The Forrest City times., 1899-03-17

i thlnk. parson. you have come to
a mighty poor place to start revival
"'No place needs II more said the
minister. as he looked with a respect
full but resolute glance into Jacks sin
gle eye.
Let him preach. said the bartend-
er, who was glad to have his employers
wrath diverted from him. Let him
preach. 1t will be fun for the boys
"'Fun!' roared Jack: I'D like TO see
any body make fun of my guest. Par
son. fire away. I'll be the deacon of this
revival. If anybody dares kick up a
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 make or COM
mand to give. In few seconds there
was silence. All eagerly looked at the
two men as if they expected to see
fight. Jack roared out in a voice that
could be heard half mile:
"'Gents, here's Methodist parson
who's honored us by coming to town to
L
Coyote" never follows. she allus leads.
We're the fust saloon in town to start
a prayer meeting as side show. The
parsons goin' to hev a chance to show
his hand. I'm goin' to be the deacono of
this protracted meetin'. If anybody
tries any funny business with the par
SON he'll hev to settle with the deacon.
b.,
body to come forrud and get converted,
I'll make one of my bartenders go, and
you can stand around and see the show.
Now, parson. 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 table
and began to sing Gospel song. His
voice was full 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 pounding time
with their fists upon the card tables.
After the hymn was sung. short
gan. 1t was plain, fervent, manly
talk, straight from an earnest heart
The preachers face was sympathetic.
his voice was tender at times and then
it rose in a ringing tone like the blast of
q 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 innocence
and purity of their childhood days. He
was in the midst of pathetic picture
| of the far-away nome, where loved ones
were thinking. weeping and praying
for the wicked wanderer, 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
IAN old man with the face of demon
and the form of giant was playing
cards with a young lad with long curly
hair and the sweet innocent face of a
girl. The giant was called Slippery
Dick. He was the terror of the town
He was such consummate trickster
with cards that every game was delib-
crate robbery upon his part. The lad
was called The Baby because of his
face and curls. When the two sat down
to play, every one in the saloon had said
to his neighbor:
"'What fool "The Eaby" is to try
to play cards with slippery Dick" -
''The death-like silence which was
l,x-
the preacher was broken in upon by
The Baby's' clear boyish treble:
"'You're a cheat!'
"'Slippery Dick roared with the
| fury of mad bu'l:
| 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 upon him
with the spring of tiger. The little
hand, as strong as steel, grasped the
giant by the throat. huge bowie knife
| flashed in the light. aud the next Sec
ond was buried in the cid mans heart.
He sank back in his chair, killed in
4
had pressed a revolver against The
Baby's' breast and shouted:
"'Moye and you're dead mani
"The young man coolly folded his
arms and said in a ringing, defiant
voice:
"'He cheated me and I've killed him.
Do what you pleasev
Jack gave orders to search the body
! of the dead man. When whole pack of
cards were found concealed about his
person. all accepted this as certain evil
| dence of fraud. Jack roared out:
".This court decides that slippery
Dick" was caught cheatin' and "The
Baby" is guilty of justifiable homicide
and goes free. All in favor of the mo-
tion say 'Aye!"'
"A thunder of Ayes responded.
"'All opposed say "No,"' said Jack
as he cooked his revolver and glared
about the room. A moments death
like silence followed. Jack in lower