Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1899-08-29

IL good afternoon ye, Mister Par
soni Mol Ye don't pass till I'm done
wi yel" cried the man, who had been
drinking heavily, though he was too
seasoned to show any unsteadiness in
gait.
The curate drew back. o.what do
you want7'' he asked. He was painfully
white now.
What do 1 wantf repeated the
bully, following up the question with a
volley of oaths that made thelittle man
shudder. ''I'll tell ye what l want
want yer apology he fumbled with
the word-''a apology fer interferin
tween a father an his kid. But licked
him more n ever for yer blasted inter
ferin. "
''You internal cowardf" exclaimed
st. John.
His opponent gasped.
''Let me passF said the curAte.
No. ye don'tl" cried the other, re-
covering from his astonishment at hear
ing strong word from the parson,
st, john gazed hurriedly about him.
The path wound across the moor,
through the green and purple of the
heather. cutting low hedge here and
there and losing itself at last in the
heat haze They were alone.
The bully grinned I've got ye
nowr
lyon have indeed, said ST John.
peeling off his black coat and throwing
it on the heather His soft felt hat fol-
lowed. Then he slipped the links from
his cuffs and rolled up his shirt sleeves.
while his enemy gasped ut his proceed
ings.
'.Now. I'm ready" said the curate
gently.
"Are ye goin to fight" burst ont the
other, looking at him Gs Goliath might
have looked at David. Come on, We
But the foul word never passed his
lips, being stopped by IL carefully plant
ed blow from small but singularly
hard fist The little curate was filed
with wild. unholy joy. He had not
felt like this since his college days. He
thanked Providence for his friends, the
Indian clubs and dumbbells. which had
kept him in trim the past three years
The blood sang in his veins as he circled
round Goliath. guarding the giant S
brutal smashes and getting in stroke
! when occasion offered. 1t was not long
ere the big man found himself hopeless
ly outmatched; his wind was gone; his
jaw was swollen, and one eye was use
less. He made final effort and slung
out terrific blow at David. Partly
parried. it caught him on the shoulder
telling him to the earth. Now. surely
the victory was with the Philistine
But, no. The young man recoiled to his
feet like young sapling, and the next
that Goliath knew was. ten minutes
later, when he opened his available eye
and found that his enemy was bending
over him, wiping the stains from his
face with a fine linen handkerchief.
Feel better" said the curate.
'Well, Tim
"Hush. man; it's not worth swear
ing about, interposed his nurse.
''Now. get up.
he held out his hand and assisted the
wreck to it's feet.
YOU'D better call at the chemist s
and get patched up Here's money"
The vanquished one took the silver
and gazed stupidity at the giver. who
was making his toilet.
''Please go away and don't thrash
your boy any more, said ST John per-
suasively
Goliath made few steps, then re-
traced them, holding out grimy paw.
mister Parson. I'm-I'm''-
''Don't say another word. Goodby. Z"
And the curate shook hands with him
The big man turned away. Presently
he halted once more. 'I'm beatl" he
said. 1t had to come. Then he shambled
homeward
st. John adjusted his collar. gave his
shoulder rub and donred his coat and
hat. AS he started toward the village a
girl came swiftly to meet him.
''Oh. John. John. you are Splendid
she gasped as she reached him. 81
watched you from the hedge yonder "
81 am exceedingly sorry. Miss Ed
miston, - said the curate coldly. raising
his hat and making to pass on.
Nancy started as though he had
struck her. Her flush of enthusiasm
paled out. In her excitement she had
forgotten that event of week ago, but
the cutting tone of his voice reminded
her. She bowed her head. and he went
on his way. He had gone about so
yards when she called his name. Her
voice just reached him. but something
in it told him that he had not suffered
alone.
He turned about and hastened to her.
Exchange
Putting food into a diseased stomach
- into m oNe a Isas pocFet with with