The Cape Girardeau Democrat. (Cape Girardeau, Mo.) 1876-1909, 1898-02-05

49,
Of his nature, and was therefore strong.
And it was Sir Tony whom the dea-
cor found. The old man made no effort
to give a 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 1 reckon you have in front of
you the place you have been wantin'
to fird. But I'm afraid that I haiH't
made it out as bad as ii is. The Light
horns, with the help OF a little Ticker,
may go so far as to lay mighty violent
hands IN 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 10 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 n and the same. And to
others lie 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, 80 miles from Alas meeting house,
TIE name of the new church. He as
sured the deacon that he would be on
time. and then urging him to remain
Il 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"
".All enemies of the Lord are re-
spectfuily requested to meet at Alas
next Sunday al ten O'clock"
AN exhibition of a lively and ONE
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 bandagcs with you
to meeting at Alas next Sunday"
The notices were put up; the pee
PIE marvc,ed. and in groups at the
store discussed the strange invitations.
The deacon was applied to for light,
but he hid it under his buShri Of eva
sion. Months had passed, and the pco-
PIE had felt no sensation. There had
been killings, but they were well with
in the limits of the ordinary. Between
:wo acquaintances. meeting in the
road, this form of co!loquy was not
rare:
Iii, Dave"
"IIo. Bill"
Any new out yo' way??"
"Nothin' unusual. Well, ! must be
go;n'. Wait a mint. Let me see.
On. yes. Tom .Atcherson killed Old
Pruitt at the mil yesterday"
That so? What's the price Of aigs
GU: yo' way??"
Such information was commonplace.
but in the church notices there was a
thrill Of true excitement. The county
had been so dull and sluggish of late
that the ~peaccable citizen had forgot
ten to put a pistol under his pillow.
Even The state militia would have been
welcomed As 4 change. And now the
nCighborhOoG was blessed with n sen
%sation. Abe L]i9hthorn rode abroad.
gleefuI in his saddle. and he tod ac-
quaintances that if they would only De
on hand he would promise them Il good
time. The day came. The weather
bad been wet, but the cloud-curtain
WAS ripped asunder and the sun burst
forth. The woods rang with merri-
ment. The people were taking their
~oOd-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
grunted in derision.
Wait said their leader. Lets give
him Il chance to cut his shines. Ireckon
he will open by abusin' u.s."
Sir Tony mounted the log step at
the door. He bowed 10 the men and
smiled upon the women. Then he
took from his pocket a number of
small apples and gave them to the
deacon. whispering something to him.
That's a funny caper," said n of
the L~ighthOrns.
Wait" Abe commanded.
The preacher drew out a pistol. The
threw an apple high in the air.
went the pistol, and the apple
fell. shattered. Up vent another
apple. Down it came in fragments.
This was kept up till all the apples had
smashed. Hes a 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 l~eisurely
into the pulpit, took out two pistols and