The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1896-05-03
resist was simply to invite further agrees

dy.
Matters were in this shape when the
Presbyterian congregation called 10 their
pulplt Rev Francis Gladston. recent
graduate OF Princeton. No one had said
anything 10 him about the bette noir Ger
ror) OF the town, and. consequently, he
entered upon the discharge OF the duties
of his pastorate wholly unaware or the
existence Of such a man as Jamison.
The new minstera young man-turn-
ed out 10 be very popular, especlaiiy
with the young people. Fond OF athlet'c
exercise he would play baseball with the
youths and lawn-tennis with the girls
and go out sailing or rowing with eitheN
or both He would stop ana witness
foot-race between two little fellows, or
enter heartily into hoop-chase for haif
a block with them.
The elders feared. at times, that there
was too much levity In his disposition
for a successful preacher or satisfactory
pastor But when they listened 10 his
clear-cut diction on Sunday. and saw
the pews filled 70 OVERLOOKING. ana uis-
covered that not an III member OF the
congregation bad been left unvisited dH-
ring TIE week, they wisely withheld thelr
criticism.
The popularity OF Mr.. Giadston dld not
escape the observation OF Jim Jamison'
ard he concluded TO smite the new MIN
lister. hin and thigh, at the first oppor-
tunitv and hold him up to the public ridi-
Guile, il he did not drive him out or town.
The opportunity came sooner than ne
expected
one of Mr. Gladston's favorites. lad
~ "a hal been i'll with typhoid-fever.
but was now convalescent Mr.. Gladstoh
had called TO see the lad frequently du-
ring his illness, and finally promised 10
go nutting with him when he got strong
enough.
one day the boy was walking along the
street. with the aid OF cane, carrying
small backet OF flowers on his arm. In
front OF the barber-shop lie met the town
bully.
what you goin' to do with them
thines9r inquired Jim, indicating the
flowers with a motion OF his mead.
II am going to give them to Mr.. Clad
ston." said the lad, timidly.
NO you hai'nt."
And with that the bully gave the bas-
ket kick which sent IL into the street.
and threw tho weak boy of his feet'
into the gutter
GIVE the gospel sharp my compiler
ments instid" continued the Fellow.
Mr.. Gladston happened TO be sitting In
the barber-shOp with his coat of, await
ing his turn for shave. and witnessed
the assault With n bound he was out
on the sidewalk. picking his little friend
from the gutter Finding that the boy
was not harmed, Mr.. Gladston turned TO
Jamison who stood near, with MIS-
thumbs I'm the armholes OF his vest ana
a scowl on his face.
"That was q shameful act" said the
minister in low tone.
Jim straightened up, dropped his arms,
H. fists \ crowd
eun TO gather but all were afraid TO
warn the minister Of his danger IN the
dread presence, though some one was
seen reckoning to him frantically from
the vantage-g ground OF the barber-shop.
Then Mr.. GiadstoR continued, in the
same quiet tone, but taking htep nearer
the bully:
Pick up that basket OF flowers, and
return it to the lad with an apology
A more astonished man that Jamison
when he heard those words was never
seen I'm Melody. His answer was an oath,
and a furiousi blow. which he supposed
wopld knock Mr. GiadstOn further into
the street than the basket had gone.
Again the bully was surprised In place
OF triking the minister. bis dow had
been warded Off, and he was himself
struck on the jaw, and sent Keeling across
the sidewalk Recovering himself, ne
sprang toward his antagonist with the
fury OF a tiger But il was only 70 have
the operation OF having himself knocked
across the walk repeated. He could
neither strike the minister nor get near
enough TO him to grapple with him and
crush him I'm his powerful arms. The
game OF athletic skill against brute force
was soon ended. Blinded and bleeding,
the terror of Melody chung to the bar
mole. almost helpless. and in sulky ST.
ience. Then he started to sneak away.
"Stopg exclaimed Mr.. GladstOn.
The fellow turned.
pick up those flowers and apologize to
the boy
II won't"
you will"
The champion of the lad spoke In
way that made Jim look up quickly. His
own eyes were nearly closed but he saw
a flash I'm those of his late antagonist, the
meaning of which he now understood.
without another word. he gathered up
the flowers, put them In the basket, and
handed it to the boy, saying, I'm sorry"
Now. come here" continued Mr..
Gladston. taking him by the arm.
"Pve had enough. mister. Don't hit
me no more" whispered jim.
''I am not going TO hurt you" And,
lending him into the barber-Shop the
minister, before washing his own swollen
hand. placed Jim I'm a chair, and proceed
ed 10 battle his face aud neck. and wash
Off the clotted blood. This was another
surprise for jim, almost as great as the
first one.
When Mr.. Gladston had patched up
the abraslons he had made on his victim,
and had tied hts own cambria handker-
chief around the dscolored neck he es-
corted jim to the door. and, holding him
by the hand, said:
hand, said:
Il hold no grudge against you, none
nj all / shall be glad 10 be one OF your
friends Goodbye"
That was the end Of jim Jamison as
the town bully.-EXchanse
Locker frequently visited George Eliot
in her home: he thought her great but
unhappy woman. She did not always talk
of Shakespeare and the musical glasses,
but was fond of the vanities of this wick