The herald and news. [volume] (Newberry S.C.) 1903-1937, 1908-06-16
q - 9 Q O%O%0
: The Devils Own. .
D BY MRS. ETHEL THOMAS q

BY MRS. ETHEL THOMAS.

r"Seu III his breast. Surely they did
not think him drunk. Why were they
all so cruelty intent on reminding
him that his wickcdness had barred
fllm forever from society and reli-
glon? Yes, he knew he .~as Il drunk
ard and gambler and that every
mean thing that was done III the
ncighborhood was saddlcd on him.
though seldom proved. Then came
the remembrance that Sam Short s
barn was burned the night before
and that he was suspected. The ru
NOR hadn't troubled him though, for
he could easily prove an alibi.
Now he caught whispers which
confirmed his suspicious. The aged
man OF God rose and opened his BIZ
ble, asking for Il praycrful and ul-
dlNlded attention Of the conercga-
ton. Over in the "amcn corner" Il
couple Of men were whispering-onc
OF them picked up his hat and start
cd toward the door.
"llold!" came Johns command
ing voice as he sprang TO his feet and
confronted the man.
"llold! Dan Crockett, Won need
not trouble to notify the sheriff Of
my presence. Something in those
flashing eyes, as much as the words.
impressed Dan Crockett that "dis-
crctlon was the better part of valor."
and he paused. The preacher stood
a@hast-thc congregation waited in
brcathlcss silence.
"Good people, with 4 snccr, "I
d'd not intend TO disturb the ser
wees. Several nj "htS this week T.
have stood outside listening TO the
sermons, prayers. shouting. and sing
ing. The song Il few moments AGO.
touched me as nothing else has in Il
long time and almost unconsciously
was drawn inside. Feelings that |
thought long since dead stru~clcd to
life in my breast, and ! felt that
some one would give me Il smile or
KIND word. Strange that | expected
1t. rive years since was in a church
-iod. what Il reception 7 am GET
tmg!' His eyes flashed with resent
ment, and his tall form quivcrcd
with Indignation. With head thrown
pack dciiantly. he continued to hurl
his thundcrbOlts. "Outsidc it was cold
enough, but there Mas IL warm spot
III my breast. Inside. every good I'M
pulse had been frozen from nv heart
and | felt like a licnG incarnatc. You
have several Young converts here:
some of them will have tough time
lighting the world. the flesh and the
devil: when they fall. Christians wiz
give them Il kick toward hell free Of
charge. and enjoy ii! As for mvselY
1t has long ago been decided that r
am the DEVILS own. II may be thai
hell is rs hot as the preacher
breaches it-but il can hardly be
worse than this-if -. 7 shall some
day have the pleasure Of giving many
or you warmer reception than has
been accorded me tonight. Go on
with your hypocritical service,
Preach hell-frc and damnaion. and
OF Jesus who died to save! Sing
'Rcscuc the Pcrishing' and practice
sending them to pcrdition! Keep back
the kind words that would be a
priceless blessing to some poor heart
broken wretch, hungcring for SYM
pathy! Ignore the golden rule when
II docsn I suit you to apply Il. Slight
your nci@hhors-shun them as voS
would pcstilcncc ana then pray
'lhy will be donc' Damn such rcli
gioD -
Horror-strickcn, spcll-bound fasci-
mated, in brcathlcss silence, the pco-
pie watched the tall form as John
strobe from the church, and ,oon his
lron-shod horse was heard gallopine
down the finty ROAD toward the
town Of C.--With troubled hearts
and awakened conscicnccs, they gazcd
IN each others faces in silent cues
tioning. Could it be truc-all that he
had said? Were they in a measure to
blame for this diseraccful character?
Had he not always received Justice
at thcri hands 9-and mcrcy7 And
how was it, and why-if God was
liable to save to the uttcrmosf' that
no one intcrccdcd at throne of
mercy FOR this hardened man9 There
must be tender spot in his heart
somcwhcrc-why had he been given
up rs a hopeless cascq Tn Christian