The Lambertville record. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1872-1968, 1898-04-27
reception was open to misoopesption.
and the subject dropped.


clean as whitewash and soap could
make 1t and only wanted the presence
of the parson to make it complete.
The excitement grew intense rs the
hour drew near when the coach WAS
due, eliminating in mighty cheer
when tho driver finally pulled up oppo-
site the saloon. Several passengers got
down, but no one answering to the de-
scription of q strong man left tho coach.
Finally Texas Joe said to the driver.
Say, where's your new parson?'
There, sitting on his trunk. - re-
piled the man, with grin on his face.
All eyes turned toward young, slen-
der looking man, who. with eyes twin
king with amusement, was watching
his new congregation. Seeing that some
thing was expected of him, he came for
ward and held out his hand.
Men Of South City," he began, in u
clear. musical voice, II have been sent
up here to act, If you will have me, as
your new parson. Something tells me
we are going to be good friends, and It
Won be my fault If we aren't. There
lots for mo to learn from you and per-
haps | can do little for you too. "
His face was SO boyish, his hair SO
curly and such an air of sincerity and
truth seemed to surround him that the
miners. although deeply disappointed.
felt their hearts go out to him.
one sultry afternoon the parson of
South City was sitting in his room. ~
prey to the deepest depression. With all
tho eageness that youth and zeal could
supply he had done his best to raise his
people. and he had failed and he knew
1t. lie saw his minors. Mt first shame
lessly and then openly, stay away from
his little church. and his heart wis sick
within him, He was wondering il it
We're worth while staying on when his
door was suddenly opened and woman,
disheyeled and wild eyed rushed in.
Oh, parson, save my hnyl" she
gasped. and sank ON To chair, breath
less with her haste.
Why, Mrs. Mace, what on earth is
the matter Is your son ill.," he asked
eagerly.
No, sir, he ain t i'll, but he's worse
nor thnt-tho mon are going to hang
him. -
What for? Surely no hasn't been
tried. What has no dono?n
Well, sir, " walled the woman
hes got into bad company lately and
"a man accused him of horse stealing,
nnd--and -. looking fearfullv around
its true. sir. -
Young and inexperienced IA he was
in the ways Of IA frontier camp the par
son knew that horse stealing was one Of
the deadly sins, and his face grew pale
as death.
I'm afraid, Mrs. Mace, that II the
men have decided to hang your son no
word Of mine would stay them.
i" And you, minister. to say that to
me, motherl Why, it's none the less
murder, and you know 1t oh. sir, -
she pleaded, "there's yet time to catot
| them npl For Code sake, Whose wore
you preneh, try and save my boyi Viii
no ono help II poor motherP" She wep
bitterly, while tho parson In imagina
ton felt himself defying the mob, and
also IN imagination saw the ghastly
tragedy that would onsue on his inter
ference
Come Mis- Mace, lot us 40 and
hurry, aud perhaps we may do some
good y SEEING his hat, he ran from
the room and followed the crowd Of
miners whom he saw were making for
some t4,es about half mile out of
town. When he finally caught up to
thom, all the grim preparations were
made for the execution. The rope was
around tho shivering youth neck Six
stalwart men held tho loose end, ready
at signal 10 launch tho criminal into
eternity With his boyish face flushed
with excitement, the parson pressed TO
tho front and stood side by side with
the man about 10 die. A silence fell ON
tho throng. broken by Texas Joe. who
said " Now, parson, this mint no place
for you. Judge Lynch has had his say,
and Jim Mace In going to ho hanged.
and that y 80. "
And who are you to take upon your
self to judge aud to execute? Don :
scowl Mt mo and finger your gun, for
I'm an unarmad man, and you know it,
Have not you enough blood ON your
hands already without killing this boy
who has broken your laws? Give him
ono more chance, and you may be glad
yourself Of il one day. 50
The fury that occasionally comes over
men Of quite meek dispositions was ON
tho little man who stood dofying tho
whole mob His look seemed to daunt
even the men who held the rope, and 1t
hung loose about Mace's neck.
Joe saw his authority trembling in
tho balance, and with pistol raised said
Clear him out Of the way, boys. or II
shoot him where ho stands =
No You won't, Joe, said the par
sen undauntcdly. You know that
would be murder, and they don't love
you too much. even here, to stand that. "
No one spoke for moment; then the
Uornisbnian. Treleayan. shouted out:
"a life for life II the parson wants
Mace ia live, let him be hanged in
stead -
The mob thrank from this cold hloud.
| cd proposal, and, stizing the nsycholog-
$3.50 i'tif''N'itt 'Ai' laAi obii pAiPit' viz
ter from Maco's neck, placed it round
his own and said: eco, my lad, turn
over II new leaf and leave this town.
Go, and God bless your
| Theerowd opened. and Mace stumbled
away, looking neither to the right nor
| left leaving his rescuer standing with
moving lips in his place.
Then Texas Joe said, with an odd
| break IN his voice for which no could
not account; "Say. hoys-there amt
going to be no funeral today, you betl
Take off that neektie, parsou, and cal
culate South City will have to do with
| out yea in the future. We wrote TO
Frisco fdr strong parson. and may the
Almighty strike me dead if you amt u
bit too strong for Us. Give US yer fist,
parson, aud - significantly - good
by st Paul's
| L.. II . a.,