Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1898-04-12

to give . smooth picture of rough
pathway. Sir Tony smiled at the
danger. He said that he would really
like to fight for the Lord. lot merely
the fight Of polemlc contention. but
the fight. il needs be. of red blood and
blue bruises.
'Then / reckon you have in front of
you the place you have been wantin'
to find. But I'm afraid that | hain't
made ii out as bad as it is. The Light
horns, with the help of little Ticker,
may go SO far as to lay mighty violent
hands on you"
"Ah, and this will give me an oppor-
tunity to thank the Lord for the
strength He has given me-
"Ah, but they may come with their
guns. If in public you have said any
thin ag'in their unlawful practices.
and may shoot at you"
"Then," said Sir Tony. 81 shall
have just cause to congratulate my
self for having learned to shoot"
"Ah," calculated the deacon, ''the
Lord chooses in His own way. To
some He says pray ye,' and to others
He lows"
Says" the preacher corrected him.
"It's all ene and the same And TO
others He says:: He that hath no
sword, let him sell his raiment and
buy one We have tried Parson Pray
and he has failed. and now we are goin'
to try Brother Sword"
Arrangements were made. Brother
Sir Tony lived in an adjoining coun-
ty, 30 miles from Alas meeting house,
the name of the new church. He as
sured the deacon that he would be on
time, and then urging him TO remain
few moments longer wrote out, upon
impulse, the following notices to be
posted on trees in the neighborhood:
Don't fail to attend services at Alas
next Sunday. The steel of the Gospel
may strike fire from the flint hoofs of
Satan"
"All enemies OF the Lord are re-
spectfully requested to meet at Alas
next Sunday at ten o'clock"
IAN exhibition of lively and some
what noisy nature will be given in front
Of the door at Alas next Sunday be-
fore the regular services begin. Come
one. come all. Doctors are especially
invited"
Bring lint and bandages with you
TO meeting at Alas next Sunday"
The notices were put up; the peo-
pie marveled, and in groups at the
store discussed the strange invitations.
The deacon was applied TO for light,
but he hid it under his bushel Of eva
sion. Months had passed, and the peo-
pie had felt no sensation. There had
been killings, but they were well with
in the limits of the ordinary. Between
two acquaintance, meeting in the
road, this form OF colloquy was not
rare:
"Hi. Dave"
"Ho, Bill"
ANY news out yo' way?"
"Nothin' unusual. Well. / must be
goin'. Wait a mint. Let me see.
oh, yes, Tom Atcherson killed old
Pruitt at the mill yesterday"
THAT so? What's the price of aigs
on. yo' way?"
Such information was commonplace,
but in the church notices there was
thrill of true excitement The county
had been so dull and sluggish of late
that the peaceable citizen had forgot
ten TO put pistol under his pillow.
Even the state militia would have been
welcomed as a change. And now the
neigh borhood was blessed with sem
sation. Abe Lighthorn rode abroad,
gleeful in his saddle, and he told ac-
quaintances that If they would only be
on hand he would promise them good
time. The day came. The weather
had been wet, but the cloud-curtain
was ripped asunder and the sun burst
forth. The woods rang with merri-
ment. The people were taking their
good humor TO church. The deacon
had come early TO unlock the door.
But no one entered the house. Men
and women waited for the exhibition
outside. The preacher rode up. The
Lighthorns grunted in derision.
Wait" said their leader. Lets give
him chance to cut his shines. Ireckon
he will open by abusin' u.s.
Sir Tony mounted the log step at
the door. He bowed to the men and
smiled upon the women. Then he
took from his pocket a number of
small apples and gave them TO the
deacon, whispering something TO him.
That's funny caper," said one of
the Lighthorns.
wait" Abe commanded.
The preacher drew out pistol. The
deacon threw an apple high in the air.
Crack, went the pistol. and the apple
fell, shattered. Up went another
apple. Down it came in fragments.
This was kept up till all the apples had
been smashed Hes regular cider
mill for Dustin apples. Abe whispered
In establishment.
"Come into the house." the preacher
and they lost no time in