Barre evening telegram. (Barre, Vt.) 1898-19??, 1899-04-21
week ago and turning as red as turkey

week ago and turning as red as turkey
cock.
"I'll good afternoon ye, Mister Par
son! No! 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 2" he aeked He was painfully
white now.
"What do I want9" repeated the
bully, following up the question with
volley of oaths that made the little man
shudder. "I'll tell ye what I want. l
want yer apology'-he fumbled with
the word-"apology fer interferin
tween father an his kid. But licked
him more'n ever for yer blasted inter-
ferin."
"You internal coward" exclaimed
St. John.
His opponent gasped.
"Let me passl" said the curate
"No, We don't!' cried the other, re-
covering from his establishment at hear
ing strong word from the parson.
st. john gazed hurriedly about him.
The path wound across the moor,
through the green and purple of the
heather, cutting a low hedge here and
there and losing itself at last in the
heat haze. They were alone.
The bully grinned. "1've got ye
nowl'
"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.
CHOW, I'm ready" said the curate
gently.
"Are ye goin to fight" burst out the
other, looking at him az 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 not
felt like this since his college days. He
thanked Providence for his friends, the
Indian clubs and dumbbells. which hac
kept him in trim the past three years
The blood sang in his veins as he circlee
round Goliath. guarding the giant
brutal smashes and getting in stroke
when occasion offered. 1t was not long
ere the big man found himself hopeless
" outmatched; his wind was gone; hi
Jaw was swollen. and one eye was use
less. He made final effort and slunt
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, 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 p said the curate.
"Well, PM
, 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
1 and get patched up. Here's money
The vanquished one took the silve
and gazed stupidity at the giver, VIII
was making his toilet.
g "Please go away and don't thras
!. your boy any more" said st. John pc,
suasively.
, Goliath made few steps, then rt
traced them, holding out grimy paw
"Nlster Parson, I'm-I'm"-
Don't say another word. Goodby.
And the curate shook hands with him
The big man turned away. Present.
- he halted once more. 'Im beatP b
: said. 1t had to come Then he shamble
homeward.
st. John adjusted his collar, gave h
u shoulder rub and donned his coat an
hat. AS he started toward the village
> girl came swiftly to meet him.
"Oh, John. John, you are splendid !
y she gasped as she reached him. .
. watched you from the hedge yonder. "
!, 81 am exceedingly sorry, Miss E(
u mission, said the curate coldly. raisiI
his hat and making to pass on.
. Nancy started as though he ha
struck her Her flush of enthusiasts
! paled out. In her excitement she ha
s. forgotten that event of week ago, b,
the cutting tone of his voice reminde
), her. She bowed her head, and he wei
Il on his way. He had gone about
Yards when she called his name. HI
. . voice just reached him, but somethir
u in it told him that he had not suffere
- a1ona