Saint Mary's beacon. [volume] (Leonard Town, Md.) 1867-1983, 1899-05-18

eagerly looked at the two men as il
they expected to see fight. Jack
roared ont in q voice that could be
heard half mile:
Gents, here's a Methodist psrson
who's honored rs by coming to
start Q revival. allus said sThe
Coyote never follows, she allus
leads. We're the fust saloon in
town to start prayer meeting as a
sideshow. The Parsons goin'. to
hev q chance to show his hand.
I'm goin' to be the Deacon of this
protracted meetin'. If anybody
tFise AR7 fanny business with the
80 - - eeftlo vith Che
Deacon. Sees When the rzrson
wants somabody to come forrud and
get converted, I'll make one Of my
bsrtenders 60, and you can stand
around and see the show. Now,
Parson, fire away. II you've got
any gospel that'll reach this crowd,
it'll hev to be like whisky, hot and
strong
The preacher sprang upon a
table and began to sing a Gospel
song. His voice was full and pow
erful and the air was popular war
ballad. The chorus was simple and
ell we're urged to join in singing it.
10 less than five minutes half the
crowd were singing as Justify az
class leaders and pounding time
With their tists upon the card tables.
After the hymn was sung, q short
prayer was offered and the sermon
began. 1t was plain, fervent, man
ly talk, straight from an earnest
heart. The preachers face was
sympathetic. his voice was tender
at times and then it rose in q ring
ing tone like the blast of a trumpet.
The words were simple, bold and
true. He plainly told them of the
danger Of sin, the certainty Of PEN
atty for the sinner, and ended with
an exhortation to regain the inno-
cence and purity of their childhood
days. He was in the midst of q
pathetic picture Of the fsr-awsy
home, where loved ones were think
ing. weeping and praying for the
wicked wanderer, and the crowd
was hanging il breathless silence
upon his words An angry alter
cation was begun at the foot Of the
preacher. 1t was fierce and brief.
'An old man with the face of q
demon and the form of giant was
playing cards with q young lad with
long curly hair and the sweet limo.
cent face Of q girl. The giant was
called slippery Dick He was the
terror Of the town. He was such q
trickster with cards
that every game was deliberate
upon his part. The lad
was called The Baby because OF
bis face and curls. When the two
sat down to play, every one IN the
saloon had said to his neighbor
what q fool The Baby is to
try to play cards with Slippery
Dick
'The death like silence which
stirred only by the low, gentle
voice of the preacher. was broken
in upon by The Baby's clear boy.
ish treble:
You're O cheat =
slippery Dick rosred with the
fury of q mad bull
You're q liar =
Both sprang to their feet. The
old man snatched his revolver from
bis belt. The hammer caught in
the fold Of his flannel shirt, and
before he could loosen it, the young
man was upon him with the spring
of q tiger. The little hand, as
strong as steel, grasped the giant
by the throat, q huge bowie knife
flashed in the light, and she next
second was buried in the old mans
heart. He sank back in his chair,
killed instantly. Before q man
could stir, Jack had pressed q re-
volver against The BsbY's' breast
and shouted
Move, and you're q dead man p
The young man cody folded his
arms and said in ringing voice
He cheated me and I've killed
him. Do what you please
THAT 10 so,' said the Psrson,
whose sermon had been 80 suddenly
interrupted. The old man has
cheated in every move he, has made.
His sleeve 10 full of cards
Jack gave orders to search the