The Cape Girardeau Democrat. (Cape Girardeau, Mo.) 1876-1909, 1896-05-16

was foolish Of me, but 1 nay have
thought that he, being a parson, would
n0t actually strike me. Anyhow, l said
that If he wanted TO know what he was
l could tell him. l did tell him in four
words. l omit the words.
Never in my life have 1 had such d
thrashing as I got then. He hit only
with the open hand; if he had used his
fists he'd have killed ME. There was nc
getting away from him, and no giving
him anything back. 1t was dirg-dong
al owe my face and head until l
dropped in a heap. bleeding like a pig,
and nearly sick. 1t finished ME.
You're boss," 1 said. You can give
your orders. I only wanted to see"
He stood there smiling, as if he had
rather enjoyed himself.
Pick up your boots" he said. land
| put them on"
On entering the window l had my
boots hanging round my neck by the
laces; they had fallen of when he first
knocked me over. While l was putting
them on he turned back his cuffs and
washed his hands at the sink. When he
had finished he pointed to the sink.
There you are" he said. You can
repair damages"
was bleedig from my nose. and from
a cut lip. but the cold water 500
stopped that. When l had finished he
| asked me if I was all right.
Pretty WELL" I said. I'm a bit
shaky on the legs-that's all. You
| gave me a good doing"
Take the candle. then, and go in front
| Of me into the study. 1 expect you
know the way" OF course l did. Show
me the outside of any house, and the
inside is no puzzle 10 me.
He picked up my knife. the revolver.
and the small Jenny, and followed IN"
into the study. He lit the lamp, gave me
the knife back again. and locked the
revolver and the Jenny away in 4
drawer.
And row." he said, won't you sit
DOWN." He spoke TO me as if l were a
lady visitor. l sat down. and he. taking
a chair opposite me, began TO ill a little
old clay pipe.
i really can't MAKE this out" he said.
you're so small and clumsy. You've
got a nasty temper, but you're not very
plucky. What on earth made you thin!;
of trying to be a burgiar?"
Il don't know" l said. But there
one thing I'd like to ask you. and no dis
respect. What made you think of being
a parson-a nan OF your build and
strength. and so handy with your fists.
| ask pardon, but you might have done
better"
He didn't seem 10 take that as cheel,
ar all. For a ONE he didn't answer,
and sat sucking ms little clay. Then he
sighed and said: Il have sometimes
| thought SO myself. But it is quite GER
tain that you might have done better.
How did you come to this?"
Il had no bringing up, and I read
penny trashy novels"
He tapped his foot impatiently on tn"
carpet. We'll, well-go on"
Then 1 was led away by bad COM
panions and took TO drink and gam
bling, and not knowing what it was to
have a mothers tender"
He got up and interrupted me. wow
drop all that" he said. Il want facts;
tell ME the story of your life. How did
you come 10 this?"
Partly from admiring the man, and
partly from within, did not tell him the
story. and told him the plain truth too
II was pretty strong. but left nothing
out. and he never stopped me. When |
mad finished he thanked me.
Then" he said. coming of decent
people. and with a fair education and Il
good chance in life, you one the less
nave been from your earliest boyhOol
just about as bad as You are nOw-bad
all through-always bad"
THAT is about the mark" answered.
Then l thought to myself that it would
be one OF two things-either he would
take rie out and hand me over to the PO-
lice. or else he would ask me TO join him
in prayer. l expected The latter. He
did neither. He walked up and down
the room, with his hands behind him.
saving TO himself: And I preach SER
observation-disclosures" Suddenly
he smiled again in that queer way of
his. You've kept me up very late" he
said. land in consequence I've become
uncommonly hungry. What do you
say? Will you come and help me TO get
us some supper? Very well, then. come
quickly. I don't want to wake the rest
of the house"
So l went with him into the kitchen
and carried things from there into the
study. He laid the table-clean. white
cloth, silver forks and everything of the
best. There was a cold game pie, a ripe
Stilton, and a bottle of burgundy. l
never had a better supper in my life. He
passed me everything WANTED and filled
nv glass. For the life of me l couldn't
help grinning.
Now them" he said, whats amusing
you?"
Il was only thinking, that's all. 1t
seems a queer way for a person like you
TO treat a chap like me. came here to
crack this crib, You fairly get me, and
no word about the ~police-never a
word. First you give me a ~thrashing
and then you give me supper"
We'll, you can't deny that you want
ed them very badly. What else should
a parson have done? What did you eX-
! meet? Tell me honestly"