The Caldwell tribune. [volume] (Caldwell, Idaho Territory [Idaho]) 1883-1928, 1898-05-21
IL hut the minister only shook ais

ing their efforts to break up the meet
ing"
81 can only do my duty the preach
er replied. II will not forsake the
gospel that may save my life"
The brother said no more. but sat
down resigned. He knew those cowboys
and he pitied anyone who was so reck-
less as to cross them. That they would
shoot the preacher he was firmly con-
WINGED.
After awhile quiet was restored, and
again the minister attempted to speak,
but instantly the hubbub arose in all
its fury. The yells were louder and
deeper than before and pistols popped
thick and fast. Several lights were shot
out, leaving the tent in semi-darkness.
Others of the congregation stole away
and went home.
For a moment the minister stood in
deeply thoughtful attitude, then he
motioned to his little daughter, who
sat just below him. She came upon the
stand and he whispered few words
in her ear. She nodded and smiled,
then, stretching forth her hand to COM
mand attention, began to sing. The
song she sang was Home, Sweet
Home" At first only those Immediate
ly about her heard her voice, but by
degrees the noise subsidized and her
voice reached farther and farther out
over the tent. Within two minutes
death-like stiffness reigned.
The child's voice was soft and sweet,
and l doubt if any prima donna ever
put more feeling into that dear old
song than she put into it that night
1t was cry from the heart of the old
home, and not a repetition of another's
words. 1t was not song, but a long
ing desire-a piteoua plea. 1t went to
the heart of every person in that au-
dience and carried him back to other,
days. Even the cowboys began to
think over the past and to recall their
old homes in the east. They remem-
bered suddenly the old gray-haired
mother who had believed in Christian
lty and had found such comfort in it,
and of the old father who had lived
such quiet, peaceful life, finding his
greatest pleasure in reading the Bible.
mere was no more yelling, no more
jeering, but in breathless silence those
rough cowboys listened to that old
song. 1t had touched a tender spot
IN their hearts, and had subdued and
tanned them completely, and before it
came TO an end tears glistened in the
eyes Of more than one of them. At the
conclusion the minister arose and made
some appropriate remarks, keeping his
voice In tune with the sentiments the
singing had awakened. He spoke feel
lngly OF the old homes his auditors had
left in the east, of the happy scenes
OF childhood, and Of the great love and
goodness of the old father and mother.
lie carried his hearers back to those
old happy home days which no one
ever outlives. He warmed and softened
their hearts and brought tears to their
eyes.
Then he appealed to them in the
name OF Christianity, and drew beau
Liful picture of the great heavenly home
where many Of those gray-haired par
ents who had been left in the old earth
" homes had gone. He spoke for an
hour, and no one disturbed him. and
he cowboys leaned forward to catch
9Very word he uttered.
AT the conclusion of his talk they
lang an old fashioned hymn, and every-
body was invited to come I'D and give
heir hands If they desired to live bet
er lives.
Old Zeph Bowers was the first one to
ome forward, and he was Immediately
olloWed by the rest Of his crowd. They
we're all in earnest. too. Whether any
I them ever became religious I don't
now, but I do know that for the time
elng they were changed men. They
TENDED the camp meetings every
light, and they were as quiet and Or
erly as anybody in the audience.
mat song, which reminded them Of
heir old homes, and brought back To
lem the scenes of their childhood and
an" Quel4eu lnem be-
'uSe II touched the tenderest chord in
heir hearts, 1t awoke in +b6ir no
Tres the one fond memory which no
ian ever outgrows-home and its aao
I'd ties and associations. "''O
One little girl, with that sweat old |
ing, had accomplished what oil 49,
en in Dodge City could mot bonO O
one. She had tanned as If bv 80 .
lat crowd of lawless cowbovs ondS So'
ade lambs Of them. But No on ~ Ia r'IO =
cred at what she had done E,,o,,' ~.
1t, after hearing her that # con1d ~
i've been otherwise. NV
No amount of preaching M or,o-.
pleading Or raeso-,i,,.. UNI