Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1898-04-12
Sir ToDy's Church.
eN-~-~lN-~~-
BY OPIE READ.

I CEVERAL times within the memory
| - of men not yet old have troops of
state militia been sent into Light
county to put down the spirit of vio-
lent insurrection. Once the Light
horns objected to Matt Proctor, who
had been elected sheriff, and stormed
his Office with sledge-hammer and gun;
and on another occasion the commu-
nifty arose 10 mob a surveyor employed
TO sight line for q railway. Upon
the whole, and without hating to 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 Ubiquitous
center Of the county. And why in
iquitous center, with church at
hand? The egg of much devilment
had been laid and Matched in that old
church. at the dead of night, while the
law-abiding citizen of the county was
sound asleep with his pistol under his
head. One night rough dance was
given therein. II was mastered by
the Lighthorn boys, and the law was
afraid to open its mouth in objection,
though it was disgrace and an out
rage upon those who believed in the
Lord. The dance was at its height,
and Abe Lighthorn was cutting high
capers with Betty Sewers. when in
stepped old man Dagley. deacon Of the
church. In his arms he carried
bundle OF split wood and a wisp Of
hay. He put his burden into corner
and began to pile bench-legs and pieces
of board about il.
"What are you goin' TO do?" Abe
Lighthorn asked. leaving off his high
capers.
ooh" the old man answered. look
ing up with a smile as sharp as
crack in a frozen goud: Il thought
I'd warm things up little. looked
in as ! was passin' an | lowed il
must be sorter chilly in here; and !
dom; want the young folks TO catch
cold. The futur' hope of the commu-
nifty is in bad box when the young
folks are ailin'" He struck a match
and held it TO the hay.
LOOh Out sOh VIZ 4C1A-
Lighthorn cried. attempting TO stamp
out the mounting blaze. The old
man showed him aside. This is my
house." said be, "and ! don't want you
to interfere with me. You are stronger
than I am. but my gun shoots just as
strong as yourn. an II you put out
this ere fire. well both be mighty apt
TO use 'em. Step up. folks, If you are
chilly. an git warm. The stars are
all out an the moons full, an i be-
Iieve wen have sharp frost before
mornin'. Step up an git warm"
Lighthorn decided that it was best
TO take things good-humoredly, so,
inviting his friends out, he permitted
the fire to burn; and in the light-no
dim, religious light, but 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 II II were
hiding from the Lighthorns. But they
found il. but not TO dance in, for il
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-headedness. His mother had
read a romance, and she called the boy
Sir Tony Brown. Sir Tony grew into
lustv lad. whipped boys older than
himself snatched kisses from demure
and red-fuskad maidens. and was pro-
noupced most promising youth. 1t
,,..s agreed that il would be a cruelty
10 fatten him out on a rss.c; he was
born for a profession But pTsE@ra-
tion REQUIRED money. Finally his
mother. a widow by this time. decided
that he should preach the Gospel. BE
had powerful legs and neck Ike
1,r,rrs Vulcan. but strength was needed
~ ,be evangelist. He bent his bull
,ect IN study. for in preaching the
,.,,,tb saw an escape from manual Ia
bor. and by the time be was wen OF
ACE he was granted the privilege 10
sand in the pulpit and groan at the SIN
- World. His enemies respected
49,. - he was q convincing boxer. ard |
- n;s.oi shooting had been pro-
- ~ ! performance of wonderful
y. M. he had put aside these pro-
- ,,~.et;ces. and il must be aeknowi-
e5oed that be was sincere me pc
~ tha. he could accomplish gTea.
GOOD zoo by preaching he'd become /. ., PART
e y ~ nature. and was therefore strong
y IA /. was Sir Tony whom ne . rea.
- se.-s- The cd man made 20 ffiof'