Bryan morning eagle. [volume] (Bryan, Tex.) 1898-1909, 1902-04-05
~s-F~~FWs
WHACKER /,
BILLS F,
CONVERSION
By n. wadsworth Parker
Copyright. 1909. by
: af.fIure Conpany

see &c or,-.@cCr.--.-e 49,
The Rev. John Rollins did not notice
that his wife was holding out his bear
skin coat with both hands. lie CON
tluuod TO stare into the depths OF the
open fireplace.
The nickel alarm clock licked nolsily
on the high mantelshelf. the only
sound IN the cabin tucked under
Bllger's hill. The minute hand touch
ell i2. and Mrs. Rollins coughed apollo.
getically.
Tho Reverend John came out Of his
france and slipped into the waiting
coat Ills wife cast an adorlng look
M at bis square shouldercd six feet
one.
Il hated 10 interrupt your thoughts
Jack. but the stage Is due In a minute.
We're you thnklng Of your sermon|
"Not much. my girl" replied Rollins.
81 was thinking OF that twcnty-four
mile ride with Whacber BIN. II Is
honestly the worst feature Of this
charge. I like 70 go over 70 Las Vegas.
They're n friendly set. and they're al-
WAYS glad 20 see me. But the ride
that foul mouthed Bill, with his swear
Ing at every rut IN the road! But I'll
cure him yet. feel somehow as II
I'd been sent TO this place 20 save
Wlacker Bits soul, and I'm going 10
do a."
John Rollins set his mouth in the
firm curve that his wife could rcmcm-
her from the old football days. long be-
fore he had taken orders In the church.
The little woman clasped and un-
clasped her hands ueryously.
Il hope. Jack. dear. you'll be very,
very careful IN dealing with BIN. He's
an awful character. they say-and'-
eyes. De claims 10 Dee the champion
bad man OF the Las Vegas valley, but
YOU remember certain little sling
once did the business with another
brageart. and I'm loading up with
stones for the same trick"
lie smiled checr.ly into his wifes
anxious face. kissed her tenderly and
crossed Go the door.
Don't worry. llttio woman. / won't
hurt him or lay myself liable 20 the
| law"
The Reverend Rollins throw opcn the
door and gazcd down the winding
mountain street The commot.on in
front of the postofiicc told him that
/ the stage had arrived. lie stalkcd
down the flower edged path 10 meet It..
When the stage plunged and swayed
past the cabin. Mrs Rollins waved her
( hand to her husband. sitting straight
aud smiling beside the rough driver.
. Then she ran into the house, where.
burylng her face in her husbands big
chair she had a hearty cry.
on and on swung the stage, Bill
chatting amubiy OF DDS former
triumphs when the viellantcs repre-
seuted the law and life was worth liv'
/ Ing. Nothing happened 20 disturb bis
serenity until they had passed Las
/ Cruces. when they suddenly came upon
a patch or road that made the stage
| Jerk and pillow from side 90 side. Ike
q ship ln the teeth OF gale.
What WhacEor BIN said about the
road c0mmI s.0uers OF the county
would not bear publication. As he
stormcd and ravcd Boo the maddcst of
profanity the Rev. John Rollins sgu1r
. al round ana looked WhacEer EH fair
/ ly iu the eye.
"uaro sou tr'augG'ltCl sine qua non
Of n pcramuuIator, Shut mr.
/ RW stopped in the middle OF q
/ mighty oath and stirred at thc mis-
slouary 600 amazomcut. So preachers
lost their temper. and such % qu'e
chan as Preacher Rollins too.
Mn forgot The condition OF the road
while Doe rumlnatCl over this fact
/ Thcu they struck an ugly stone.
I mailbag Cow through space. and H.l
. came back 90 earth by o most profaw
route. Rollins held tho re.us while
LIi sent back TO gather mp Jncl
S1u's possessions. Tho offending uaI
went uu with crash and 600 OATH an'
BuI was following with % st.ll m.eltie
accompaniment of profanity when ID
felt the young m.ss.ogary's grip o
steel on hIs wrist
"You b.rurcatcd prismodial OF %
plus ultra iconoclast, stop that nois
and tend TO business"
Whacker BIl climbed into the sea
without a word. Rollins calmly light
cd "a cigar and studied the scenery, an
they rode tive miles iu eloquent silence
Then HuI could stand itno lor" %.
"parduor whur d.d you .Hs. .t.'
at college" caue ,.n Tense reply.
"Lordy au I've a,yfi 'cm calle
religious cemeteries" murmurcd 1871
: aud silence once more settled betwee
them.
Rollins was smoking his third ciga
p ..' feeling BIT nervous as they COZ
cred the last two miles into Las Vega
Just MS they caught sight of the town
B, lights twlukliug Zoo the mist one OF III
n lead horses stumbled and fell Tn &C.
10 seconds there was a mad comblnatio
OF Horses. tangled harness and protal
IT'S On front 81 the stage, When u
damage had been repaired 90 stead
fire OF cuss words, 1911 returned 90 b
post. swearing as he mounted the ste