The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1895-11-08

company with Cherokee Hall, this latter
gentleman carrying a giant Bible, which
he placed on the dry goods box. Rapping
gently on the box for order, Cherokee adj
dressed the meeting briefly:
This yere is a prayer meetin of the
camp" said Cherokee, IAN l am asked
by Dave to preside, which I acoordin 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 L m alters glad
to meet people what is, an sec that they
have chance in for their ante, an their
game is protected l am one of those, too,
who believes a little religion wouldn It
hurt this camp much. Next to lynchin
don't know of a more excellent influence
in a western camp than these yere mcetin's.
1 amt cxpcctin to be in on this play none
myself, an jest set here in the name of or
der an for the purpose of a square deal.
now introduce to you gentleman who is
liable to be us good preacher as ever
banked Bible-your townsman, Short
Greek Dave
Mr. President, - said Short Creek Dave,
turning to Cherokee.
"Short Greek Dave" said Cherokee
sententiously, at tho same time bowling
gravely in recognition.
and ladies and gentlemen of Wolf
ville," continued Dave, 81 shall open this
yere play with prayer"
The prayer proceeded. 1t was fervent
and earnest, and replcte with unique OK
pressions and personal illusions. In these
last the congregation took breathlesS in
terest. Toward the close Dave bent his on
ergios in supplication for the regeneration
of Texas Thompson, whom he represented
in his prisons as a good man, but living q
misguided and vicious life. The audience
was listening with grave and approving
attention, when there came an interrupt
ton. 1t was Texas Thompson, who arose
to address the chair.
"Mr. President" said Texas Thompson,
drawing a long breath, 81 objects to Dave
a-tacklin of the Redeemer for me, an
a-makin of statements which aim to show
I'm nothin more'n felon. This yere talk
Is liable to queer me up on high, an OBJ
jects to it,
Prayer Is q free for all game, an thar
amt no limit onto it, said Cherokee.
1.-THE chair therefore decides agin the
pint of order"
"Well, them" rejoined Texas Thomp-
son, "a-wavin of tho usual appeal to the
house, all I've got TO say is this: I'm a
peaceful man, an have alters been the
friend of Short Creek Dave, an even as
sists at an promotes this yere meetin. But
/ gives notice yere now, if Short Creek
Dave keeps on a-malignin of me to the
Great White Throne as heretofore, I'll
shore call on him to make them statements
good with his gun as soon as the contree-
button box is passed"
1.-The chair informs the gent" said
Cherokee, with vast dignity, THAT Dave,
bein now an evangelist, can't make no
gun plays nor go cantcrin out to shoot, as
of former day. However, the chair recog-
Mics the rights of the gent, an standin us
the chair does in the position Of lookout
to this yere game, the chair will be ready
to back to play with n Colts As as soon as
ever church is out in person"
"Mr. President" said Dave, "jest let
me get word in yere. I've looked up
things n little, an l finds that the Apostle
Peter, who was n main guy of them days,
scruplod not to fight. Now, follers Pc
tcr's lead in this might add, too, that
while it gives me pain to be obliged to
shoot up Dcakon Thompson in the first
half of the first meetin we holds in Wolf
vile, still the path of duty is cl'ar, an
shall shorely walk therein, fearin nuthin.
l therefore moves VIC adjourn ten minutes,
an as there is plenty of moon outside, if
the chair will lend me its gum not pack
in of sech friYolitics no more a-regardin
of 'cm in the light of sinful bluffs-1 shall
trust to Providence to convince Texas
Thompson that he's away off in this mat
ter. You bet l knows my business"
"Unless objection is heard, this yere
meetin will stand adjourned for 10 min
utcs," 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 limo of admira-
ton on the sidewalk.
81 counts one two, three and drops the
contribution box. said Cherokee, "whar
upon you all fires and advances at will.
Be you all ready?"
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 tho store" said Cherokee, "and
the deal will be resoomed. Two of you all
carry Texas over to the hotol 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
Dave again reached the pulpit.
~ will now resoome my intercessions
for our unfortunate brother, Texas Thomp-
son." said Dave.
az knowed he would" said Cherokee
Hall as IS came over from the wounded
Thompson for the contribution box.
"Texas Thompson is a reasonable man, an
you can gamble religious truths alters as
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