The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1909-01-14

was extra powerful | saw him drop
two.
Well, yesterday Hornbeck looked
me up an asked me to come up an
take dinner with him. Newly would
be there, he said.
All right said l, I'll come to
oblige you; besides, it would be a
shame if you had to throw away any
of that chickeni'
We'll, sir, what l saw an heard
there nearly took away my appetite
for chicken. We hadn't got more'n
fairly started before Newly COM
menced to worry Hornbeck by insinu-
attn that his mansion in the skies had
a mortgage on it, an that it would be
just as well to lift it before he moved
in. | set right across from Newly.
an l managed to git in one good kick
on his shins, but he kept them out of
the way after that. an l had to set
there an eat chicken. powerless to
help myself. Well, finally Hornbeck
broke down an commenced sobbin'
ike child, while / felt like wriugin'
that miserable Newby's neck. | made
up my mind that | would do it too.
Just as soon as the chicken was all
gone!
oh, brother, brother sobbad Horn
beck, if | hadn't found it. If | hadn't
found it! If l could only git down to
the Downey country an spend the rest
OF my life workin' among them poor
lost souls down there, l might be al
most happy an forget the dark. dark
page of my life! Oh. if hadn't found
it! If hadn't found it,
Well, now that you have found
it, said l, in disgust, you had better
hang on to it.
Why don't you go down to the
Downey country an carry the light to
the poor lost souls?' asked Newly.
watchin' Hornbeck as a dog does a
rat
Il can't, he groaned. This ranch
hangs like a milestone around NV
neck! If was only free | would glad
ly go
Brother, said Newly. as if struck
by sudden thought. why not sell the
ranch? I would buy it myself if |
thought it would further the blessed
cause of religion
"Brother,' sobbed Hornbeck. seizin'
hold of Newby's hand an wringin' it,
if you would it would make me the
happiest man on the face Of the earthl
| feel 1t in my heart that it should
belong to you of all personsn
About the price. brother?' asked
Newly, with a purr Of satisfaction.
Well said Hornbeck. with deep
sigh, I gave you $4,000 for it. YOU
know, an have made some improve
ments. Say $500, an I will be free
to move to the Downey country an
save souls
See here, Hornbeck,' began.
when Newly cut me short.
You're man of SIM said he,
piously.
"In give you $4,000, Hornbeck" I
shouted.
Seth, said he, earnestly. I would
prefer to have this ranch pass into the
hands of cody man. If you would
JIlle Ihe chufCA, an -
TIL give you
Draw up the papers, brother said
he, turnin' sadly to Newly, the tempt
er is abroad an | may fall
We'll, sir, I'm derned if that miser
able Newly didn't have a deed all
ready drawn with the exception of the
price, | grabbed my hat an was leav-
IN in disgust when Hornbeck asked
me to remain an take his acknowledg-
ment. I'm justice of the peace, you
know. l refused at first, but he said
he would give me dollar if | would.
an as | knew that it would be nv only
chance to git any of the derned fools
money | consented.
For the last time, Hornbeck.' said
|, as took up the pen, I'll give you
You're man of SIM groaned
Newly.
Turn from thy evil ways an see
the blessed light groaned Hornbeck.
in turn.
That settled it! | took the dern
Anticipated idiots Acknowledgement
an fed
Well, this mornin' | went UP to bid
him good-by an collect the dollar that
he owed me. l wasn't any too soon,
for Hornbeck, with all his household
goods loaded on lumber wagon. was
just turnin on the main road on his
way for Downey.
Seth said he, as we shook hands.
jine the church! There's more in it
than you have any idea of. Giddapn
No, thankee, said l; I've seen too
many horrible examples to do like
wise!"
Just then Newly come runnin' up.
all out of breath.
Brother Hornbeck! Brother
Hornbeck!' he cried in his thin, suuaky
voice.
Whoa' said Hornbeck, pullin' in
his horses; and then seem who it was.
he said:
Good by, brother, put thy faith in
the Lord an be happy! Giddapn
But, Brother Hornbeck! Brother
Hornbeck!' cried Newly, runnin'
alongside of the wagon, what was it
that is-you know-what was it you
found?