The star. (Reynoldsville, Pa.) 1892-1946, 1907-07-17
UNCLE TOM BARKER.
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| was all lnleInui lOOi, iol He wash IL
coming. He laid bare his strong arms
and shook his long hair and said he
wished the lying, deceiving hypocrite
would come, for 1t had been nigh on
to IA years since he had made a
preacher dance.
Saturday morning by 9 o'clock the
settlers began to gather. They came
on foot and on horseback, and In carts
men, women and children, and be-
fore IL o'clock there were more peo-
pie at the crossroads than had ever
been there before Bill Jones was mad
at their credulity, but he had an eye
to business, and kept behind his
counter and sold more whiskey in an
hour than he had sold in a month. AS
the appointed hour drew near the set
tiers began to look down the leng,
straight read that "Old Sledge" would
come, If he came at all, and every man
whose head came in sight just over
the rise of the distant hill was close
ly scrutinized.
More than once they said, "Yonder
he comes-that's him, shore" But no,
it wasn't him.
Some half a dozen had old bulls
eye silver watches, and they compared
time, and just at 1856 o'clock the old
horse thief exclaimed
Il see Tom Barker a risin' of the
hill. | haint seed him for II years,
but, gintlemen, that ar's him, or I'm
liar"
And it was him.
AS he got nearer and nearer, a voice
seemed to be coming with him, and
some said Hes talkin' to himself"
another said, Hes a-talkin' to God
Almighty" and another said, "Ill be
burned If he ain't a-prayin," but very
soon 1t was decided that he was
"singin' of a hime"
BIZ Jones was soon advised OF all
this, and, coming up to the front, said,
"Darned II he amt singing before !
axed him, but I'll make him sing an
other tune till he is tired. III pay
him for his onsulting message I'm not
a-gwine to kill him, boys. I'll leave
life in his rotten old carcass, but
that's all. If any of you'n want to
hear Old Sledge preach, you'll have to
go ten miles from the roads to do it."
Slowly and solemnly the preacher
came. AS he drew near he narrowed
down his tune and looked kindly upon
the crowd. He was a massive man in
frame, and had heavy suit Of bark
brown hair, but his face was clean
shaTol, and showed a nose and lips
O.. - of firmness and great deter
f1,aation.
Look at him, boys, and mind your
eyes" said the horse thief.
Where will | find my friend, Bill
Jones?' inquired "Old Siedge."
All round they pointed him to the
man.
Riding up close he said: "My friend
and brother, the good Lord has sent
me to you. and ask your hospitality
for myself and my beast" and he slow
Nv dismounted and faced his foe as
though expecting a kind reply.
the crisis hau come and Bill Jones
met it.
"You internal old hypocrite; you
cussed old shaven-faced scoundrel;
didn't you know that I had swored an
oath that I would make you sing and
dance, and whip you besides If you
ever dared to pizen these crossroads
with your shoe tracks? Now sing,
d-n you, sing and dance as you sing"
ard he emphasized his command with
ringing slap with his open hand up
on the parsons face.
"Old Sledge" recoiled with pain and
surprise.
Recovering in moment, he said:
well, Brother Jones, did not ex-
pect so warm a welcome, but If this
be your crossroads manners I suppose
I must sing" and as Devil Bill gave
him another slap on his other Jaw he
began with:
My soul, be on thy guard.
And with his long arm suddenly
and swiftly gave Devil Bill an open
handler that nearly knocked him off
his feet, while the parson continued
to sing in splendid tenor voice.
Ten thousand foes arise.
Never was lion more aroused to
frenzy than was Bill Jones. With his
powerful arm he made at Old Sledge
as If to annihilate him with one blow,
and many horrid oaths, but the par
son Tended off the stroke as easily as
practiced boxer, and with his left
hand dealt Bill settler on his peep
ers as he continued to sing:
Oh, watch, and fight, and pray,
The battle ne'er give DER.
But Jones was plucky to despera-
ton. and the settlers were watching
with bated breath. The crisis was at
hand, and he squared himself,
| and his clenched fists flew thick and
fast upon the parsons frame ana for
| while disturbed his equilibrium and
his song. But he rallied quickly and
began the offensive as he sang:
Ne'er think the victory won,
Nor lay thine armor down
Ho hackad hfo odvar,orr, .x,..-,-.