The Olneyville times. (Olneyville [Providence, R.I.]) 1887-1917, 1905-01-27

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preacher paused and a tingle OF excite
ment touched the crowd. The other
five Pointers sprang up and hurried
| down the aisle menacingly. Their
! faces indicated a determination TO de
molish the obstruction at the door on
! quick time.
-Four men on each side rose up quietly
door. -Four rose up on each side Of the
aisle, and four came down the aisle
after the Pointers.
The audience, after It caught It's
breath, was ready to break into a
panic.
"Parson,' said Billy in a reassuring
tone, you'll excuse me for sayin'
word. All you people just keep your
seats, perfectly quiet, there amt goin'
to he a bit OF trouble. Now, parsOn,
give ont a hymn, and all of you sing
good and loud"
"TIl be hanged il there won't be
trouble mighty quick If you don't clear
that door" said the leader of the Point
ers, starting forward.
Billy stepped squarely in front OF
him.
Don't get excited now, boys" he
said, mildly. You amt goin out that
door and it'll be- better not to make a
fuss, and l wouldn't use any cuss
wOrds-therc's women and children
here"
The audience had caught its cue ana
was singing with nervous loudness.
The Pointers drew closo together. Tney
looked ugly. Their 6ands were at their
hip pockets; several revolvers were
half drawn At n nod from Billy the
twelve men drew around in a close
circle. They were picked men, cool.
headed, but obstinate enough To tight
to the death to enforce their order
Boys said Billy still speaking in
an even tone, "go back and sit down
in the front seat and stay till you are
told to leave Itll be better to listen
to the preacher now than To have him
preachin' over YOU tomorrow when
you can't hear"
The rowdieS glanced around the cir.
Gle and knew these men were not
blutiing. nor were they to be blutted.
They parlcycd a minute among them
selves.
I'VE don't have to go back, said the
leader
Maybe not" said Billy; then I'm
afraid wcll have to carry YOU
The circle drew a little closer, alert,
ready.
The rowdics turned about Sulleuly
and walked back to the front seat
-Four citizens sat down in the ends Of
the seat beside them eight in the seat
behind
The services proceeded with the best
of order
When the congregation arose to be
| dismissed, Billy leaned forward and
said.
Just stay where you are, boys, till
all the crowds gone"
Directly all were gone but the Point
crs and their guards. There was few
minutes pause.
"Jimmy' said Billy 10 one OF the
! younger men. give us a little poetry.
1t has powerful rehnin' influence"
Jimmy went 10 the front and rected
"Curfew Must Not Ring Tonight" and
at calls for more gave the sailor Boy"
ana "Biugen on the Rhine"
The Pointers stirred in their seats
ana one OF them swore under his
breath.
quiet" commanded one OF the
guards.
Now, Dick" said Billy, read us a
chapter on Etiket.'
Dick produced a nine hundred page
compendium OF universal knowledge
and read twenty pages on how TO dress,
how TO care for the hair and nails, how
10 dance, how to carry on conversation
aud how to act in public. lie read
slowly and IL was il.1O when he Fir.
ished. The whisky was dying out in
the Pointers and they began 10 feet
sleepy and mean.
SAY said the leader. in an ar at
tempt to be friendly, "ain't that about
enough"
Dick said Billy, II see he amt
| Nhh~hN AAt lNlhAS ~ AA' At0s NaHNANA'
Read it again
There was no furthe- interruption.
Tom" said Billy. these feliers
missed tho lesson tonight. They need
little scripture seein' il is sunday
Suppos,n' YOU read us a Chronicle oI
two" 1t was quarter past midaigh;
when he finished
The Pointers were weary. fearfully
weary. They were sleepy. too, and
fifteen miles from their beds. rhey
looked around appcalingly, but there
was no encourl cement.
Now" said Billy. these young nor
need a little history knowledge. All
you may read the Declaration OF lnde
) pendencC." It was finished at 1.3O
The bench was very hard. One o
the weary Pointers twisted in his seat
Another dozed. but a terrific jab II
the ribs from the elbow OF one OF tn,
guards brought him back with q grun'