The Virginia enterprise. [volume] (Virginia, St. Louis County, Minn.) 1893-19??, 1900-10-05

Parson.' Somewhat below medium
height and weight he was pat toge,Arr
like Il soldier. His keen gray eyes had !,
merry twinkle; his face WAS firm, yet
kind.
He seemed like a man who would enjoy
being at war with one-half o. the world
If he could be at peace with the othr
half He was indeed typical of the by
gone days when the church was close to
the daily life Of the people.
Your arm, uncle" exclaimed Pru.
dence. as she greeted him.
"Cnly q scratch from a British bullet
few miles down the road-it can wait
he drew dozen sheets Of closely written
paper from beneath his coat.
"Rut surely you will have something +,
eat and drink, unclc?"
Fig hting first, lass--am fighting the
devil today"
They Went to the little church. which
was already flled-for the most part with
women and old men. Here and th,r.
was young man in civilians clothes. A
score Of soldiers ]oitered in the doorway.
They cheercd Justify when the "Fightin@
Parson' appeared.
He donned the black gown of the ban
lshcd rector and presently mounted the
nigh pulpit to read the sermon ne had
prepared.
His keen eyes wandered around the
church. settling for an instant upon each
high backed pew, apparently seein. into
the utmost recess OF the balcony, where
the bellows boy was preparing tor q nap.
Again he looked around, this time slow
~. He seemed to be counting the young
men in civilians dress. Especially did
he gaze upon Rowland just beneath him.
He hurled his sermon upon the floor.
"Thirteen! he exclaimed. why DOM
you st 60 with IT the American army and tigh:
Then he waited for reply that came
ing Of bird in the burial ground.
I'm not afraid to go. They can't hurt
me. They can kill me if they like, they
can make. a drumhead OF my hide, but
they'll play numy drum, drum. humy,
drum, drum, till the British are scared
out Of the countryv'
Then. as il realizing it was a Tory
gown he wore, he threw it off. revealing
his Continental uniform.
The women and children were awed,
the young men hung their heads in shame
even Rowland-and the old patriots
]oined with the soldiers in cheering the
Fighting Farson."
nc brought the service to hasty close;
then announced his desire to eat-''some-
thing good, and plenty of it," be ex-
planned
You were preaching at me-" observed
the master Of the house, rather humbly,
as their guest attacked the dinner
You and twelve others. Good beef
and corn, Prudence. I'll have more'
Rowland was about to make his time
worn plea about married men, but he
didn't. Il guess you had better take me
with you. provided Prudence and Gen.
Wayne agree he said
Prudence nodded a sorrowful assent.
1T is your duty, Rowland"
The ''FightinS Parson'' vourhed for
mad Anthony He srasped Rowland
by the hand. II was afraid you were
bloody Tory, my boy. If | hadn't been
so blamed hungry, I'd have asked first"
Rowland rode away with the chaplain
that afternoon, his wife's fearful Ness
ing upon him.
1T is your duty" she said again.
In week came the news that Mad
Anthony was advancing westward with
a flying brigade Of more than 1000 men
to harass the rear guard of the Brit
ish.
One day Rowland, looking more hand
some than ever in suit Of borrowed
resimentals, rode up with his command
der and the chaplain. Behind came the
army Of hardy, ill-clad patriots.
Inc brave general, who mad been a
friend Of Prudcnce's father. bestowed i
nioo uPoA Ae1 1Oleueau without dlSmOunt-
My soldier!' exclaimed Prudence ten
derby as she once more babe Rowland
farewell. Il am so proud of you!'
Thus the young husband rode avay
with "Aiad Anthony" and the 'Fightin:
Parson." IT courage could be given to
a coward. 'twould seem they were the
land Burgess a coward.
The three rode on Of tho had ~ 49,
brigade-rode on into the very Jaws of
death ere they knew it. That night a.
PaOll they were hemmed in on pyerv
captured: "
Before a hundred bullets had sped
horse. dashed down the hill, the rider dg-
ging his spurs into him. It was he whom
love had made coward.
Mad Anthony" wasted but one word
on hin-a word that was expressive.
The Fighting Parson" said more. but
no word quite as strong. As for the
men, they said nothing-they Simply
fought the harder.
And SO the battle went on-the mas
sacre, it is called in history. Three hun
field; half as many more were taken pris
oners; the rest, under Mad ANTHONY"
beat an honorabl retreat.
Or course, there were other towards,
but none SO noticeable as the one who
had galloped down the hill.
Not before he was nearly home did
Rowland Burgess realize what he had
done, what he had branded himself. He
was a deserter, traitor; he would be-
shot or maybe hanged. TO return to the
brave little woman whom he loved. who
had unconsciously made him a coward,
would be worse than folly.
He rode on and on and on, wondering
whittier to go, this hunted fugitive.
Reaching Philadelphia, he exchanged his
dishonored uniform for coarse sailor