The farmer and mechanic. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 18??-19??, 1900-07-10
A BACKSLIDERo
Rv MARTHA McCULL0CH- WILLIAMS.
(Copyright, 1899, by S. S. Mcclure Coz

Say parSOn! Snan l swear Il III
for you?' somebody called from the
road, which ran gust outside the track
enclosure. Parson Gentry looked up.
scowling the least bit. He knew the
voice-of all men in the world he hat
ed to have Lawson Cooke see his dis
comfture. Lawson had refined in his
horse. thrown his left leg sidewise
over the pomnel. and sat facing him.
with a set look. new and strange. If
the parson had been a wording he
would have whistled at the sight. be
inc what he was. he merely rubbed
his hands, and stared a trife harder.
I'm here for sOmething-something
Darticular.'' Lawson began. The par
son cut him short: II thought So" he
said. nodding energetically. But
you'd as well go right home. You
can't have her. I've made up my mind
not to part with her to anybody
"How if she makes up her mind N
otherNise?" Lawson said, low and
hard. The parson stared more than
ever, then broke into a quick laugh.
80. understand. You think her
minds already made up; that she's
too much n handful for me- he said.
well, the fact is, young man, | don't
ever expect to make her my riding
DDdSt"Sl1l1 Il SId.l hN1p II
Il see-you're talking of Blue Bon
net" Lawson said. The parson mold
ed. "Of course. Haven't YOU come to
try to buy her? Stevens, your train
er. told me you said you meant to
have he'd if it took every dollar you
got from the old mans estate
I've changed my mind,' Lawson
said shortly.
Then what do you want?" the par
son blurted out.
peggy" Lawson said laconically.
"What is more, | mean to have her.
You have just made up my mind for
me-
Are you drunk or crazy: Yor
must be one or the other. Why. my
girl knows nothing whatever about
YOU the parson began angrily. Law
son held up his hand. she knows me
enough to love meas | love her he
said. Now, sir, I've no need to say
anything of myself-you knOw all
about me much better than | dO-ls
one gentleman to another, I want &c
ask if | may court and marry herr
NO! Mo-. No!!' the parson shouted
in shrill cresendo, then dropping his
voice to its common rich key: Il take
it you are serious, Mr.. Cocke-thcre-
fore let me say | appreciate the honor
YOU nave done my daughter. But even
if L knew that she loved you | could
never bring myself to c~ountenanca
your suit. | am not only a father,
but also, / hope, a Christian. The
scriptures, which are the rule and law
of conduct, expressly say, Be not un-
equally yoked together with unbeliev-
ers.'
lis that all you have against me-:
'"That is alI-and everything.' the
parson said gravely. Lawson laugh
ed grimly:
You are trying to throw away q
mighty fine chance for missionary
work. he said. Peggy might con
vert me. 1t seems tome, indeed. she
could make Of me almost anything
she chose
Parson Gentry melted Instantly:
That's so, Lawson?' he said genial
". My dear boz, only let me see
you a happy Christian, and there is ne
other man alive that [ would SO glad
~ trust with my girl. 1t will indcc
be a happy and very special providence
if love of her can lead You 10 Christ
| do not fiatter you in saying thai
your conversion would mean mo1e 70!
the masters cause and kingdom thar
that of any ten others among onl
Young men. You are their leader il
everything"
stop" Lawson said. "Parson, Try
to put yourself in my place. II comes
natural to YOU to be religious-
"Ah, my son! You are wrong there
the parson said, smiling. "Onc2 | was
even as YOU are-held II the gall O
bitterness, the bonds of iniqnlty. On
til | was 25, although ! never drani
more than | could comfortably carry
sport Of every sort was ny delight
l fought cocks. threw dice, made anf
rode Matches
"What? you?" Lawson cried. The
parson bowed his head
Even me-" he SAID. Now, yoI
must see that the power which pluck
ed me, a brand from the burning can
if only you will let it, rs certainly
pluck you"
For almost a minute Lawson lookct
at the parson, his lips opening ant
closing as though uncertain whether
to speak. At last he said.
Mr.. Gentry, may | ask ii question o
the man you were before YOU be
came a minister's
The parson smiled :nIulgcrtiv. ".Asl
what you choose he said. :" Twill an
SNef IfuInIullN, IL | answer at all.
'Then-tell me this" Lawson said
DO you really care nothing now 70
the things you gave up? | mean
dOn't you ever banker after forbidden
things-yearn to be free-evcn riot
ous?'
The carnal mind Is al enmitv IL
God the parson quoted softly. Thcr
he added reverently: Cod gives u
new hearts, but it takes his grace ant
very much of it, to keep them pur'
and steadfast. The old Adam die,
hard in every one of us. We Keep IliH
under only b. help Of Il strength be
You'd our own
You wouldn't care for horses j
there were no race tracils??" Lawson
said, tentatively.
Yes, I would" tn, parson sac
sharply. "a good horse, in full action
is to me the finest sigh in the world
| love Il good horse. just for itself.
do not mind cOnfessinG to YOU
though, that when one of mine wins
Z | have quite the sane thrill! Of delign
that came of winning on anythin.
!. back in the old sinful days That i