The Topeka state journal., 1897-12-25
''WHAR'S MOSBY %


zation, stuck against the shoulder of q
Kentucky mountain, is a little log build
ing where the simple mountain folks
gather to worship after the primeval
methods of the early church. Being called
to that neighborhood on business some
time ago, and being there on Sunday,
decided to attend services, as the old gem
tleman with whom was stopping was
one of the leading supporters of the church
and pressingly invited me to accompany
him.
ssEou won't see no fine, highherlootin
doinss at our place of worship - he said,
with good natured smile lighting his
rough features, but you II find folks that
believes in the good Lord, and tries to fol-
low his steps with the best lights they can
git ia their hands. -
The preacher was man named Penrod
Rev. Len Penrod-a man who, about
two years ago, achieved much national
notoriety for shooting at deacon while
engaged in fiery dispute over the efficacy
of pedobaptis1n.
The house was crowded with large,
rough looking men, in their shirtsleeyes;
young women in the glory of gay ribbons;
matrons in calico of sub6ued colors, and
with many varieties of little ones cluster
ed in bouquets here and there.
When Rev. Penrod arose to preach all
whispering stopped. Every eye was bent
upon him, and every ear was poised to
catch the words that fell from his lips.
The sermon was just the kind of an ad-
dress to stir the emotions-especiaIly those
of trusting, unlettered people. He dis
cussed no doctrinal points. He used no
circumIocution. He struck out in short,
crisp sentences that went direct to the un-
derstanding of the simplest intellect.
Withal, he was eloquent. His tones
were rich, modulated, stirring and mag
netic.
1t soon became evident he was reaching
the simple hearts of this emotional people,
in fact, the most cultured audience could
not have sat unmoved by his thrilling ap-
peals.
A number of rough men, I noticed were
smashing tears with the balls of their
thumbs Scores of women had their faces
in their aprons and were weeping audibly-
Soon young woman about 49, of beau
tiful face and figure, sprang out into the
center of the floor, and setting her large
dark eyes on the roof, gave a startling
scream. The people all turned their faces
toward her and encouraged her with
shouts of g Amen - and 50 Bless GOdI'
She first moved about in a slow, graceful
circle Then faster and faster she went,
until directly she leaped high from the
floor, smote her beautiful hands together
and shouted, "Glory, glory, gloryP' Then
around and around she whirled, almost as
fast a top, clapping her hands all the
while and shouting, Glory, glory, gloryP'
There was a rapt expression on her beau
6lIuI countenance as II she viewed through
the veil of sense a face in paradise.
Finally she halted and stood still for a
moment, her arms elevated and out
stretched and the seraphic expression still
fixed on her face. Then with wild shrek
she started for the door.
''Whar's Mosby?' was chorused aloud
by many throats.
At that instant the crowd toward the
door parted and in stepped a tall, hand
some, fine built man of about 40 years,
with iron gray hair and mustache.
He stepped toward the half frenzied
girl, took her in his arms and eased her
down to a bench. He sat down by her
side and her head fell over on her shoul-
der. In that position she lay, seemingly
ly unconscious, until the sermon was
through.
There was no more notice taken of her
by the congregation. When the meeting
was over, the man stroked her forehead
several times with a tender palm, spoke to
her in a low voice for moment when she
aroused herself and fixed for starting home.
As soon as we were a short distance
away, inquired of my old friend 1 had
accompanied the meaning of this novel
proceeding and the cry of Whar's Mosby2'
''That has been a cry familiar in church
here for % years, he said.
''It was cry long afore the girl was
born. Her mother many years ago was
just like her-a pirty, fine lookin gal,
the mother was in love with Mosby. New
er cared for no one else.
''When she would take them shoutin
tanterims like the gal took today an was
about to take what we call the jerks it
was found that Mosby was the only person
thet could stop her and keep the jerks off.
Every meetin she'd take a spell, an the
shout would go up as it did today, 'Whar's
Mosby?'
1.-The mother, Of course, wanted to mar
ry Mosby, but her father put in big OBJ
jection, sayin that no man who never
owned coon dog or still could have
gal of his. Mosby an the gal persisted,
an finally the ole man shot at him an
drove him outen the country.
soon arter that the ole man, arter
forcin the gal to marry Lon Peterson, his
partner in the moonshine business, turned
up his ole trotters, gaped time or two
an died.
''In the course of time Mosby came
back. His ole sweetheart he'd saved from
the jerks SO often was married an had
little gal baby-the one that shouted to-
day.
''Waal, soon arter he come home he
went to church one day an his ole fame
wuz thar, an would, of course, shout.
People wuz ali eager to know what would
be the outcome.
''Soon arter the preacher begun Mrs.
Peterson got in. She kep' on an on an
on, an folks got uneasy. Her husband
worked with her, but he didn't have no
innoonee at all with her. Her eyes got
CLASSY and skearry lookin at last, an
then all the people shouted:
g 'Nhar's Mosby?'
stAIosby come forward, mighty ti1nid,
an took holt. She jist melted down in
his arms, an he eased her to the bench.
Her head fell over on his shoulder an
then roll off like ball 1t KEEP roIlin of,
an rollin off, till finally we got uneasy.