The herald., 1896-01-05
TARANTULA jim, ZEALOT

81 have heard a report that Tarantula
Jim has been converted at the revival of
religion which is in progress at Frozen
Man." remarked Colonel Handy Polk in
a general way 10 the prominent citizens as
sembled in the office of Judge Struger, the
well-known Oklahoma jurist. "Wonder if
there is any truth in the rumors?"
''I'm trailing back from Frozen Man this
mornin'," replied Alkali Ike, IAN Pm yere
to say that it's shore fact. Taran,ula
Jim was snatched from the burnin' some
time last week, an is now a changed man,
full an complete. I'm sa'nterin' into the
sinnygog last night to see what sorter play
Jim makes after this yere new deal, an
gifts plenty evidence'that poor Jim is con-
verted without fall
"The obseques opens up all accordin' to
Hoyle. the choir chants, an SO on. Bime-
by the preacher warns up whole lot an
makes out a general invitation for all
hands to come forrard, which several do.
Things git hotter an hotter till it fairly
SMOKES, an the meetin' rings with the
hailelooyers of the snatched. Thar is old
brothers a-shakin' hands cordial, an sis
ters holIerin' glory like mad. The preacher
tears loose an thar is a general stampede
for the altar, an a regular hooraw of re-
joicil.'
up to this time Tarantula Jim sets
back, all saved an serene. an pours out
his voice in hallelooyers like he'd alwers
been used to it, But about now he sasshays
over to a stranger VINO hain't maxim no
play nor sayin' nuthin', which same,
learns later, is one Bilious Pete, from
Coyote City, or somwhurs over 'hal-a-way,
who has been a-rningliu' in this yere evival
goin' on five or eight nights without openin'
his head or showin' his hand.
"'Looky yere, poiner,' says Tarantula,
addressin' of him some polite an kurtyus,
'hain't you about ready to make a break
an a'nter up to the altar, same as other
people?'
"'No, | reckon not says Pete:
"'An' reckon you air. says Tarantula.
You've been hangn' back on your larlat
long enough. Tn admirin tEoughtfulness a
| whole lot. but bullheadedness is scme diff
ferent. This yere salvation is free and
plenty; come along and git yer share!'
"'Ah, shucks! says Pete, plenty scorn-
full: i hain't takin' no speshul stock in this
yere gospel busineSs-good enough for
wimmen an children, but mighty weak an
piddlin' for grown men,
"'lt is, harp says Tdrau ula. Il deem
mvself grown man. an l don't find il
none weak for me. You take your choice
an git what you pick; you pints for glory
OF netls just as yOu--
"'Hush!' snorts Pete. Thar amt no
hellr
"'The devil thar hain'tr says Tarantula,
drawin up his belt another notch.
"'That's whatever said.' says Pete.
"'You're liar!' says Tarantula. There
isr
"'You're fool says Pee.
"An' with that they tangled. People,
l'm sangulne that it is the prettiest fight
! while it lasts that have had the pleasure
of witnessin' in two years! It's bffi Y.
bang, hooraw, boys, hoorav, for jest about
as long as it takes 10 tell il, and then Pete
changes his mind, promp* an unanimous.
Thar is a hell! says he, all the same
as a Kickapoo war cry.
"An' when TaranIula riz an gave him
room, the way Bilious Pete swarms up to
The altar is ekil to a stampede Eh-yah
It's dead safe play to say that Tarantula
! Jim is a converted man. .,i-tunk.