The Bellefontaine Republican. [volume] (Bellefontaine, Logan County, Ohio) 1855-1905, 1899-07-14
week ago and turning as red as TURKEY

"I'n good afternoon ye, Mister Par
SON Mol Ye don't pass till I'm done
wi yer' cried the man, who had been
drinking heavily, though he was too
seasoned to show any unsteadiness in
gait.
The curate drew back. "What do
you want p he asked. He was painfully
white now.
"What do 1 want7" repeated the
bully, following up the question with
volley of oaths that made the little man
shudder. "Ill tell ye what I want. 1
want yer apology fumbled with
the word-'a apology fer interferin
tween father an his kid. But licked
him more'n ever for yer blasted inter-
ferin.''
"You internal cowardr' exclaimed
st. John.
His opponent gasped.
"Let me pass' said the curate.
"No, ye don'tl' cried the other, re-
covering from his astonishment at hear
ing strong word from the parson.
st. Jchn 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
nowp'
"You 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 at his proceed
ings.
"Now, I'm readyT' said the curate
gently.
care ye goin to fight?'' burst out the
other. looking at him as Goliath might
have looked at David. "Come on. ye"-
But the foul word never passed his
lips, being stopped by carefully plant
ed blow from small but singularly
hard fist. The little curate was filled
with wild, unholy joy. He had moi
felt like this since his college days. HI
thanked Providence for his friends. tht
Indian clubs and dumbbelIs. which had
kept him in trim the past three years
The blood sang in his veins as he circlei
round Goliath. guarding the giant
brutal smashes and getting in strok,
when occasion offered. 1t was not Ions
ere the big man found himself hopeless
ly outmatched; his wind was gone; hi
jaw was swollen, and one eye was use
less. He made final effort and slune
out q 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 hi
feet like young sapling, and the mex
that Goliath knew was, ten minute
later, when he opened his available ey,
and found that his enemy was bending
over him. wiping the stains from hi
face with fine linen handkerchief.
"Feel better" said the curate.
"Well. I'm
"Hush, man; it's not worth swear
ing about" interposed his nurse
"Now, get up"
He held out his hand and assisted tn
wreck to its feet.
"You'd better call at the chemist
and get patched up. Here's money"
The vanquished one took the silve
and gazed stupidity at the giver. VIII
was making his toilet.
"Pleass go away and don't thrasl
, your boy any more" said st. John per
suasively.
Goliath made a few steps, then re
, traced them, holding out a grimy paw
"Mister Parson, I'm-I'm"-
> "Don't say another word. Goodby.
And the curate shook hands with him.
\ The big man turned away. Present.
3 he halted once more. "I'm beatp' b
| said. It had to come Then he shamble
homeward.
IL ST. John adjusted his collar, gave hi
shoulder rub and donned his coat an
i, hat. As he started toward the village
girl came swiftly to meet him.
? "Oh. John, John. you are splendid I
Q she gasped as she reached him. g
watched you from the hedge yonder. &"
81 am exceedingly sorry, Miss Ed
miston, said the curate coldly. raisin
D his hat and making to pass on.
O. Nancy started as though he ha
r struck her. Her flush Of enthusiasm
paled out. In her excitement she ha
forgotten that event Of week ago, bu
? the cutting tone of his voice reminde
i her. She bowed her head. and he we1
on his way. He had gone about D
Q yards when she called his name. He
voice just reached him, but somethin
d in it told him that he had not suffere
e alone.
e He turned about and hastened to hel
e Exchange.