Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1899-05-25

ply with a savage oath, according to
his usual custom, when the peculiar
garb and the distinguished bearing
of the questioner caused him to hest
tate and say:
q am sir; what can do for you?"
q am Methodist preacher, and !
would like permission to preach in
your saloon"
Preach in my saloon When ?"
said Jack in a tone of amazement.
Now said the preacher.
well, I'll be. I beg your par
don, parson, I'd almost said cuss-
word but preach il my saloon r. He
looked about and heard the clink Of
glasses, and banging of cards upon the
tables, the harsh laugh and the awful
oath, and said
q think, parson, you have come to
a mighty poor place to start revi-
val"
NO place needs it more, said the
minister, as he looked with respect
full but resolute glance into Jack sin
gle eye.
Let him preach, said the bartend-
er, who was glad to have his employ
er's wrath diverted from him. Let
him preach. 1t will be fun for the
boys.
Fun roared Jack I'D like to
see anybody make fun Of my guests,
Parson, fire away. I'll be deacon Of
this revival. If anybody dares kick
up row, I'll be
There, there, said the preacher
"deacons don't swear
Jack rang the huge bell with which
he signaled for attention when he had
an announcement to give. In few
seconds there was silence. All eagerly
looked at the two men as if they ex-
pected to see fight. Jack roared out
in voice that could be heard half a
mile
Here's a Methodist parson who's
honored US by coming to town to start
revival. I allus said the Coyote
never follows, she allus leads. We're
the first saloon in town to start a
prayer-meeting as a side-show. The
parsons goin to hev chance to show
his hand. I'm goin to be the deacon
of this protracted meeting. If any
body tries any funny business with
the parson, he'll have to settle with
the deacon. See? When the parson
wants somebody to come forward and
get converted, I'll make one Of my
bartenders 90, and you can stend
around and see the show. Now, par
son, fire away. Ifyou've got any gos-
pei thatll reach this crowd, it'll hev
to be like my whisky, hot and strong.
The preacher spIang upon a table
and began to sing gospel song His
voice was strong and powerful and
the air was popular war ballad. The
chorus was simple and all were urged
to Join in singing it. In less than five
minutes half the crowd were singing
as Justify as class-leaders and pound
ing time with their fists upon the card
tables. After the hymn was sung a
short prayer was offered and the SER
mon began. 1t was a plain, feryent
manly talk, straight from an earnest
heart. The preachers face was sym
pathetic, his voice was tender at times,
and then it rose in ringing tone like
blast of trumpet. The words were
simple, bold and true. He plainly
told them of the danger Of sin, the
certainly OF penalty for the sinner,
and ended with an exhortation to re-
gain the innocence and purity Of their
childhood days. lie was in the midst
Of a pathetic picture Of the faraway
home where loved ones were thinking,
weeping and praying for the wicked
wand.rer, and the crowd was hanging
in breathless silence upon his words.
An angry alteration was begun at the
feet of the preacher. It was fierce
and brief.
An old man with the face Of de-
mon and the form Of giant was play
ing cards with a young lad with long
curly hair and the sweet innocent
face of girl. The giant was called
Slippery Dick" He was the terror Of
the town. He was such a consummate
trickster with cards that every game
was deliberate robbery upon his part.
The lad was called The Baby" be-
cause Of his face and curls. When
the two sat down to play every one
in the saloon said to his neighbor:
What fool The Baby is to try
to play cards with Slippery Dick.
The death-like silence which was