Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1905-10-10

been, but even the captain did not
know that the money that paid her
board and as she grew older for her
gowns and schooling came from the
| bigoted, stern old hermit living alone
in the old house at Orham.
In Orham and in other sections Of the
Cape as we'll there is a sect called by
the ungodly the "Come Cutters" They
were originally seceders from the Meth
odist churches who disapproved Of
modern innovations. They come out"
once week to meet at the houses of
the members, and theirs are lively
meetings. John Baxter was a "Come
Outer" and ever since the enterprising
Mr.. Saunders opened his billiard room
the old mans TRADES of righteous
wrath had been directed against this
den Of iniquity. Since it became
known that Web had made application
for the license it was regular amuse-
ment for the unregenerate to attend
the gatherings Of the "Come Cutters
and hear John Baxter call down fire
from heaven upon the billiard room,
Its proprietor and its patrons. Orham
people had begun to say that John
Baxter was billiard saloon crazy"
And John Baxter was Captain Eris
friend, friendship that had begun in
school when the declaimer Of Patrick
Henry's liberty or death" speech Oh
examination day took fancy to and
refused to laugh at the little chap who
tremblingly ventured to assert that be
loved "little pussy, her coat is so
warm" The two had changed places
until now it was Captain Fri who pro-
tected und advised.
When the captain raped at John
Bakers kitchen door no one answered,
and after yelling "Ship ahoy" through
the keyhole number of times he was
forced to the conclusion that his friend
was not at home.
"You lookin' fer Cap'n Baxter?"
queried Mrs. Sarah Taylor, who lived
Just across the road Hes gone to
Come Outers'' meetin', l guess.
There's one up to Barzilla Smalrs to-
night
Mr.. Barzilla Small lived in that part
of the village called "down to the
neck" and when the captain arrived
there he found the parlor filed with
the devout, who were somewhat sur
prised to see him.
"Why, Err" whispered John Baxter,
II didn't expect to. see you here I'm
glad, though. Lord knows, every God
fearin' man in this town has need to be
on his knees this night. Have you
heard about it?"
"Cap'n John means about the rum
sellin' license that Web Saunders has
got" volunteered Miss Melissa Bus
teed, leaning over from her seat in the
patent rocker that had been the pre-
MUM earned by Mrs. Small for selling
$50 pounds Of tea for a much adver-
tised house. "Ain't it awful? says to
Prissy Baker this mornin soon g I
heard of it, 'Prissy,' s. l, therell be
Judgment on this town sure's you're a
livin' woman s. 1. Says she, That's
SO, Missy s. she, and says
Well, when Miss Busted talks inter-
ruptions are futile, so Captain Fri sat
silent as the comments Of at least one
tenth of the population Of Orham were
poured into his ears. The recitation
was cut short by Mrs. Smalps vigorous
pounding on the center table.
Were blessed this evenin'," said the
hostess, with emotion, "in havin' MI.
Perley with us. He's goin' to lead the
meetin'"
The Rev. Mr.. Perley-reverend by
courtesy; he had never been ordained
stood up, cleared his throat With vigor,
rose an inch or two on the toes Of a
very squeaky pair Of boots, sank to
heel level again and announced that
every one would join in singing hymn
No. 10, emitting the second and fourth
stanzas; hymn No. no, second and
fourth stanzas omitted" The melodeon,
torlnented by Mrs. Laurania Bassett,
shrieked and groaned, and the hymn
was sung. So was another and yet an
other. Then Mr.. Perley squeaked to his
tiptoes again, subsidized and began q
lengthy and feryent discourse.
"Oh, brothers and sisters" he shout
ed, here we are a-kneelin' at the al
tars foot, and what's goin' on outside?
Why, the DEVILS got his clutches in our
midst. The horn Of the wicked is ex-
allied. They're sellin' rum-rum-in
this town! They're a-sellin' rum and
drinkin' Of it and gloryin' in their
shame. But the Lord ain't asleep. He's
got his eye on 'em. He's watchin' 'em.
And some of these fine days he'll send
down fire out Of heaven and wipe 'em
off the face of the earth!" CAmen!
Glory, glory, glory!'')
John Baxter was on his feet, his lean
face working, the perspiration shining
on his forehead, his eyes cleaning like
lamps under his rough white eyebrows
and his clinched fists pounding the
back Of the chair in front of him. His
halleluiahs were the last to cease. Cap
tain Err had to use some little force to
pull him down on the sofa again.
Then Mrs. Small struck up, "Oh,
brother, have you heard?" And they
sang 1t with enthusiasm Next Miss