Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1903-11-19
CHAPTER XXI.

fire the Pilot would always read us
tales of the heroes of sacred story. and
these delighted Bill moro than those Of
any Of the ancient empires Of the past.
He had his favoritcs. Abraham. Mo-
SEES. Joshua, Gideon, never failed to
arouse his admiration. But Jacob was
TO him always "a mean cuss," and
David he could not appreciate. Most
of all he admired Moses and the apos.
tie Paul. whom he called that little
chap" But when the reading was
about the one Great Man that moved
majestic amid the gospel stories Bill
made no comments-he was too high
for approval
by and by Bill began TO tell these
tales to the boys, and one night, when
quiet mood had fallen upon the com
pany. Bill broke the silence.
Say. Pilot. where was il that the
little chap got mixed mp info that riot?"
Riot" said the Pilot
Yes. You remember when he stood
off the whole gang from the stairs?"
"Oh, yes, at Jerusalem"
Yes, that's the spot Perhaps you
would read that to the boys. Good
yarn. Little chap, you know, stood up
and told 'em they were all sorts Of
banked thieves and cutthroats and
stood 'em Off Played it alone too"
Most of the boys failed to recognize
the story in its new dress. There was
much interest.
"Who was the duck? Who was the
gang? What was the row about?"
The Pilot here'll tell you. If you'd
kind o give 'em a lead before you be-
gin, they'd catch on to the yarn bet.
ter This last to the Pilot, who was
preparing to read.
We'll, 1t was at Jerusalem" began
the Pilot, when Bill interrupted:
IF | might remark, perhaps it might
help the boys on to the trail. mcbhe. if
you'd tell 'em how the little chap struck
his new gait" So he designated the
apostles conversion.
Then the Pilot introduced the
apostle with some formality to the
company, describing with such vivid
touches his life and early training, his
sudden wrench from all he held dear
under the stress of a new conviction.
his magnificent enthusiasm and cour-
age, his tenderness and patience that
was surprised to find myself regarding
him as a sort Of hero, and the boys
were all ready to back him against any
odds. AS the Pilot read the story of
the arrest at Jerusalem, stopping now
and then to picture the scene, we saw il
all and were in the thick of It, The
raging cr)wd hustlinC and beating the
life ont of the brave little man, the sud
den thrust of the disciplined Roman
guard through the mass, the rescue, the
pause on the stairway, the calm face of
the little hero reckoning for a hearing,
the Quieting of the frantic frothing
mob, the fearless speech-all passed be-
fore us. The boys were thrilled
Good stuff, eh:"
"Aint he a daisy
Daisy. He's whole sundower
patch"
Yes drawled Bill, highly approci-
ating their marks of approval. That's
what | call a particker fine character
Of man. There amt no manner of in.
seeks on to him"
You bet" said Hi
Il say" broke in one of the bows
who was just emerging from the ten
derfoot stage, 90 course that's in the
Bible, amt it?"
The Pilot assented.
well, how do you know it's truo?"
The Pilot was proceeding TO elabo-
rate his argument when Bill cut in
somewhat more abruptly than was his
wont
Look here, young Teller" Rilrs
voice was in the tone of command.
The man looked as he was bid How
do you know anything's trucf How do
you know the Pilot here's true when
he speaks? Can't you tell by the feel?
You know by the sound of his voice,
don't you?" Bill paused, and the Young
fellow agreed readily.
"Well, how do you know BANKED
son of a she jackass when you see
him." Again Bill paused, There was
no reply.
We'll" said Bill, resuming his delih.
crate drawl, '1'll give you the informa-
ton without extra charge It's by the
sound he makes when he opens his
BANKED jaw"
But" went on the young skcptlc.
netted at the laugh that went round,
"that don't prove anything. You
know" turning to the Pilot that there
are heaps of people who don't believe
the Bible"
The Pilot nodded.
Some of the smartest, best educated
men are agnostics," proceeded the
young man, warming to his theme and
failing to notice the stffening Of Bills
lank figure. Il don't know but what
am one myself"
THAT sof" said Bill, with sudden in
terest
II guess So" was the modest reply.
"Got it bad" went on Bill, with a
note of anxiety in his tone.
But the young man turned to the
Pilot and tried to open fresh argu-
ment.
whatever he's got" said Bill to the
others in a mild voice, otis spoilin' his
manners.
yes" went on Bill meditatively aft
er the slight laugh had died, tits ruin
I'm to the judgment. He don't seem to
know when he interferes with the