The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1900-01-04

strong in de faif-''
"Parker," said Mordaunt, ''you' re an
old wretch, and I've got mind to take
every bit of that tobacco away from you.
No; L tell you what IL do.
He went back to the cupboard and got
as much again as he had given Parker,
and banded it to him saying,
81 think it will be better for all con-
cerned if Jim's probation only lasts two
months. Get him Into the fold, Parker,
get him into the foldr' And he showed
the ancient exhorter out of the door,
1t grieved Jim that he could not go
possum hunting on sundays any more,
but shortly after he got religion his rheu-
matism seemed to take turn for the bet
ter and he felt that the result was worth
the sacrifice. But as the pain decreased
in his legs and arms, the longing for his
old wicked pleasures became stronger
upon him, though Mandy thought that he
was living out the period of his proba-
ton in the most exemplary manner, and
inwardly rejolced
1t was two weeks before he was to be
regularly admitted to the church fellow
ship. His industrious spouse had decked
him out in a bleached cotton shirt to
attend divine service. In the morning
Jim was there. The sermon which Broth
er Parker preached was powerful, but
somehow it failed to reach this new con
vert His gaze roved out of the window
toward The dark line of the woods be
yond. where the frost still glistened on
the trees and where he knew the persim-
mons were hanging ripe. Jim was pres
ent at the afternoon service also for it
was great day; and again he was pre-
occupied. He started and clasped his
hands together until the bones cracked.
when a dog barked somewhere out on The
hill Tie sun was going down over lie
top Of the woodland trees, throwing he
forest into gloom, as they came out Of The
log meeting house. Jim paused and look
ed lovingly at the scene, and sighed as ne
TUNED his steps back toward the CABIN.
That night Mandy went to church a ne.
Jim had disappeared. Nowhere around
was his axe, and Spot, his dog, was me.
Mandy looked over towards the woods
whose tops We're feathered agains the
frosty sky, and away off, she heard dog
bark.
Brother Parker was feeling bi> way
home from meeting late that nj hi when
all of a sudden, he came upon man
creeping toward the quarters TIE man
had an axe and a dog, and ovel hi Shout
ders hung a bag in which the ont mes of
possum could be seen.
Iii, oh, Brothah jim, at it az
jim did not reply. ''Well. de- heish
up an 90 long. We got to mex some
'lowances uf you young a'nvu is.
We en- you gwin cook dat 'posslm, Bro
than jim?
81 do know, Brother Pahlab He SO
po,' l low have ter keep hin an fat
ten him flu awhile
''Uh, huh well, so long, JIM
$50 long Brothah Pahk h. jim
chuckled as he went away. Il low |
fool dat OF fox. Wanter con down an
eat up my one little possum, he? huh,
uhr'
So that very night jim sclsped his pos
sum, and hung it out of dc rs, and the
next day, brown as the forest whence it
came, it lay on great platter on Jim's
table. 1t was tat possun, too. jim
had just whetted his knit, and Mandy
had just finished the bless ng when the
latch was lifted and Brothr Parker step
ped in.
''Hi- oh, Brothah jim Use des' in
time" Jim sat with lis mouth open.
Draw up cheer, Br thah Pahkah,"
his hand over the possun.
''Wha-wha'd you cone hyeah fu'?''
he asked
81 thought I'd des' c'me in an tex
bite wild YOU
CAIN gwine tex no bite wild me- said
jim.
"Heish,' said Many. "wha' kim O.
way is dat to talk to ID preachab?''
''Preachah er no plachah, you hyeah
what l say" and he took the possum,
and put it on the highest shelf.
''Wha' de mattah wild you, Jim, dat
one o. de- quiahmens o de chu'c h."
The angry man tuned to the preacher
SIS it one o d 'quahments O de
CHI 'ch dat you eat h er ter night?''
''Hit sholy am usual flu de shepherd to
sup wherever he stop said Parker
suavely.
Very well, ven we'll" said Jim; 81
wants you to know dat / specs to stay
out O yo' chu CHI Is got two weeks mo
probation. You elk Lit back, an gin it !
to de mex niggth You ketches wild a
possum.
Mandy was Fortified The preacher
looked longing at the possum, and took
up his hat to e.
There were lwo disappointed men ON
the plantation when he told his master
the next day he outcome of Jim's pro-
baton. Paul 4aurenee Dunbar in South
ern Workmar'