Evening journal., 1907-04-29

"OsLoEdf" he burst out, I've come homel"
waveNof emotion went through the crowded con-
gregation. More than one sob sounded upon the
stiffness hatfolowed A woman's voice cried ring
ingy. 20 pappyl" A tall young wimberly over near
the wall uttered a deep bass "Amen."
For a short time it seemed Voumnia's fears might
be unfounded Brother billiards. stratagem wholly
successful The new convert rapt IN the ecstasy
OF his novel spiritual experiences In nervous terse
coloqual sentences he poured out to heaven the
bliss that was his. There was passion OF original
ity in the'little mamie would pray like
body else. His fiery words calculated to arouse
and fix the attention Of even those who made prac
tice Of doing mpartially through prayer and ser
mon.
Yet the outburst Of enthusiasm from the new con-
vert grows old story to the longtime church
member and It not tnl Abper down to
personalities that Little Shiloh was fully awake
With sharp drop in his tone he began;
'I been awandern' long time; the gates Of the
fold has been barred agn me--but I've come home
An now, o Lord beg and pray Thy merciful kind
ness on-them that barred the gates Forgive my
WIFE Volumny and them that put her up to what
she's been doin'"
The blow fell ike a mute shock that reyerberated
soundlessly through every listeners being. And the
hush within the church suddenly became profound
that small night noises outside were distinctly aud
ibe and the stamping Of the tethered animals sound
ed loud.
Thou knowest that when yearned most toward
Thee. hit seem like some folks was afraid would
forsake my wicledness an I'd Jest about set my
foot the dostep O. Thy house to have its door pop
ped in my face Forgive her, that when didn't
enough to make the nelghbors feel she was the
worst abused woman IN the two Turkey Tracks, she
up an turned her chickens into my gyarden. Thou
lnowst. Lord a couldn't stand -that-an' his
early beans Jest apoddin' outl"
voumnla dropped to her knees. and hid her face
against the back Of the seatlbefore her
'Fergive this woman-for she's good woman
that she wouldn't believe that Thou couldst save her
husband. but must put him to shame befo HIS chill
dren; acallin them to notice that he was headed
for the lake that burns with hell-hre apretendin'
all the time to be warnin' Of them not to take the
same road. fergivc her o Lord, as Thou hast fer
give me- I fergive Polk billiard ] fergive Volumny 8
second cousin Jaspar stribbing, from overt Big
Buck Gap. fergive all them that knowed my weak
ness, how prone was to sin in the way o wicked
cussin an worked upon It. an then roneo up
their eyes an showed of over me- fergive EN- all
He would have been comparatively harmless in
rage Now that he flowed forgiveness, gushed for
giveness. stormed forgiveness. his former persecu
tors lodged.
"An' forgive all my wlfes family an kin an con
nectons" the shaking voice went on "Ht takes
heap to go around-but I've got tive got It. fer
give 'em. fergve Beene shinhet that moved e
Texas-I reckon my forgiveness will do him as much
good out thar as 'twould ef hed stayed hyer' ANY
how fergive him. / fergve Perry Carter, that was
shot by the sheriff last fall said some hard things
then about his ben' better out O. the way. I'm
sorry l ferglve him. reckon he'll know about it
an Il does me good for to name it to you all fer
give each an every that has in times past done me
meanness. Ef I can't Jest think up their names t'
call out-I reckon Thou knowest, Lord-Thou know
est"
"Yes yes Brother wimberly Amen. The Lore
knows" chmed in the deep voice Of the elder to th
manifest relief OF several in the gathering
During these closing statements there had beeI
more than one sudden sound amid the audience
sort Of grunt such as is made by the puncturing o
an inflated object And Little Shiloh church opene
~. 80. ~. .nrnrn1 ,-nru red faces Only Uncle All