The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1900-03-17
Once Too Often

4 interrupted. A man arose from the
heather, where he had been Tying. and
stood in the path. barring the curate's
| progress.
Now, Mr.. Parson," he said. with
menace in his thick voice and bloated
face.
Good afternoon, my man." returned
| st. John, recognizing the brute of n
week ago, and turning as red as II
| turkey. cock.
"1'll afternoon ye. Mr.. Parson!
No! You don't pass till I'm done wi
ye," 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?" he asked.
He was painfully white now.
What do I want?" repeated the
bully, following up the question with
a volley of oaths that made the little
man shudder. "1'll tell ,ye what want.
| / want yer apology"-he fumbled with
the word-'apology fer interferin'
tween father an his kid. But I
licked him more'n ever fer yer blasted
| interferin'"
You Internal coward!' exclaimed
| St. John.
His opponent gasped.
Let me pass" said the curate.
mo, We DON'T" cried the other, re-
covering from his astonishment at
hearing strong word from a parson.
st. John gazed hurriedly about him.
The path wound across the moor,
through the green and purple of the
heather, cutting low hedge here and
tt ere, and losing itself at last in the
eath-haze. They were alone.
The bully Rrinned.
1--WE got ye now."
you have, indeed" said st. John
peeling Of his black coat and thro winy :
1t on the heather. His soft hat fol-
lowed. Then he slipped the links from
his cuffs and rolled up his shirt sleeves ),
while his enemy gasped at the pro-
ceedings.
Now Tn ready" said the curate
gently.
Are ye goin' to fight?" burst on:
the other, looking at him as Goliath
| might have looked at David. "Come
| on, We"
But the foul word never passed his
lips, being stopped by carefully plant
| ed blow from a small but singulariy
hard fist.
The little curate was filled with a
wild, unholy joy. He had not felt like
this since his college days. He thanked
| providence for his friends. the Indiun
clubs and dumb bells, which had kept
him In trim these last three years.
The blood sang In his veins as he cir
cled round Goliath, guarding tn =
giants brutal smashes, and getting in
stroke when occasion offered.
1t was not long ere the big man
found himself hopelessIy outmatched; !;
his wind was gone, his jaw was swol-
len and one eye was useless. He made
final effort and slung out terrible
blow at David. Partly parried, it
caught him on the shoulder, telling
him to the earth. Now surely the vic
tory was with the Philistine. But no.
The fall man recOiled to his feet like
young sapling. and the next that
Goliath knew was, ten minutes later,
when he opened his available eye ami
found that his enemy was bendiAg
! over him, wiping the stains from his
face with a fine linen handkerchief.
Feel better?" said the curate.
well. Tm--'
Hush, man; it's not worth swear
ing about" interposed his nurse. Now
get up
He held out his hand and assisted
the wreck to his feet.
You'd better call at the chemist s
and get patched UP. Here's the
money"
The vanquished one took the silver
and gazed stupidity at the giver, who
| was making his toilet.
please 90 away, and don't thrash
your boy any more" said st. John per-
suasively.
Goliath made few steps, then re-
traced them, holding out his grimp
paw.
Mister Parson, I'm-I'm--"
Don't say arother word. Good
I've" and the cucate shook hands with
him.
The big man turned away. Present.
ly he halted once more. "I'm-!" he
said. 1t had to come. Then he sham
bled homeward.
st. John adjusted his collar. gave his
shoulder rub and donned his coat
| and hat. AS he started toward the
village girl came swiftly to meet
him.
"Oh, John, John. you are splendid"