The Middleburgh post. [volume] (Middleburgh, Snyder Co., Pa.) 1883-1916, 1902-06-19

was suddenly absorbed by Abe, the
stage driver, who was sitting next me.
could hear him swearing approval
and admiration, saying TO himself:
"Ain't he clinker? III be gee ,whiz-
Ely gor busted if he amt a maIleable
iron. double back action, self adjusting
corn cracker
And the prayer continued, to be
punctuated with like admiring and
even more sulphurous eXpletives. Ii
was an incoasrUo1s medley. The ear
nest, reverent prayer and the earnest,
admiring profanity rendered chaotic
ones IDEAS of religious propriety, The
feelings in both were akin, the method
of expression somewhat widely d.
verse.
After prayer Craig's tone changed
utterly. In quiet, matter of fact
businesslike way he stated his plan of
organization and called for all who
wished to join to remain after the ben
ediction. Some fifty men were left,
among them Nelson, Sandy, Lachlan
Campbell, Baptiste, Shaw, Nixon,
Geordie and Billy Breen, who tried to
\ get out, but was held fast by Gcordie.
\ Graeme was passing out, but signed
him to remain, saying that l wished
Ito see the thing out" Abe sat still
beside me, swearing disgustedly at the
fellows "who were goin' back on the
preacher" Craig appeared amazed at
the number of men remaining and
seemed TO fear that something was
wrong. He put before them the terms
| Of discipleship, as the Maker put them
to the eager scribe, and he did not
i make them easy. He pictured the kind
!, Of work to he done and the kind of
men needed for the doing of it. Abe
i grew uneasy as the minister went on
to describe the completeness of the sur
render. the intensity OF the loyalty de-
manded
THAT knocks me out. reckon" he
muttered in disappointed tone. 81
amt up to that grade" And as Craig
described the heroism called for, the
magniticence OF the fight, the worth of
1t and the outcome OF it all Abe ground
4 out, "Tll be blanked If l wouldn't like
to take a hand, but l guess I'm not in
It,"
Craig finished by saying:
81 want to put this quite fairly. II Is
, not any league of mine. You're not
, joining my company. 1t is no easy
business, and it is for your whole life.
What do you say? DO | put 1t fairly?
What do you say. NelsOn?'
Nelson rose slowly and with difficulty
began:
81 may be all wrong, but you made 1t
easier for me, Mr.. Craig. You said he
would see me through. or should nev
er have risked II. Perhaps l am
wrong" And the old man looked
troubled.
Craig sprang up.
mo, no! Thank God, NO! He will
see every man through who will trust
his life to him-every man, no matter
how tough he Is, no matter how bro
KEN"
Then Nelson Strengthened himself up
and said:
"well, sir. l believe lot Of the men
. would 60 in for this II thoy were dead
sure they would get through"
. Get through" said Craig. "Never
fear Of 1t! 1t is hard fight, long
fight, a glorious fight" throwing up his
, head, "but every man who squarely
, trusts him and takes him as Lord and
Master comes out victor"
. "Bonw said Baptiste. "Das me. You
I tink he's take me in dat fight, M'sieu
, Craig, heh:"
r His eyes were blazing.
| you mean it," asked Craig almos.
, sternly.
"Yes, by gar" said the little French
I man eagerly.
5 Hear what he says, then" And
= Craig, turning over the leaves OF his
Testament, read solemnly the words
, "Swcar not at ALL"
j Non, For sure! Den I stop him,
= replied BaptiSte earnestly, and Crais
r wrote his name down.
!, Poor Abe looked amazed and dis
i tresSed, rose slowly and, saying, 'Tha
5 Jars my whisky jug" passed out.
: There was a slight movement nea
e the organ, and, glancing up, l saw
= Mrs Mavor put her face hastily in he
g hands. The mems faces were anxious
|, and troubled, and Nelson said In ,
8 voice that broke:
d "Tcll them what you told me, sir"
II Bul Craig was troubled, too, and re
piled, you tell them, Nelson!' Ant
: Nelson to..:: 10 ::::a re story Of hoy
4 he began just five weeks ago. The oil
q mans voice steadiod as he went or
4 and he grew eager as he told how h
q had been helped and how the worl
4 was all different and his heart seeme
y new. 20 rcoss II "a Friend as il b
q wcso coraa ono that could be seen on
i; ss ssE7v, tsst &c knew well and me
u every day.
It But as he tried to say how deeply
20 regretted that he had not known a
j. this years before, the old hard face b'
gan to quiver, and the steady voic
8 wavered. Then he pulled himself t'