The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1907-03-22

oJ 10 Pio''J 'i> " 0o'
hurt
The young parson shook his head. "I
hope | am a good citizen as well as cler
gyman," he said.
The stout man grumbled beneath his
breath, but he kept step with the pastor.
''Where are you going?' the latter
presently said
"With you" was the curt answer.
The village seemed quiet as they crossed
to the low building used as a Jail. The
jailor was alone there, an elderly man.
''The sheriff can get back inside of an
hour" he told the pastor, ''and l guess
there won't nothin' dreadful happen in
that time
So the pastor and the stout man stood
on the jail steps and waited in silence.
And then suddenly across the park they
saw confused rabble approaching. There
might have been hundred persons in this
mob, but many of them were boys. As
they neared the jail they uttered wild cries.
''Lynch himr' they shrieked.
"Give us the keys, Jim Ferguson, "
cried voice, cor we burn the Jail over
your head!'
"Batter in the door, boys yelled
fellow.
Then the pastor stepped out from the
shadow, and the stout man was close at
his side
''Men,' cried the pastor, listen to
me p
''It's the parson,' shouted voice.
'Give the parson chance. -
And the young pastor, his voice full of
feeling, besought them to reflect. His
tones rang out clear and strong, his words
we're impressive. But voice interrupted
him.
"That' enough, parson. You've done
your duty and now we II do ours. Get to
work, lads
There was roar from the crowd, but
the young pastor was undaunted. As his
voice arose again the ruffan in the van
tried to howl him down.
"Quit your yawp!' he shouted.
you've had your say. Come on, ladsF'
The stout man had been leaning for
ward, his eyes on the mob. Now he sud-
denly leaped from the steps and struck the
noisy fellow swift blow across the mouth
with his open hand.
"Take that, you loafer, he roared,
and snatched from the fellows hand
stout cudgel, and iercely menaced the
mob. 'sYou scumT' he cried ''You' We
heard the parson-now listen to me!
There are two men here, standing shoulder
to shoulder for order and decency.
They not going to let you get into this
jail without fght-and somebody will
get hurt. I'm good for any half dozen of
you myself. Now get to your homes be-
fore it too late. -
He leaped back to the pastor side, the
cudgel in his hand, his eyes blazing.
For a moment the mob was still. Then
a hoarse voice shouted ''Kill him. and
a stone thrown from the outskirts of the
crowd grazed the stout mans forehead.
Another missile flew by him and struck
the Jail door. There was forward move
ment of the mob.
But the stout man leaped forward again
and caught hold of the ringleader whom he
had silenced. The fellow was wiping his
bleeding mouth in dazed fashion. The
stout man caught him around the waist
and quickly flung him on to the upper step.
Then he followed him and helped him up
so that he formed sort of shield for the
pastor and himself.
CHOW fling your stones,' he roared.
"Here's your own target for you. Bring
on your battering ram. But Iii promise
YOU it will 90 hard with this big loafer if
you try any of your cowardly games.
ssSmash him, SAM screamed shrill
voice in the midst of the mob.
eyes, Sam, smash him!" said the stout
man. He was behind the ringleader, hold
ing him, by the wrist 'sSam couldn' be
more helpless if he was baby, could you,
Sam ?''
There was confusion in the mob. Here
was an unexpected opposition.
The stout man noted their hesitation.
"Tell them to 90 home," he hoarsely
whispered in the ringleader's ear, and the
request was followed by significant twist
of the prisoned wrist.
eco home, boys. go home, " roared the
helpless leader.
"Once more" demanded the stout
eco home, boys, 60 home.
The mob wavered-and just then a
horses hoofs were heard in the distance.
1.-The sheriff. murmured the pastor.
s'The sheriff 7" repeated half dozen
voices.
The rider came nearer. The mob sud
denly turned and fed.
Less than a week later the sick boy
quietly fell asleep and the little town had
seldom seen larger funeral. All the pas
tor flock was there, and the flowers were
many and beautiful. The lad was laid
away on the sunny hillside of the old GEM
etery.
stYou' We been very kind to me, and to
the boy, parson," said the stout man as
he stood on the station platform and waited
for the train that was to bear him away.
''I'm afraid I may have said something
that Jared on your feelings, and I'm sorry
for it. -
The pastor smiled and said: ''I We
learned to judge you by your deeds, not
your words'
The stout man flushed.
esThe show will be at Colebrook the
early part of the coming season." he said
and looked at the pastor.
"Let me know when it will be there, >
the latter stoutly said, "and | will come
over to see it.
The stout man wrung the pastor hand.
"Good- bye, he cried.
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