Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1900-01-04

"
groan tine elder tugged the windlass.
lie bent his back to it in heroic FASH
ION, very much surprised at its
weight.
"Um-m!" he grunted, ~ don't
wonder :, t the gals fur complainin'
NV the weight NV this bucket. Hits
as heavy as a syrup bari halter
tighten it fur 'em."
Still he tugged at the rope and
slowly the load assembled, Maj. Duck
worth scarcely able to contain him
self at the thought Of how he would
astonish the elder when he reached
the top. Around and around the
windlass turned. and the sweat stood
out on the elders face. He kept
muttering comments on the weight
of the bucket as it swung slowly up
ward, until, at last, he made an extra
effort and raised his hand to take
hold of the bucket. Just at that in
slant up popped the bald head and
b'nared eyes of Maj. Duckworth, face
to face with the solemn visage OF Ell
der Langworthy.
"Lord-amassy.' exclaimed the ell
DIR, as he caught sight of the unholy
appartion, at the same time turning
loose the handle of the windlass and
staggering backward. "Whiddly
WILDLY, WILDLY" went the windlass
and down went the bucket before Maj
Duckworth had time to escape from
the mouth of the WELL "kerslosh!'
went the bucket in the chill water
and under went Maj. Duckworth
struggling and strangling as he sank
He arose to the surface and tried tt
c I for help, but his only utteranc,
was gurgling sound, as of one SUI
locating, and down he went again
The next time he came to the surfac
he succeeded in grasping the rope
and after recovering his breath tn
now sobered man slowly made hi
way out of the well by the aid of tn
step hces. But during his time o
I trial the seriousness of his conditio
had taken a deep hold upon him, an
! be mentally vowed to reform his wa
I Of life.
That morning when he walked int
his cabin, wet and bedraggled, h
: wife marked the change in his d
meanor.
Ben a-fghtin, reckon" said oh
"Nope, no fghtin'. Say, S'manth
= I've had a warning, and | want n
y clean cloes, fur I'm a-gwne ter go
e meotin today"
"Sakes nliye, Arc We Sick Bel
u Better take some Baemans draps
y salt the wife, astounded at such
y unheard Of proposition.
" mo, I'm not sick I've made up
IL rim to change, an I'm a-gwine
o. begin by j'inin' the llardshells."
~ The wife eyed him askanse, as II s
10 anared he wns losing his reason, b
:" a ter breakfast She llicd him up
III / she was ahlr. nA started him
"a to meeting The old man was ratl
M shaky in his krces Int there was
VI air of determination in his eye. Al
the first hymn had been sung El'
d" Langworthv, who had sGl with bow
Try head during the opening servit
nc, ne arose and said
III "Blethrcn. | Lave lang thought t
'ai | wus not a.lcadiu sirll n life as
orter. Now I'm comigccd Gv II. l
DIN mornin' he'd a lin vent
'i' to draw a bucket nv water, an W
~ I drawed It TO the top up sprun'
4" horrible creptcG the IKE Nv whic
w never seed alorr an --"
.at'l do. l' hAor" eyclair
'tM Maj. DuckNollh Sprin9ing to
I = feet. 81 knoc I'm VI d-I'atered,
| know Eve ben w cScd creeter,
las, Pm a-gwinter lead q better life.
-, I. wus me in tho ,chcL
nh The s,iY saa,cd by these extra
ny, binary remarks brcHp UP the meet
oae for awhile. Iwl finally WHEN all
thu explained, me conslrgauun gave
and right hand Of fellowship to Brot
uch Duckworth, and Joined in a vote
tn, confidence in the integrity of ri