Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1903-10-16
CHAPTER Y.
FIRST BLOOD.


C nerves are steadiest. But l
was determined to try to have the
baseball match postponed. There could
be no difficulty. One day was as much
of a holiday as another to these easy
going fellows. But the Duke, when I
suggested change in the day, simply
raised his eyebrows an eighth Of an
inch and said:
Cant see why the day should be
changed" Bruce stormed and swore
all sorts Of destruction upon himself
If he was going to change his style Of
life for any man. The others followed
the Dukes lead.
That Sunday was day OF 1ncon-
gruities. The old and the new, the
east and the west, the reverential past
and the iconoclastic present were
jumbling themselves together in bewil-
dering confusion. The baseball match
was played with much vigor and pro-
family. The expression on the Pilots
face as he stood watching for awhile
was a curious mixture Of interest, sur
prise, doubt and pain. He was read
justing himself. He was so made as
to be extremely sensitive to his sur
roundings. He took on color quickly.
The utter indifference to, the audacious
disregard OF all he had hitherto consid-
cred sacred and essential was discon-
certing. They were all so dead sure.
How did he know they were wrong?
1t was his first near view Of practical,
living skepticism. Skeptcism In a
book did not disturb him; he could put
down words against it. But here it
was alive, cheerful, attractive, indeed
fascinating; for these men In their
western garb and with their western
swing had captured his Imagination.
He was in q fierce struggle, and in q
few minutes saw him disappear into
the coulee.
Meantime the match went uproar-
iously on to q finish, with the result
that the champions Of Home had ito
stand the pain killer" their defeat be-
ing due chiefly to the work Of Hi and
Bronco Bill as pitcher and catcher.
The celebration was in full swing, or,
as Hi put it, 'the boys were takin'
their pizen good an calm," when In
walked the Pilot. His face was still
troubled and his lips were drawn and
blue, as If he were in pain. A silence
fell on the men as he walked in
through the crowd and up to the bar.
He stood q moment hesitating, looking
round upon the faces, flushed and hot,
that were now turned toward him in
curious defiance. He noticed the look,
and it pulled him together. He faced
about toward old Latour and asked
him in q high, clear voice:
as this the room you said we might
have"
The Frenchman shrugged his shoul-
ders and said:
There Is not any more"
The lad paused for an instant, but
only for an instant. Then. lifting a
pile Of hymn books he had near him
on the counter, he said in a grave,
sweet voice and with the quiver Of a
smile about his lips:
"Gentlemen, Mr. Latour has allowed
me this room for a religious service.
It will give me great pleasure If you
will all join" and Immediately he
handed a book to Bronco Bill, who,
surprised, took it as If he did not know
what to dc with it. The others fol-
lowed Broaco's lead till he came to
Bruce. who refused, saying roughly:
"No, don't want it; I've no use for
itv'
The missionary flushed and drew
back as If he had been struck, but Inn.
mediately, as if unconsciously, the
Duke, who was standing near,
stretched out his hand and said, with
a courteous bow, Il thank you,
should be glad Of one"
Thank you," replied the Pilot sim
ply as he handed him book. The
men seated themselves upon bench
that ran round the room or leaned up
against the counter, and most Of them
took off their hats. Just then in came
Muir, and behind him his little wife.
In an instant the Duke was on his
feet, and every hat came off.
The missionary stood up at the bar
and announced the hymn, Jesus,
Lover of My Soul" The silence that
followed was broken by the sound Of
q horse galloping. A buckskin bronco
shot past the window, and in few
moments there appeared at the door
the Old Timer He was about to stride
in when the unusual sight Of row
of men sitting solemnly with hymn
books in their hands held him fast at
the door. He gazed in an amazed,
HELPLESS way upon the men. then at the
missionary. then back at the men, and
stood speechless. Suddenly there was
a high. shrill. boyish laugh, and the
men turned to see the missionary III
fit of laughter 1t certainly was Il
shock to any lingering ideas Of religious
propriety they might have about them;
but the contrast between his frank,
laughing face and the amazed and dis
custed face of the shaggy old man IN
the doorway was too much for them
and one by one they gave way to roars
of laughter. The Old Timer. however
kept his face unmoved. strobe up TO
the bar and nodded to old Latour, VINO
served him his drink, which he TOOK
at gulp.
Here, old man" called out Bill. Get
info the game: here's your deck! offer