The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1906-08-22

tain little Kentucky city famous for its Presbyterian
ISM
The captain had the color of half the oceans of
the globe, and just serving as government
expert at the steel works in PENNSYLVANIA In addi-
ton to which honorable position he held another
less to his credit-that of vestryman in an Episcopal
church.
The cattleman strange but typical figure rep
resentative OF passing class his world bounded OH
the west by his New Mexico ranch and on the east
by the Grown Palace" in Denver. Hard of visage
coarse of tongue his eyes yet shone with tears and
his voice rembled he told of the death of his son
IN the fierce days of the frontier of decade since
Presently the train came to stop No living thing
was visible on the face of that sunburnt landscape
save Il swarming "town" of scuttling prarie-dogs
Evidently something about the engine had caused the
halt in the desert-an inference confirmed by the
shrll whistle that signaled for the agman 90 back
along the line. The piercing note sent every little
brown citizen of the praire-dog settlement headrst
INTO the nearest hole-save one, a big .elow who sat
up straight, as if to show that he at least was I'M
daunted by the stoppage of the ''limied" at their
town site.
The minister noted the little sentinel "Wsh I
had my rifle here, he muttered. The cattleman look
ed at him and laughed significantly. The colonel's
eye measured the distance. He smiled politely and
said: cts good hundred yards if it's an inch
sir. 1t would take mighty good shot"
Iadys voice sounded suddenly and he sprang to
ms feet hat in hand like the true Kentuckian he was
l beg your pardon for intrudng. gentlemen the
dainty newcomer said, she paused half-uncertainv
at the door of the smoking 81 was passing the
door and heard someone wishing for rifle I have
one here that I'm taking to my husband at Las
Vegas
All eyes turned to the minister and the cattIeman
Ioareu again Its up to you reverend he guffawed
i IL bet the cigars you're sorry you spoke!" Even
the captain despite his churchmany respect for the
"cloth," could not repress a smile The colonel bowed
me tn fhonk for
May hand the gun to the doctor, and then escort
you outside to join spectator of his fortunes p,
The minister appeared to be rejecting uncomfort-
ably that the cattleman's blunt comment was very
close to the truth But he recognized that the stua-
ton was indeed sup to" him. There was nothing else
to do-and he took the gun studied the sights care
fully moment, stepped off the train cuddled the
stock an instant to his cheek and before the ewes of
the assembling passengers he shot the distant prairie
dog so dead that it simply collapsed in the mouth of
its burrow.
The cattleman was struck dumb The cantain be.
gan gravely to pace off the distance to the animal
The colonel gave the negro porter dime and ordered
him to fetch the trophy. second whistle from the
engine warned that it was again to resume its wav
The captain finished his asurements at trot and
everyone bundled aboard-the colonel CALAMITY assist
ing the lady the minister carrying the borrowed rifle
the porter ''toting" the prairie dog bv the fail
In the smoking the catteman solemnlv ex
tended his hand to the minister 'I beg your pardon
Tor thinking you were bluf1ng, reverend" he said
put you see, never met your kind before And
you know as well as do that they'll never believe
this when tell it at the ranch!"
IIo relapsed into silence that was hardly bro1o,
tll evening, when the train drew up before the new
ana beautiful station at Albuquerque Then he said.
Gentlemen it was mp to the reverend before but
JUS up to me now 7 won't take No for an answer
you We got to have drink me-" A moment later
ders VIC "
Lemonade for me-" said the minister "rhe same -
said the colonel. zone more" said the captain The
cattleman drew back hand that was already reach
ing toward a ready bottle.