Pawtucket tribune. (Pawtucket, R.I.) 1890-189?, 1895-06-07
MUSCLE 'SUASION.

was on the road To Jericho. At piac
called Bluoruin we stopped 10 minutes
There had been cock fight, and severa
other fights, and big crowd there tha
day, and everybody was In high gloe.
Tho New Jericho delegation returned b,
our train, and roughcr looking samples O
rustic rowdydom 1t would have bcon diff
cult 10 find, even In that favored region
Among them was "a strapping six footer,
very Hercules In proportions, with cocl
o. the walk sort Of swaggor about him
who took possession OF two seats, deposit
ing his body on one and deadhehding hi
logs on the other 4le cheek was puffet
out 10y an underlying quid, while ever ant
anon, with back action jerk, he woult
send near gill of tobacco juice over his
shoulder, which those within range had
the privilege of dodging or taking the con
sequences of, as they liked AS for his con.
versation, tho curse of Ernulphus or the
table talk Of Flanders messroom in Un.
Gle Toby's time In point of maledictory
power, was weak in comparison.
At the next station young lady came
on board, beautiful as Venus and modest
rs Dian. How SO rare flower came to
bloom in such wild was question to
| puzzle over But there was no time to sct-
seats were occupied. was on the point of
Offering mine, when youthful looking
gentleman, of prepossessing manners and
appearance, stepped forward and addressed
tho couchant Hercules:
"Allow me-, he said politely, "to turn
over the back of this seat"
"Hey?" the other grunted.
The request was repeated.
"See you burned flrstW was the gruff
response.
''But, sir''- the gentleman began to
expostulate.
"Lookee here, you," clustered the bull
ly, "don't you offer to go for to rile me!
That's my advice, an 1 gives it Free cause
feel a intrust in you"
"But this lady is entitled to a seat" the
stranger persisted.
"Give her your own then an stop your
chin music, or, by hoky, you will rile
mep
AS last resort, the gentleman appealed
to the conductor who Chanced to be pass
ing. But the latter declined to interfere
Such things must ~ left to courtesy
Besides it was not his place to take part in
the disputes of passengers. So saying, he
went his way, punching tickets and tax
ing no further heed.
"Dod blast you, you hev riled mel"
shouted the bully, springing to his feet and
striding up to the young man, who didn't
seem quite sensible of hisdanger. you've
gone an stuck your nose inter other peo-
ple's business, an I'm goin to pull it'll"
An attempt was made to suit the action
to the word, but before the metaphorically
offending member had been so much as
touched something-it moved so swiftly
couldn't be positive it was the gcntleman's
flst-took Hcrcules on the jaw Q2d sent
him sprawling to the other end of tho car.
He didn't get up Immediately, and when
he cid he seemed a little bewildered as to
whether he had been knocked down or the
train had run off the track. He had had
enough, at all events, wherever it came
from, as was manifest from the subdued
air with which he took his departure for
the smoking car, whittier his companions
soon followed, no doubt secretly chuckling
at tho result, rs usually do the chums Of
awhipped bully.
Pap Kilderkin, the proprietor Of the New
Jericho Rest, was the most communicative
of hosts. Before bedtime that night was
thoroughly and accurately "up" in all the
gossip Of the place and had its scandalous
statistics at my fingers ends.
Among other things, / learned that
"stated preaching" had hitherto been
among the wants of the community but
that a supply had been at length OBJ
tained, and the new minister was expected
to enter on his duties on the morrow
'And refreshin season he'll hev Of
it," said Pap.
"Why SOP" asked.
ooh! Bill Grinkey an t'other chaps
goin to break him in termorror, an ef you
want to see fun I'd edwise you to go thar"
And did go-not "to see fun," but,
trust, from better motives Pap went, too
by what prompted prefer not judging.
When we reached the church, the minis
ter had not yet made his appearance,
though goodly number of hearers had al
ready assembled. A few minutes later yes
terday's delegation to the Blueruin cock
fight, headed by the vanquished bully,
saiintered in and walked noisily down the
aisle.
"That's Bill Grinkey," whispered Pap,
ian thems t'other chaps"
make way for the emourners!' sang out
Bill, crowding with his companions into
front seat, where boisterous converse.
tion was struck up, mingled with an in
cessant cracking of peanuts.
II kin tell you thar programme" Pap
continued. "a pack o. crackersll be
fetched of doorin tho fust hyme, an pair
O game chickens as q couple o. them
chaps got In thar pockets'n be sot nghtin
as soon as the tex's gin out, arter which
gen raj Ned'll be In order"
A sudden silence fell upon the congrega-
tion. Not q murmur was heard and the
peanuts ceased to crackle. Looking up,
saw the new minister in the pulpit, and
guess my surprise at recognizing him as the
young man that had struck out SO deftly
from his shoulder the day beforel
With clear, manly voice he gave out a
hymn, which was sung through without
interruption. A prayer was offered amid
profound and decorous silence Another
hymn followed, and then q sermon, ear
nest, plain, practical and without word
Of cant In It, From the beginning to tho
end of the exercises not an unscemly sound