The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1905-02-12
COWBOY THEOLOGY.
4 Methodist Lesson Given To Bill Eyetuns.
and by Him Passed on to n Baptist.

- LCNHOn Ohttl 70 blll Eytlunhg
and by Him Passed on to n baptist
MACON, Mo. Feb. ll.--"From a religious
point OF view the most earnest and conscien-
tious man / ever met was big six foot Bill
Eyetung, boss herder for John Stephens,
who used to live here" said James w.
White, former Sheriff of Macon county,
and now a steward in the First Christian
Church When ! was punching cattle
along Mountain Creek. in northwestern
Texas became tolerably well acquainted
with Eyetung. and found him as straight
as a shinge in all his dealings.
Like they are in most places the Meth
odsts were the forcrunners in carrying tho
Gospel TO that end OF Texas. and Eyetung
was one of their earliest converts. All
the cowboys attended religious services
and enjoyed them. They went clad in
their usual business garb - somberos
boots and pistols.
Brother Weaver, a strenuous revivalist
was conducting a meeting while | was
there. and he had the boys considerably
worked up about their spiritual condition.
One evening after a particularly strong
sermon, the eIhorter asked all those who
wanted TO lead better life TO kneel with
him in prayer. Very nearly the entire con-
gregation knelt at the rough board seats.
Some half dozen-myself included, | re-
greet TO say-remained standing.
Bill observed us, and he bawled out
Hold on. parsonl There's six OF 'em
still standingl'
The pr acher went on with his prayer,
affecting not to hear the interruption.
But Bill determined there shouldn't be any
mistake.
-'Pason.' he said generously, there's
Jim White. Charley Jones. Badly Pete,
I.ariat Sam, Dick Schuster and the Texas
Kid watts still wallern' in Their sinsP He
pointed US out as he named US, so the
preacher would not be maled
1T seemed a trine personal in Bill TO act
that way, but instead of getting mad the
denounced ones either piled out Of the
windows or knelt down. The preacher
felt somewhat cut up about 1t, and after
the - ryices he tried TO explain TO his en-
thusiastic convert in simple language
Brother William, he said. when Jim
Whites cattle get Off the range and go on
a stampede into Mexico you don't worry
about that?'
Not me. parson.' replied Bill. I've
troubles o my own.
When a Mexican crosses the border
and commences plugging at Charley Jones,
Badly Pete and the other boys with his
Winchester you always stay on your side
of the fence, don't YOU?
Course does; 1t amt my mix in
II Lariat Sans grandmother was to
die you wouldn't sit up nights Leading in
the weeping? You'd leave that TO sum,
wouldn't you?'
1 see what you're hintin at, parson,
said Bill. W hen | was tryin' TO make
them heather COW men get good | was
trampin' outside my preserves.
hats about 1t, Bill, returned the
PFs"G Cert Wen Gnin Makes s9G 1 wG throw
alters wants ter know it,
Not long after the revival was con-
cluded delegation Of strangers waited
on Bill and asked hum rs one Of the tr1is-
tees of the church, for Official sanction to
| hold services there.
What's yer igion? quoth Bill.
Weare Baptists. sir, replied the spokes-
man,
Well. let me Ak yer a question, my
Baptist frien said William. gravely.
| his wires an lands over in Mexico yer
don't let that bother yer eh?'
VIII tn brother please tell us what
he's driving at?' asked the Baptist. with
dignity.
When dago comes acrost tn border an
! begins pluggin' at Charley Jones an Badly
! Pete an Sassafras Jake an tn other boys
with his repeater. yer alters stops on yer
side tn fence. don't yer?'
We certainly would keep out Of range
| while the shooting was going on.
En- course yer would. ef yer amt n
! lunatc An ef Lariat Sans grandmother
--'sposn' he ever had one-was ter UP an
die. yer wouldn't set up nights shown Sam
how ter turn on tn tears? Yer'd let sam
| boss that job. wouldn't yer2'
II it was a funeral Of Sans relative
said the Baptist brother. common decacy
would suggest that he be allowed the posi-
ton of chief mourner.'
I'm glad yer understand said Bill
as II the matter had been settled to their
satisfaction
'Understand?' said the applicant, in
perpeSity.
Yes, said Bill. i thought l made it
plain huff for a Digger Injun Don't yer
see, we're Methodists here, an this amt
where yer crowd mixes in. Ter be plain,
| yer don't get our Gospel shack 10 hold no
| forty gallon meetin' in. an If yer at ter
| proselytin' mong my herders yerl find
more trouble in this land than in tn world
ter comel Amenl
They understood that, and no one ever
succeeded in convincing Bi that Brother
! Weaver's little primer lesson didn't fit the
| proposition Of the Baptist brethren like a
| stopper TO a half pint flask.