Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1897-07-29
THE PREACHERS SWEETHEART.

A light shone from the open door
of the low log structure that answered
the double purpose of church and
school-house. The CLEAN fell upon
the yellowish leaves of a paw-paw tree
that stood close to the path that led
to the door. Beyond the paw-paw
was an irregular mass that moved
restlessly in the darkness. Observed
closely it would have resolved itself
into number of horses tied to sap
lings, and stepping about nolselessly
as thev stretched their heads toward
the tempting leaves beyond their
reach.
Divine service was going on IN the
log building, and the tones of the min
lister floated ont into the darkness IN
solemn cadence. ften they were in
terrupted by a deep-grunted "A-a-a-
men !" or "U-m-m-a-h? Vas, Lord J!
the manner in which many worshipers
expressed their appreciation of the
preachers utterances. A mounted
figure came close to the shaft of light
and dismounted. AS he did so the
stamping of the restless horses reached
his ears. Noiselessly he made his
horse fast to redbud stem, and crept
through the bushes to where the un-
easy equines were tied.
He passed from horse to horse, feel
ing swiftly over each, as if in the dark
ness his hands were doing duty for
eyes in revealing the merits or demer-
its of each animal.
The voice ofthe preacher came clear
and strong to the ears OF the man
among the horses. He listened mo-
ment as the voice told him, in simple
words, the sweet truths Of the Bible.
Somehow the words Of the good Book
seemed to the man in the darkness to
be addressed directly to himself, and
presently, as he listened, he removed
his old slouch hat as reverently as II
he had been within the sanctuary.
Then, as the words Of invitation
rang out clear and sweet, the man by
the horses removed his hand from the
neck of a little mare and muttered
preacher is a sumner, shore. Reckon
I'll leave flly. Might belong to the
preacher, an bein preacher, o
course it's the only hoss he's got.
AS he returned to his own animal,
he paused again to listen. Presently
he dropped the hand that was untylng
the bride and strobe into the bar OF
light that shone from the open door.
I'll try it" he muttered. ben a
long time sence I've set in church.
His slouching entrance was hardly
noticed by the congregation of shock
headed men and sallow-faced women,
go attentive were they to the preach
ers utteranees.
The preacher was a small, pale-faced
man, plainly, almost shabblily dressed
and as he stepped awkwardly back and
forth behind the rude pulpit, the last
conner saw that he was lame.
Presently he lose and slouched out,
and, mounting his horse, dashed away
down bride path, whittier he knew
nor cared. Presently some small ami
NAL sprang from the path, and the
horse swerved to one side, and the
next moment there came blow on
the riders head as if the great hack
berry tree stretched far above had
fallen upon him. Then, as he fell
from the horse, the animal kicked the
unconscious man before he had touched
the earth.
An hour after, the pale-faced preach,
er, limping along the path, almost
stumbled over the PROSTATE fgnre be-
meath the blackberry. The old slouch