The Cape Girardeau Democrat. (Cape Girardeau, Mo.) 1876-1909, 1898-02-05
Sir ToDy's Church.
SN-~-~J~J"
BY OPIE READ.


CENERAL times within the memory
y of men not yet old have troops of
state militia been sent into Light
county TO put down the spirit of viO-
lent instruction. Once the Light
horns objected to Matt Proctor, who
had been elected sheriff, and stormed
his office with sledge-hammer and gun;
and Cd another occasion the commu-
nifty arose to mob a surveyor employed
to sight a line for a railway. Upon
the whole, and without hating 10 give
instances, Light county was a pre-
cinct of outlawry and moral darkness.
Years ago an old log church stood near
the roadside at Blue Springs, not far
from the geographical and iniquitous
renter of the county. And why in
iquitOus center, with a church at
hand? The egg of much dev;lmert
had been laid and Matched in that old
church. at the dead of night, while the
l~aw-abiding citizen of the county was
sound asleep with his pistol under his
head. One night a rough dance vas
given therein. 1t was mastered by
he Lighthorn boys. and the law was
afraid to open its mouth in objection.
though it was n disgrace and an out
rage upon these who believed IN the
Lord. The dance was At its height.
and Abe Lighthorn was cutting high
sapers with Betty Sewers. when IL
stepped old man Dagley. deacon Of the
church. In his arms he carried a
bundle of split wood and n wisp CT
hay. He put his burden into a corner
and began TO pile beEch-legs ard pieces
of board about i.
What are you goin' to do?" Abe
Lighthorn asked, leaving eff his high
capers.
oh the Old man answered. lock-
ing up with a smile as sharp as Il
crack in Il roZen gOud: 81 thought
I'd warm things up a little. looked
in as l was passin' an I lowed it
must be sorter chilly in here; ard
don't want the young folks TO catch
cold. The futur' hope of the commu-
nifty is in 4 bad box when the young
folks are %aiIin'." He struck 4 match
and held il to the hay.
Look out here. you old fool!"
Lighthorn cried. attempting to stamp
out the mounting blaze. The old
man showed him aside. This is my
house." said he. and l don't want you
to interfere with me. You are stronger
than | am. but my gun shoots just as
strong as yourn. an if you put cut
this ere fire. Wei both be mighty apt
10 use 'em. Step up. folks. if you are
chilly, an git warm. The stars are
oil out an the moons full. an l be-
lieve we'll have a sharp frost before
mornin'. Step up an git warm"
Lighthorn decided that it was best
to take things good-humored!y. so.
inviting his friends out, he permitted
the fire to burn: and in the light-no
dim. religious light. but a great glare
in the woods-the roughs and hoydens
danced till dawn fell upon the embers.
Another church was built. a small
house deep in the woods as if it were
hiding from the Lighthorns. But they
found it. but not to dance in. for ii
was too small. 1t was not, however,
too small to have fun with, so they
amused themselves by frightening the
meek preacher. He ran away, and
the deacon had sore trouble in pro-
curing another man with nerve enough
TO take the apostolic job. But finally
he found one.
In the Knob country was born a boy
child, early evincing the strong trait
of bull-headeGness. His mother had
read a romance. and she called the boy
Sir Tony Brown. Sir Tony grew into
a lusty lad, whipped boys older than
himself. snatched kisses from demure
and red-huShed maidens. and was pro- !
nounced 4 most promising youth. 1t
was agreed that it would be a cruelty |
10 fiatten him out on a farm; he was
born for a profession. But prepara-
ton required money. Finally his
mother, a widow by this time, decided
that he should preach the Gospel. lie
had powerful legs and a neck Ike a
bronze Vulcan. but strength was needed
bv the evangelist. He bent his bull
neck TO study, for in preaching the
youth saw an escape from manual la
Dor: and by the time he was well of
age. he was granted the privilege to
stand in the pulpit and groan al the sin
cursed world. His enemies respected
him. for he was a convincing boxer, and
his pistol shooting had been pro-
nounced a performance of wonderful
art. But he had put aside these pro-