The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1903-03-22
THE PiNEvILLE CRUSADERS.

vira?' Sias morning as he was look
ing over his newspaper at the breakfast table.
What tonfool are you talkin OFF, answered
his wife. she finished her second coffee and
helped herself another slice OF toast.
oh, Al this stuff in the paper. Here's nearly half
column bout the Pinevle Crusaders your names
in capital letters at the head ont snum, AIvira
tnued Sias. throwing down the paper and thrusng
fork a little savagely huge slice bacon seems
TO me that when you get your name in the newspaper
in capital letters yere maxim yerself mighty conspc
uous"
Well, supposn' I be-" answered Alvira cooly. you
ought be proud To Pinevine
Crusaders is honor that any might proud
Of
sho. We don't say continued silas a little i'm
pressed by Aviras important Jest tell Teller
what it al means, Alvira, an maybe III begin to feel
proud too"
Avira cleared her throat. pushed back her hair and
lifting her husbands thought
fully through the window
The Pineville Crusaders began in a deep earnest
voice band of who have organized crusade
against the growing evil and uncleanness of the of
Pinevlle Against the of liquor and tobacco
anight playing and loafng. Against
expectoratng tobacco juice sidewalk all dis
orderly habits dsfgure public highway
They pledge themselves single efforts,
from the all unsghtly objects and all in
their toward improving and identifying
their efforts until the of Pinevie shall blossom
into vertabe Garden of Eden
Sounds jest if We a readin a book
and slowly rising took his pipe from
his pocket and began filling it from Jar
the mantel.
Alvira colored she answered shortly:
Lucinda Peters
TESTS I thought answered Snes. grmly.
knew Lucinda dead agn the menfok enjoyin'
themselves She's got dare say souls
his an he'd think pitcher cider
from his barrel thought saying by your leave.
ALL feIler Slas long pull his pipe with
air of great satisfaction
Alvira sat down the piles of plates she gath
ering, and eyed her husband sterny.
1t would be good thing. Silas Holbrook some
would likewise. nc in all
things
silas knocked tile ashes his pipe placed upon
the mante with deep in his pockets
gazed though: rui1y of the window.
Now, thatq Jest where we've hit the head
Alvra." said he last 90 course, moderation
III all things should be- but faint allus
that forget it
What do you slas?' said Alvira quickly
oh amt specifyin anythin' jest now. Avira ard
I amt sayn' a word agin the Crusaders Maybe it's
goin TO be fine thing for Pinevie fur, land knows
the town needs good clearin up spring o. the
year An as for us menfoks. were poor lot. poor
lot and Sias walked of the mournful
I'm a little of that opinion myself muttered she.
few days after this conversation the male gossps
of the little village congregated at their
usual place of rendezvous Jake wetheres grocery
strange air of depression seemed hang
group, usually loquacious.
Suddenly the door opened Sias Hoibrook walked
in, carrying in hand huge bandbox Placing 1t
carefully on the counter, he handed Jake a
slip of with list of groceries put up. Then
silent group about the rusty old steve.
Anybody dead?
Not jest yet, but ailin' answered Bill
Thompson.
q" 'Tain't smallpox is it?' inquired Sas anxously.
Joe Cummings, burly young farmer arose.
Now look her, ST Holbrook,' said a grunly
don't you pertendin you don't know what's
rim us when Avira's the head O. the whole
Jest though it want bad when Lucinda
started the woman's club five years
to since, get suppers club
me- IN nd theyV sta ed
take away all the of privileges
oh that's where the shoe pnches it," said Silas,
chuckling little helped himself a lump of
from the next barrel well. Joe it is the best thing
that's happened in Pinevile.
so you're a sidin' long the wimenfolks, be ye?"
spoke up Bill Thompson.
Every time, Bill every time Sas.
fully. Though between youn me- ain. lettin' 'em
know jest yet don't do heady, ye
know. all once" added he with grin.
That's what's been the trouble all along" said Joe
Cummings goomiy. we've gin their heads
there's teln' where they'll stop"
There's three things womenfolks do that I'm pizen
agin" Bill Thompson ems trsiln'
long gowns through the streets "a wearing tarnal
great the meetin house an havin' many
o Tryphena, she'll home them
an she can't eat mite o supper but she'll get
bowl O bread and milk if want it. An then she'll
evening about the nice things she's had
them teas
he stepped down from his the
sugar barrel.
But speakin' o. hats makes think a
We know AN course Alvira had to have brand
and he walked SLOWLY toward the
door.
Suddenly paused. snum" said he, II like to have
forgot sornetfin special gon' to to ye and
turning back he himself the sugar
barrel.
Easter Sunday dawned bright and clear, and though
coming early the the air and frag
breath of spring. Avira Holbrook walked
rompIacerty little village church in all the glory
Of new attire. tp-toe:ns carefully behind glossy
new silk hat upon his grizzly head which he
sea ted himself he did not remove.
The congregation was a large and intent
women examining each others attire the services
were fairly begun before they noticed that not
1r boy in removed his hat a GREATNESS ST
ence seemed them each one gazed with
wondering eyes at companion. while the
sighted parson bending earnestly his sermon preach
d on unconscious of anything wrong
Suddenly. from different parts OF the church came
;tined whispers Of Take of your hat Take of your
hat responded
with crimson and eyes, Alvira whispered
1oarselv .sas Hobrook take of your hat But Silas
seemed hear
Ev this time the female portion Of the congregation
lad become restIes sand excited though in the
annals Of that church husbands and sons seemed
more interested in the sermon
AZ last an idea came AviTs She lifted her hands.
rev OUT her hatpns wonderful connection %
gathers flowers and fell softly into her lap Lucin