Clarke courier. [volume] (Berryville, Va.) 1869-1997, 1903-12-02

| "Whatevcr he's got" said BIZ TO the
others in mild voice. ''it's spoIlin' his
| manners
| Yes" went ON Bill meditatively aft
er the slight laugh had died. Its ruin
in 10 the judgment He don't seem 10
know when he iuterferes with the
game. Pity toor'
still the argument went on.
Seems as IL he ought to take some
thin" said Bill in a voice suspiciousiy
mild. what would you suggestT"
"a wax. mebber' said Hi I'm delisht-
ed expectation.
Il hold the opinion that you have
mentioned an uncommonIy valuable
remedy-better N pain killer almost"
Bill rose languidly.
Il say" he drawled, tapping the
young fellow. lit appears to me a little
walk would perhaps be good. mebbe."
"All right: wait till | get my cap
was the unsuspecting reply.
Il don't think perhaps you won't
need II. mebbe. | cherish the opinion
you'll perhaps be warm enough" Bills
voice had uncOnsciously passed into a
sterner tone. Iii was on his feet and
at the door
This here interview is private and
confidential" SAID Bill to his partner
Exactly" said Hi. opening the door.
| At this the young fellow. who was a
strapping six footcr. but soft and
fabby. drew back and refused TO 20.
| He was too late. Bills grip was on his
collar and out they went into the snow,
AMI behind them Hi closed the door.
In vain the young fellow struggled TO
wrench himself free from the hands
that had him Ivy the shoulder and the
back OF the neck. I took it all i'm from
the window. He might have been a
boy for all the effect his plungings had
upon the long. sinewy arms that
| grippcd him so fiercely After a min
ute's furious struggle the young fell
low stood quiet. when Bill suddenly
shifted his grip from the shoulder to
the seat OF his buckskin trousers. Then
began series OF cvolutions before the
house. mp and down. forward and
/ back. which the unfortunate victim
with hands wildly clutching at empty
air. was quite powerless To resist till
he was brought up. painting and gasp
ing. Suhdued. TO standstin
I'll larn YOU agnOstics and several
other kinds OF tricks" said Bill I'm a
terrible voice. his draw lengthening
perceptibly. Come round here. will
you. and shove your blanked second
handed trash down our throats:" Bill
paused TO get words; then. bursting out
in rising wrath:
There amt no sOotsble words for
sich conduct. BY the Twin JENNY
He suddenly swung his prisoner of his
feet, lifted him bodily and held him
over his head at arms length. I've a
notion to-
Don't. Don't! For heavens saker
cried the struggling wretch. "Tn stor
IL. l will.'
Bill at once lowered him and set him
on his feet.
''All right. Shake"' he said. holding
out his hand. which the other took
with caution.
IL was n remarkably sudden CONVEX
sion and lasting in its effects There
was no more agnosticism I'm the little
group that gathered around the Pilot
for the nightly reading.
The interest in the reading kept
growing night 10y night
Seems as IL the Pilot was gittin' in
his work" said Bill to me. and looking
at the grave. eager faces l agreed. lie
was getting in his work with Bill. too:
though perhaps Bill did not know il.
| remember one night. when the others
had gone, the Pilot was reading to us
the parable OF the talents and Bill was
particularly interested i'm the servant
who failed in his duty.
"Ornery cuss. eh?' he remarked.
And gall, too. Ell? Served him blamed
we'll right. in my opinion
But when the practical bearing OF
the parable became clear to him, after
long silence, he said slowly:
well, that there seems 10 indicate
that It's about time FOR me 10 get a
rustic on" Then. after another silence.
he said hesItatingly: This here church
buildin' business now. do you think
that III perhaps count. mebbeI guess
not, eh? faint much, OF course. any
way" Poor Bill, he was like child.
and the Pilot handled him with a
mothers touch.
What are you best ut. BlnT'
Bronco Dustin and cattle" said
BIZ wonderingly. That's my line"
We'll, Bin. my line is preaching Just
now and plotting. you know" The
Pilots smile was like 4 sunbeam on a
rainy day. for there were tears in his
eyes and voice. And we have just got
TO be faithful. You see what he says:
We'll done, good and faithful servant.
Thou hast been faithful"
Bill was puzzled.
Faithful he repeated. Does that
mean with the cattle. perhaps?"
Yes, that's just it. Bill, and with
everything else that comes your way"
And Bill never forgot that lesson. for
! heard him, with kind OF quiet en-
thusiasm, giving ii TO Hi as great
lind. Now, l call that fair deal" he
said 10 his friend. "Gives every man
a show. No cards up the sleeve"
THAT'S So" was Hrs thoughtful re-
ply; distributes the trumps."
Somehow Bill came 10 be regarded
as an authority upon questions Of re-
hgion and morals. No one ever nc
cused him OF 'gettIn' religion" He
went about his work in his slow. quiet
way. but he was always sharing his
discoveries with 1.-THE h0ys" And II
any one puzzled him with subtleties he
never rested till he had him face Ia
face with the Pilot. And so 1t came
that these two drew To each other with
more than brOtherly affection. When
Bill got into difficulty with problems
that have vexed the souls OF men far
wiser than he. the Pilot would either