The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1898-11-25
A SHOOTING PARSON.

For three years the Rev. Charles Mont
ford had been the guiding star of little
town in South Dakota. He came there
with his wife, gentle voiced woman Of
attractive appearance, announced himself
as an evangelist and began u series of
meetings.
The first week soma of the most reck
less and daring while out on one of their
wild escapadcs, perceived him coming
from meeting on Sunday night. They had
been drinking and had amused them
selves by shooting out the lights, then
whooping and galloping through the town
like wild Indians The sight of the good
man caused one to say:
Boys, let's have some fun with the
parson.
That was sufficient. They rode their
ponies upon the sidewalk and compelled
him to take the middle of the rond, where
they surrounded him, galloping in a ring
like equcstriaEs at n circus, shooting of
their rcvolvcrs and emitting yclls that
would have dazed any tenderfOot that ever
saw the woolly west.
They expected merely to friGhten the
pious man and see him trcmblo and plead
for his life, but he stood rs calm and I'M
moved as If in his pulpit. He removed his
hat, and the moon, shining bright and
full illumincd his face with a sort If
glory.
They saw him raise his eyes heaven
ward and his lips move rs ii in PRAYER
A gentle smile overspread his features
and gradually the whooping ceased. tie
ponies were refined in, and cs they halted
In u ring around him his Eonorous voice
rang out on the night air:
MAY God have mercy on your soulsr
The power of that voice was felt by cv-
cry man, and they looked at him with Il
sort of wonder. y moment Of intense 81
lence, and the man of God, following UP
his advantage, said solcmnly:
Let us pray
Knccling in the road he lifted UP his
voice i'll an impassionCd appeal that God
would change the hearts of these reckless
men and make them good and useful citi
zcns.
Involuatgrily they bowed their heads
and waited for him to finish. He arose
and gave them q cordial invitation to at
tend his meetings
II freely forgive you for your attempt
to intimidate Inc and assure you that l
was not in the least afraid-the Lord takes
care of his own. My faith in him protect
ed me, but might have depended on my
self and hit the mark every time TO
prove to you that l make no idle boast
will put hole through the brims of seven
hats"
So saying, he drew a seven shooter from
his hip pocket and, swinging around the
circle rapidly discharged seven shots The
astonished men heard the whir of the bull
lets past their ears, and, taking off their
wide felt hats, held them up for examina-
ton. The moon shone through hole in
each just two inches from the edge on the
left side.
They were filled with wonder Mt the
parsons GOODNESS, while they were trying
to scare" him, they were awestruck by
his eloquent prayer, but man who could
shoot like that commanded their profound
respect.
Good night, gentlemen. God bless
you" said the reverend man fervcntly.
"Goo3 night, parson," responded the
cowboys, and they wheeled around and
disappeared down tho road
well. if he amt the durndcst cuss /
ever run up a9ainstH snid one. who but
echoed the sentiments OF all.
After that his reputation was estab-
lishcd. The cowboys and ranchmen never
cane to town without making "a personal |
call upon the shooting parson," as he
was called, and attending some Of his
meetings. His fame spread abroad and |
invitations came from ncighboring towns
to hold rcvivals, and there was u cordial |
welcome for him everywhere.
lie helped the poor, nursed tho sick,
prayed with the dying and his power for |
doing good was simply marvellous. He |
seemed to understand the natures of these |
rough people ana knew how to win their
confidence He was never molestcd after |