Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1897-03-10

the rejoicing youth. At the very back
Of the house Teddy's mother, thin,
discouraged looking woman in shabby
weeds, pushed her way into the aisle
and made to 60 to her son. Before she
had got half way Nina Winfold flung
herself over the pew in front of where
she sat, darted up the passway and
caught Teddy's hands in her own, her
face working, tears raining over it.
Miss Winfold gasped once, then sat
suddenly down, limp and livid, 80 wild
was her rage. The stir of Nina's exploit
had set those very far back to standing
on the benches instead Of the floor. Nj
ma was by no means unconscious OF the
interest she had evoked, though her ex-
cited feelings were really beyond con-
troll. She was by nature i'll balanced, by
temperament hysterioal. Besides her
best girl friend was Sophy Ann Brazzle-
ton, who had got religion at the same
time Nina did, yet had been shouting
ever since.
Nina meant no longer to be outdone
by Sophy AIMS precocious saintliness.
Then, too. she was stirred by the SER
mon, still more by the sight OF Teddy
among the redeemed. Alice, she knew,
would be mad about it. so would her
mother, but neither Of them would
dare take her to task while the revival
lasted. They would fear what she
might tell to the church folk, especial
" Mrs. Talbot. And afterward-that
was a long way off-no matter what
came then, Nina felt that to be the her
oine Of night like this paid for very
many snubs and much reviling in the
bosom of her family.
As Teddy saw her and gripped her
hands he shouted louder than ever. A
contagious thrill ran through the ex-
cited throng. Old Brother Baxter, who
had raised the tunes for half century,
struck up in his deepest bass:
"Savel ssvel Save, Lordl
Send converting power downi
Save, my dear Lordl"
Instantly the simple monoohord SWELL
ed from every throat. Three more peni-
tents sprang up, shouting aloud in the
joy of new hope. Friends and kinfolk
crowded in to embrace them and wiring
the hands Of the Christians about. Other
penitents half ran, half fell, up the
ohoked aisle. The air seemed to pulse
with electric feeling. Brother Walton
prayed without ceasing, now at this
bowed head. now at that. Brother Green
did not stir from his chosen penitent, a
big, rough fellow, who had come to the
altar as though dragged by invisible
hands.
He was Matt Taylor, the blacksmith,
famed the countryside through for
strength, skill and wickedness. He had
not moved from the spot where he fell
rather than knelt upon first reaching
the altar. Strong, slow sobs shook him
from head to foot. His hand was clinch-
ed hard upon that Of the minister. Now
and again he spoke thick word Of
hopeless supplication.
Lord" came dry and gasping, II
ain't-wuth savin! You know that
you-know- y-thinR-an-Iha had er
good-mother! She was good-mighty
good! I-ain't never been-no credit ter
her-but she said-it was her last word
you loved me-better'n she did. /
tried ter fergit-but-it staid with me
it fetched me-herel Lord, save me-
eff you choose-ef you do love me-like
she said! Ef-you don't-I'm lost
world without-end. Save me! Save
me! Jesus Christ, save mel'
Amen and amen arose on every hand,
though the good people had not heard
his haltipg words. None but the all
hearing ear indeed might have Olsen.
tangled them from the massed confu-
sion of sound about. The blacksmith's
wife sat amazed in fear and trembling
hope. He was not actively unkind to
her when he was sober. That was about
one day in seven. The other six she spent
in making fair weather for his uncer-
tain temper, and often got blows as q
reward of her endeavors. She had been
church raumber when she married
him. but since he had refused steadfast-
ly to give her money for church dues
she had kept away from services until
she was hardly counted a Methodist.
1t had almost taken her breath when
he babe her get ready to come with him
to Bethel tonight. She did not know
how for weeks something Brother Green
had said had been ringing in her hus-
band s mind. The minister's horse cast
a shoe one Sunday as he was riding past.
He had routed out the smith to save the
beast from going lame. Matt had boast
ed ever since he was grown that every
minister thereabout was afraid to face
him and name religion. Brother Green
did not name it, but at parting he said {:
"Thanky. Matt, for an excellent job.
I've heard of you all around here-how
we'll you knew your business-yes, and
some other things. One is that you new
er take dare. Now, dare you to come
and see if | know my trade as we'll as
you do yours. -
Matt had dared, with this result. His
wife, trembling and crying in stifled,
hopeless fashion, longed inexpressibly
to 90 to her beloved tyrant, but feared
him too much to make forward step.
He might repulse, might even strike,
her. She sat close, quite hidden in the
mass Of standing people. A sudden
great shout made her start electrically.
She knew; she understood. AS he had
reviled him, her husband was praising
God in the fullness of his great strength,
in the face Of all men. If only she might
reach him! But how could she move?
She sat down limp, kalf senseless, when
some one parted the throng about her,
some one slim aud linht of foot 1uho