Audubon Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Iowa) 1894-1925, 1898-02-03

And it was Sir Tony whom the dea-
con found. The old man made no effort
to give smooth picture of a rough
pathway. Sir Tony smiled at the
danger. He said that he would really
like to fight for the Lord, not merely
the fight of polemic contention, but
the fight, if needs be, of red blood and
blue bruises.
Then l reckon you have in front of
you the place you have been wantin'
to find. But I'm afraid that hain't
made it 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.
Its all one 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"
speetfully requested to meet at Alas
next Sunday at ten o'clock"
| Gan 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:
eli, Dave"
| "Ho, Bill"
| ANY news out yo' way?"
| 'Nothin' unusual. Well, 1 must he
goin'. Wait mint. Let me see
Oh, yes, Tom Atcherson killed old
Fruitt at the mill yesterday
''That so? What's the price of aigs
cut yo' way?"
Such information was commonplace,
kut in the church notices there was a
thrill of true excitement. The county
kad been so dull and sluggish of bate
that the peaceable citizen had forgot
rem to put pistol under his pillow.
Even the state militia would have been
welcomed as change. And now the
neigh borhood was blessed with a SEN
sation. Abe Lighthorn rode abroad,
gleeful in his saddle, and he told ac-
guaintances 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-curtair
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
f, Lighthorns grunted in derisior.
| Wait" said their leader. Lets give
him chance to cut his shines. Ireckon
he will open by abusin' us.A
Sir Tony mounted the log step at
the door. He bowed to the men ard
smiled upon the women. Then lie
took from his pocket 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
commanded, and they lost no time in
| following him. He stepped leisurely
into the pulpit, took out two pistols and
placed one on each side of the Bible.
Then he s,lryeyed his more GA tiop