Clarke courier. [volume] (Berryville, Va.) 1869-1997, 1899-06-14
a mighty poor place to start a rsvi-

minister, as he looked with respect
ful but resolute glance into Jacks
single eye.
"Let him preach" said the bar
tender, who was glad to have his en-
pioyer's wrath diverted from him.
"Let him preach. 1t will be fun for
the boys"
"FuDl" roared Jack; "l'd like to
see anybody make fun of my guests.
Parson fire away. Pll 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 slgnaled for attention when
he had an announcement to make.
In few seconds there was silence.
All eagerly looked ut the two men as
II they expected 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 nv
bartenders 60, and you can stand
around and see the show. Now, par
sou, fire away. If you've got any
gospel that'll reach this crowd, it'll
hev to be like my whisky, hot and
strong"
The preacher sprang upon a table
and began to sing a 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 olass-leaders and
pounding time with their fists upon
the card tables. After the hymn
was sung a short prayer was offered
and the services began. 1t was a
plain, fervent, manly talk, straight
from an earnest heart. The preach
er's face was sympathetic, his voice
was tender at times and then it rose
in ringing tones 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
penalty for the sinner, and ended
with exhortation to regain the inno-
cence and purity of their childhood
days. He was in the midst of pa
thetic picture of the far-away homes
where loved ones were thinking, weep
ing and praying for the wicked wan
derer, and the crowd was hanging
in breathless silence upon his words.
An angry alteration was begun at
the feet of the preacher. 1t was fierce
and brief.
An old man with the face of de-
mon and the form or a giant was
playing cards with young lad with
long curly hair and the sweet inno-
cent face of "a 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 robbery upon his
pal i uC idQ W do CdllcQ L lie Da-
by" because of his face and curls.
When the two sat down to play every
one in the saloon said to his neigh
Dor:
"What fool 'The Baby is to try
to play cards with Slippery Dick. "
The death-like silence which was
stirred only by the low, gentle voice
of the preacher, was broken in upon
by '''The Baby's" clear, boyish treble:
"You're cheat"
"Slippery Dick" roared- with the
fury of mad bull:
you're liar!"
Both sprang to their feet. The
old man snatched his revolver from
his belt. The hammer caught in the
fold of his flannel shirt and before
he could loosen it the young man was
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