Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1895-07-23
GOULD SAVED THE CHURCH.
The Little Wizard Not So Black ms
He Is Painted.

"When the Texas Pacific railway was
being built" said w. w. Goodrich, the
baltimore architect, the other day, ac-
cording TO the New York Advertiser, IN
the midst OF discussion Of Jay Gould. in
which the Little Wizard" was getting
much the worst of II, Jay could ana gu
ney Dillon were on tour OF inspecuoh;
Their train was side-tracked IN NJ
tie town about fifty miles west OF foft
Worth. with the regular train waiting TOT
a wildcat freight 70 come IN. Inc pas
sengers were told by the conductor mat
at least two hours would elapse before
they would run again, ana that ahey ra nae
ample time 10 see the sights OF Piai'ie
town in the staked plains,
'Mr. Gould and Mr.. Dillon, with their
attendants. took in the town.
"They mad not gone far before they
heard the mournful clang OF an aucIoi ~
GERS bell, and came upon the crowd OF
curious people surrounding the seller. ne
auctloneer was crying, Fifteen hundred
dollars, Fifteen hundred dollars. Am OF
fered more? when Mr.. Gould touched
tall Texan on the arm ana asheu nun
what the sale was for.
"The man. as he looked curously at the
little financier. made striking picture IN
his Mexican sombrero OF silver ana gllt'
his buckskin suit fringed with tasse-
lated fringe several inches wide OF silver
thread and leather. the shining blued
Colts A sticking in his belt and the
handles of his daggers showing from MS
boot-to2s. ,.., !. .
Knockout for the parson.
In what way?' asked Mr.. Gould.
"'You see, pard. the parson built this
church. but the tin petered out. and now
crowd out for this coin. Pard, I'll tell you
what. I'll chip in and help the parson win
the bank | busted last night and the
ranger began TO pull gold coin and chips
out OF his pockets galore.
but Mr.. Gould did not even glance at IL
He stepped up to the auctioneer and asked
for the contractor who was closing out his
lien The auctioneer pointed out the man
and Gould approached MIN ana asked inc
Seventeen hundred dollars and costs,
said he
asked Mr.. Gould.
.'I'u settle for 800 and donate the bal
ance.' SAID the contractor.
..Nr Gould. taking from his pocket sew
eral bills of large denomination, gave them
10 the contractor ana took his receipt In
full with the cancelled lien.
"Just then an old man, who had been an
eve-witness OF the transaction, going up
To MIR. Gould, said: Stranger. what are
you going p do with the claim you've
"vp Could looked the man over in that
| calm way ne had and asked why he want
why said he: I am the steward Of Of
this church. All OF the members and sap
bath school scholars are in the church
with the presiding elder and pastor on
| their knees, praying God to come to oui
help and save the church.
MIR. Gould said nothing, but, taking th'
| receinted bill and cancelled lien that he
had in his hand. he gave them to The
steward. and turning toward the depot
walked rapidly back to his train,
.The steward entered the church, nov
| free and told the people what the LORD
had done. and the people sang the Doxoi
osy on their knees: Then they went ou
"They soon found out that the little maj
was none other than Jay Gould. Ill
| train had gone. and only q cloud OF dus
on the far-away prairie indicated wher'
'Mr. Gould has said that the letter h
afterwards received from that congrega
| tion' signed by every one In 1t. gave hin
more pleasure than clearing million dol
| lars"