent eyes Of the girl did not really see
Mercer himself. but that they were gazing De-
yond him. through him. they were searching.
AS for Mercer himself. he was gorired, exult.
ant. He had never before been so conscious OK
doing the Lords work. Of being indeed and in
truth a laborer in the vineyard. He did not Know
why 1t was But this evening greater glory
had been vouchsafed to him. 1t was as If he had
been sealed by the Almighty as one VINO was
worthy to work and TO be blessed in his work
His eyes sought Temples. Who is going TO
pray for our BROTHER he asked.
Temple slid down TO her knees. Without know
Ing that she did So. she leaned heavily against
Sally's stalwart frame as she had often leaned
when she a child.
She began TO pray. Afterward she could never
remember anything she said at that time. She
could only remember the ecstatic state or ner
mind in the conviction that God had at last gwen
10 her that she should experience religion. that
she should haze new heart with whcn 10 serve
him all the years Of her life, and for an eternity
longed SO fervently that God would help that
man who had asked for prayers that the very
fervor would insure the answer
Sally shouted fiery words OF triumph now anu
then in her mellow, African voice Ihere were
continuous EXPLANATIONS all about in the room:
1t was Mrs Ammidowl alone who could d!s-
criminate enough 10 know how wondeTu inc
girls prayer had really been.
Miss Drowdy burst out in quFerihs' exc
cited treble:
And now the negroes were rocking 10 ana
fro and moaning. and shouting. Some or them
were openly watching Sally who was famous
among them as one who could nave the power
beyond them all She could comfort her strong,
big frame; she could writhe and unduate Ike
a snake; her face would be set; her lips foam
Temple. the moment she had ceased praying.
rose to her feet. She pushed Sally aside and
moved toward the door. the men crowding back
To let her pass. Behind her walked the white
The girl and the dog made their way to where
the heavens looked down on tneHl. ieHP'c
had left her hat but she did not know II.
She walked blindly down the mountain the
dog following close at her heels, his head ana
tail dropped.
Suddenly the girl stopped She turned her face
up toward the sky She stretched out her
clasped hands. -
This must be religion" she said aloud We
wanted II for So long II was that man VINO
brought II. Ii that man. because he ~
Gods ambassador-Cod ambassador
The stars glittered down upon her. She re-
oh. had
fore:
I'm the night only Friedands stars may
shine" - 49,, .,.a.
meant She had feeling that all mysteries
might be revealed to her now. And the inetaoie
glory of the night. Of the dark shapes or the
mountains of the moist odors OF life and youth.
did not at this moment make her heart acne 20:
That was because she had religion she would
now be able to bear the wonderful happiness
which came from just being alive.
(To be continuedD