Republican news item. [volume] (Laport, Pa.) 1896-19??, 1899-04-13

week ago, auu uutuluS 10 Iou Nd d
turkey-cock.
''I'll good afternoon ye, Mister Par
son! No! Ye don't pass till I'm done
wi ye," 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?' he asked. He was pain
fully white now.
"What do I want?" repeated the
bully, following up the question with
q volley of oaths that made the little
man shudder. ''I'll tell ye what
want. I want your apology"-he
fumbled with the word APOLOGY
for interferin' tween father an his
kid. But licked him more'n ever
for yer blamed interferin'
"You coward!" exclaimed st. John.
His opponent gasped.
"Let me pass" said the curate.
''No ye DON'T" cried the other, re-
covering from his astonishment at
hearing strong word from par
son.
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 They were alone.
The bully grinned. 'I've got ye
now."
"You have indeed" said st. John,
peeling off his black coat and throw
ing it on the heather. His soft felt
hat followed. Then he slipped the
links from his cuffs and rolled up his
shirtsleeves, while his enemy gasped
at the proceedings.
"Now I'm ready" said the curate
gently
''Are We goin' to fght?" 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
planted blow from small but singu-
larly hard fist The little curate was
had not felt like this since his college
days. He thanked Providence for his
friends the Indian clubs and dumb
bells, which had kept him in trim these
past three years. The blood sang in
his veins as he circled round Goliath,
guarding the giants brutal smashes,
and getting in a stroke when occasion
offered. 1t was not long ere the big
man found himself hopelessly out
matched; his wind was gone, his jaw
was swollen, and one eye was useless.
He made a final effort and slung out
a 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
DO. The fallen man recoiled to his
feet like young sapling, aud 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 fine linen hand
kerchief.
''Feel better?" said the curate.
''Well, Pin"
"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 its feet.
''You'd better call at the CHEMISTS
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
persuasively.
Goliath made a few steps, then re-
traced them, holding out grimy paw.
"Mister Parson, Im-I'm' -
''Don't say another word. Good
| bye;" and the curate shook hands
with him.
The big man turned away. Presently
he halted once mere. 'Im--!" he
said. 1t had to come. Then he
shambled homewards.
ST. John adjusted his collar, gave
| his shoulder rub, and donned his
coat and hat. AS he started toward
the village girl came swiftly to meet
him.
80 John, John, you are splendid
| she gasped as she reached him. 81
watched you from the hedge yonder. ;"
81 am exceedingly sorry, Miss
Edmiston," said the curate coidly,
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
fifty yards when she called his name.
Her voice just reached him, but some
thing in it told him that he had not
suffered alone.
He turned about and fastened
her. New York Weekly.
"Penn's Milestones."