The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1895-06-21

neither insulting comparisons nor heJ-
erodox looseness as to means of grace
was sufficient to make the deacon
swerve from his clearly comprehended
duty. So he exclaimed in very decided
tone:
straight is the path and narrer is
the way, and nobody amt got the right
to make it any broader. "
ST don't want to make it so, said
the major rather testify, "but isn't it
better to walk in any respectable road
than to wander carelessly about all the
gateways of hell?"
The deacon did not dare answer in
the affirmative. yet had too much heart
to say no, so he compromised and re-
manned silent
ST think" said the professor, Turing
troublesome fly under tumbler by
means of a fragment of stewed dried
apple and then quickly dropping the
tumbler, "that the persuasive method
would be--ah-by far the best. Show
him the delights of virtue and how
great they are in comparison with his
sinful pleasures, and then call his at
tention to the many precious promises
that are contained in the good book
"And some of those which aren't in
it, but which God has written just as
plainly" interrupted the major.
"Well, wouldn't be-ah-too sure
about that" said the professor abstract
edly, putting his hand before his eyes.
"Nor I nuther," said the deacon,
closing his lips as tightly as if they
were the doors. to the safe which con-
tanned all the company's refined metal.
The major arose abruptly, and so did
his partners. Instead of the three part
ners walking together to the claim, as
was their usual custom, the professor
became absorbed in book, and the ma
ior consumed an unusual amount of
time in lighting cigar. After the
deacon had been gone long enough to
preclude the possibility of his being
overtaken, the major started. The pro-
fessor fingered over his book few mo-
ments longer, when he also started, but
was suddenly stopped by the German
cook, who ran against him, exclaiming:
"Dat saloon, de Pride of Spurtip, Is
all afirep'
The professor took q lively double
quick in the direction of the fire, for the
saloon was very near the claim, and the
works of the claim were of wood only.
Fortunately, however, the wind was in
favorable direction, so the professor
stopped and gazed at the conflagration
with considerable satisfaction, for, al.
though the professor was very quiet
man, his respect for the liquor trade
was an unknown quantity.
As the saloon was of unpainted boards
and upholstered, the flames made rapid
progress, so that Jim Slipson, the pro-
prietor, had barely time to save two or
three armfuls of bottles. With these he
retired to the opposite side of the street,
where the spectators stood, and he was
mournfully contemplating the effect Of
calorio upon alcohol when he suddenly
started and exclaimed
"Good Godl Injin Mary's in the loft
over the saloonP'
"Who's that?" asked the deacon, who
had Joined the crowd.
"She's-well, not exactly one of your
kind, deac'n," replied Jim. "she come
las night with her young un an want
cd to sleep thar till mornin.'
"some poor, depraved creature,
s'pose," sighed the deacon.
"Well, said Jim, prudently massing
on his front most of his outlying bot
ties, 81 reckon Injins in general was off
huntin when religion was give out.
deac'n, an Mary amt no better'n the
rest. But anybody's too good to be
roasted, leastways in this world" con.
tinued Jim Slipson, remembering the
deacon's groundworks OF belief and
treating them with polite Difference.
f'She doesn't intend to risk hers now
at any rate" exclaimed the major as a
dark figure dashed out of the flames,
and rolling on the ground to extinguish
its flaming clothing disclosed the cop.
perry, dull, heavy, impassiva features Of
Indian Mary
"Hooray!' shouted the crowd. Mary
had been seen very often at SpuItip, but
never before had Spurtip felt itself call
ed upon to exhibit any respect for her.
1t was evident that Mary had been
asleep or drunk, or both, for she stood
stupluly rupplnS ner eyes 1or seFeral
moments.
Didn't you say she bEought child
with her?" asked the professor of Jim
Slipson.
Good God. yesp' exclaimed Jim,
seizing Mary by the shoulder and shak-
ing her violently. ''Mary! Mary
where's the young un2"
Mary stopped rubbing her eyes and
stared vacantly at Jim for a moment.
Then she uttered a piercing scream and