The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1895-11-23

kee Hall. "I'm goin to turn up my box
an close the game at 7:80 sharp, an Ham
ilton says he's goin to shut up the dance
hall, seein as how several ladies is due to
sing lot in the choir. We might Jest as
well turn out an give Short Greek the
best turn in the wheel, jest to start him
along the new trail"
That's whatever" said Tutt who had
recovered from his first gloom and now
entered into the affair with spirit.
That evening the New York warehouse
! was as brilliantly lighted as an abundance
| of candles could make it, All Wolfyille
was there. As a result of discussion held
| in private with Short Creek Dave and by
| that converts own request Cherokee Hall
| took seat at the dry goods box which was
to serve as pulpit to assist in the conduct
| of the meeting. The congregation disposed
| itself about on the improvised benches
which the ardor of Tutt had provided. At
O'Clock Short Creek Dave walked up the
space in the center reserved as an aisle in
| company with Cherokee Hall, this latter
gentleman carrying giant Bible, which
he placed on the dry goods box. Rapping
gently on the box for order, Cherokee ad-
dressed the meeting briefly:
This yere is a prayer meetin of the
camp, said Cherokee, can am asked
by Dave to preside, which aocordin do.
No one need make any mistake about this
yere gatherin on account Of my presence.
This yere is a religious meetin. I'm not
myself given that way, but I'm alters glad
to meet people what is, an see that they
have chance in for their ante, an their
game is protected. am one of those too,
who believes little religion wouldn't
hurt this camp much. Next to lynchin
don't know of more excellent influences
in a western camp than the yere meetin's.
I amt expectin to be in this play none
myself, an jest set here in the name Of or
der an for the purpose of square deal. I
now introduce to you a gentleman who is
liable to be as good preacher as ever
banked a Bible-your townsman, Short
Creek Dave
''Mr. President" said Short Creek Dave,
turning to Cherokee.
"Short Greek Dave" said Cherokee.
sententiously, at the same time bowling
gravely In recognition.
"And ladies and gentlemen of Wolf
\ ville,' continued Dave ~ shall open this
| yere play with a prayer"
The prayer proceeded. 1t was fervent
| and earnest, and replete with unique ex-
pressions and personal illusions. In these
| last the congregation took breathless in
terest. Toward the close Dave bent his en-
ergies In supplication for the regeneration
of Texas Thompson, whom he represented
in his prisons as good man, but living a
| misguided and vicious life. The audience
was listening with grave and approving
attention, when there came an interrupt
tion. It was Texas Thompson, who arose
| to address the chair.
"Mr. President said Texas Thompson,
| drawing long breath, II objects to Dave
| a-tacklin of the Redeemer for me, an
a-makin of statements which aim to show
| I'm nothin niore'n felon. This yere talk
is liable to queer me up on high, an I OBJ
| jects to it,
| prayer is free for all game an thar
amt no limit onto it," said Cherokee.
"The chair therefore decides agin the
| pint of order
| "Well, Them rejoined Texas Thomp-
son, "a-wavin of the usual appeal to the
| house, all I've got to say is this: I'm
peaceful man, an have alters been tbs
friend Of Short Creek Dave, an even as
sists at an promotes this yere meetin But
gives notice yere now, if Short Greek
| Dave keeps ON a-malignin of me to the
oIOdu UultO 1HIOA6 stS u6rGtOlOT0, Ii
shore call on him to make them statements
good with his gun as soon as the oontree.
button box is passed.
The chair informs the gent said
| Cherokee, with vast dignity, "that Dave
bein now an evangelist, can't make no
| gun plays nor 60 canterin out to shoot, as
of former day. However, the chair recog-
nizes the rights of the gent, an standin as
| the chair doac in ho 81
to this yere game, the chair will be ready
to back to play with Colts As as soon as
ever church is out in person.
Mr.. President" said Dave, 'sjest let
me get word in yere. I've looked up
things little, an finds that the Apostle
Peter, who was main guy of them days
scrupled not to fight Now, follers Pc.
ter's lead in this. / might add, too, that
while it gives me pain to be obliged to
shoot up Deakon Thompson in the first
half of the first meetin we holds in Wolf.
| vile, still the path Of duty is cl'ar, an l
shall shorely walk therein, fearin nuthin
therefore moves we adjourn ten minutes
| an as there is plenty of moon outside, il
the chair will lend me it's gum not pack
In of sech friyolities no more, a-regardin
of 'em in the light of sinful bluffs-I shall
trust to Providence to convince Texas
| Thompson that he's away off in this mat
ter. You bet knows my business. %
"Unless objection is heard, this we're
meetin will stand adjourned for Is min
utes, said Cherokee, at the same time
passing over his six shooter.
Thirty PAGES were stepped off, and the
men stood up in the moonlit street. while
the congregation made line of admira.
| tion on the sidewalk,
II counts one, two, three and drops the
contribution box, said Cherokee, "whar.
upon you all fires and advances at will
Be you all ready2''
The shooting began on the word, and
when the smoke cleared away Texas
Thompson had bullet in his shoulder.
THE congregation will now take it's
seats in the store" said Cherokee. "and
the deal will be resoomed Two of you all
carry Texas over to the hotel and fix him
up all right. This yere shows conclusive
that Short Creek Dave is licensed from
above to pray for whoever he pleases, an
I'm mighty glad it occurs. It's shorely
goin to promote public confidence in his
ministrations
The concourse was duly in Its seats when
4 n IN ufrn Trr Dr4t- L 4