Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1902-08-04
Continuation Of CHAPTER XIV.

Continuation Of Chapter XIV.
When Uncle Josh sufficiently recovered
HIS senses to think, and saw the church
/ still standing, with not even a Whit Of
smoke 10 be seen, instead of the roaring
furnace he had expected, he was amazed.
He called his scattered deacons together
and they went cautiously back 10 investi-
gate.
Hits no use in taIkin' Bre'r Josh. dey
sho wuz er freP' cried one Of the dea-
cons.
'sho's de Lawd's in heaben. feel It
gittin' on my fingers 70 drap dat straw
said another.
Hit smite me first right on top er my
haidr' whispered Uncle Josh in awe.
They cautiously approached the pulpit
and there I'm front of IT lay the charred
fragments OF the burned straw pile.
They drew back, Uncle Josh saw the i'm
mense power in that heap of charred
straw. Some Of 1t was little damp and
Il had been only partly burned.
Oars de mericle er de SperitP' he
solemnly declared.
"Yas Lawdg'' echoed a deacon.
Fetch de hammer, en- de saw, en- de
altar ter de Sperit!" were his prophetic
commands.
And they did. They got an old show
case Of glass, put the charred straw in IL,
and built an open box work around II
just where It fell in front Of the pulpit.
Then a revival broke out that complete
" paralyzed the industries Of Campbell
county. Every negro stopped work ana
went TO that church. Uncle Josh didn't
have to preach or to plead. They came in
troops toward the magic altar, whose
fame and mystery had thrilled every
superstitious soul with its power. The
benches were all moved out and the whole
church floor given up 10 mourners. I'm
Gle Josh had an easy time walking around
Just adding a few terrifying hints to trem-
bling sinners, or helping to hold some
strong sister when she had come
through" with so much glory in her
bones that there was danger she would
hurt somebody.
After a week the matter became so Sc
rious that the white people set I'm motion
an Investigation OF the AFFAIR. DICK had
thrown out a mysterious hint that he
knew some things that were very funnyl
''Doan you tell nobodyl" he would SOL
EMMY say TO Charlie.
And then he would lie down on the
grass and roll and laugh. At length by
dint OF perseverance and a bribe of a
quarter, the preacher induced Dick TO
explain the mystery. He did. and it broke
up the meeting.
Uncle Josh's fury knew no bounds He
was heartbroken at the sudden collapse
of his revival, chagrined at the recollec-
ton OF his own terror at the fire, and fear
full Of an avalanche OF backsliders from
the meeting among those who had pro-
fessed even with the greatest glory.
He demanded that, the preacher should
turn Dick over to him for correction. The
preacher took a few hours to consider
whether he should whip him himself or
turn him over 10 Uncle Josh. Dick heard
Uncle Josh's. demand. Out behind the
- IA 20
war.
you go see Miss Mar'get fur me en- git
up close 10 her, en- tell her faint right ter
low no low down black niger ter whip
met
"All right. Dick, WILL" agreed Charlie.
Cease ef ole Josh beats me 1 gwine ter
run away. nebber git ober DAFT"
Dick had threatened TO run away often
before when he wanted to force Charlie to
do something for him. Once he had gone
a mile out of town with his clothes tied
in a bundle and Charlie trudging after
him begging him not to leave.
The boy did his best to save Dick the
humiliation Of whipping at the hands Of
Uncle Josh. but in vain.
When Uncle Josh led him out to the
stable lot, his face was not pleasant to
look upon There was a dangerous CLEAN
In Dicks eye that BODIED no good to his
enemy.
You imp er de debbilT' exclaimed Uncle
Josh, shaking his switch with JUNCTION.
II fool you good enough, you ole bar
headed apeT' answered Dick gritting his
teeth defantly.
Il make you sing enudder chune 10 Use
done wild youi"
"En II you does, Niger. you know what
I gwine Go fur your" cried Dick rolling
his eyes Up at his enemy,
What kin you do, honey? asked Uncle
evident relish of a cat before his meal
on mouse.
"Ef you hits me hard. gwine ter burn
your house down on your ha.d some night
en- run erway des es sho es I kin stick er
match to it," said Dick.
"You is. is your" Numbered Josh with
wrath.
pat I is En- I burn 70 ole church de
same night"
Uncle Josh was silent a moment. Dicks
words had chilled his heart. He was
afraid Of him, but he was afraid to back
down from what was now evidently his
duty. So without further words he whip
hit him asNhard as he thought he de-
served.
That night Dick disappeared from Ham,
bright, and for weeks every evening at
dusk the wistful face Of Charlie CASTOR
could be seen on the big hill to the south
of town vainly watching for somebody.
He would always take something to eat
in MS pockets. and when he gave up his
vigil he would place the food under a big
shelving rock where they had often play
ed together. But the birds and ground
squirrels ate It. He would slip back the
next day hoping TO see Dick jump out of
the cave nd>surprise him.
And then at last he gave Il up. sat down
under. the rock and cried. He knew Dick
would grow TO be a man somewhere out
In the big world and never come back.
LOVES DREAM.
CHAPTER I