The Montgomery advertiser., 1903-12-13

aid in His work?" asked the parson. Just then the biggest of the bad men banged his gun through the roof, and ! swiped the parsons one with his left hand | The lick kinder staggered the preacher. Everybody was standing up and looking nervous. I was watching Gus. The preacher came back like a drunk InJun and he sent a terrible lick to the fellows l jaw. Down the man rolled and his gun went with him. One of 'em, when he seen what manner of man the parson was, reached for his gun, but before he could do business, Gus had whipped out | that old fl Colt and knocked him sense- | less saw what side Gus was on an I had my gun in the other fellows face before he could tell what had happened Well the folks was all on our side then and the bad men had to get out, and get out quick. If they'd been there much longer, think we would have seen things sure enough.
 We had monstrous revival that night. All of the folks were for helping the parson. and Gus and me to make the town good. and there was lots of crying, praying and singing.
 When the church was cleared of all but Gus and me and the parson. Gus turned to the parson and said:
 Frank. don't you remember Haverly. Barksdale, %. your old chum?
 ''I don't know what they meant. but 1t seemed to tickle the parson nightly. and he and Gus, they laughed and cried over each other for some time. I got out and waited for him on the outside. When we was walking back to barracks that night. Gus told me about it.
 Back wonder some five years ago. he said. I was a gentleman and a col- lege man. Frank Rogers. the preacher, was class mate of mine. and we were great cronies,, Before graduated, fell into bad habits. as you know, was fired from college and rather than to return home, enlisted. I lost sight of Rogers and didn't see him until the last night I came in from town badly intoxicated. was in saloon that night and I saw Rogers come in and talk to the proprie tor about what he was trying to do. He didn't recognize me in the uniform and l didn't want to let him recognize me just then. The other night, heard about the proposed advent of the bad men. Frank and used to be very close to each other and if could help 1t, I made up my mind, he'd win out in his fight. You know the rest
 Gus stayed in the arTry another year. His enlistment expired and he didn't take the oath again. Last time l heard of old
 
 Ohio but I bet he ain't never going to forget the first time. he acted evange- list"
 Miss Yeardley Controlled the Box. The deputy sheriff stretched his legs smiled. yawned, got up and walked about the floor.
 Funny things happen in politics. he mused Then aloud. II was just think ing of old Joe Yeardley
 old man Joe comes from one of our ! aristocrattc families. Regular old timer to him. or leastwise to his prospects"
 I settled back on the bench. as I saw the deputy was reminiscent.
 Old Joe was raised on the fat of the land" the deputy went on. went to col lege and was considered one of the com ing young men of the State. He had horses and dogs. and clothes, and niggers anu bad habits in plenty. After the war, Old Joe had the habits and d blushing bride. To. e.r
 But his days of easy living had played the wild with him. Old Joe wouldn't work for anything or anybody. He kept up ap- pearances by wearing big muStache and a goatee. smoking black cigar, and tell ing folks about what he and his folks used to be. One time he had sign, at torney at law which gave him right to run for the Legislature. Time and again he tried it. but folks had forgot how to vote for the Yeardley's. although there was a time when they used to do it regular. Times had changed though, and it wasn't any cinch for a man to get | elected just because his folks used to own niggers. Every time old man Xeard- ley ran he landed a fair vote. He had lots of friends, old fellows, who served with him in the war. and he was kin to nearly every big man in the county, but somehow ernuther he couldn't land the floating vote that carries elections. High and7mlghtied 1t too much. l reckon; told voters about how fine. he and his folks | were, and not how fine they were.
 ''Fhe old man got to coming around the jail of nights. Didn't have anything bet ter to do, and we always kept good fire there fin the winter and palm leaf