Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1909-03-10

thesis was beat ''''
ing a bucket with a gourd and emitting
strange cries with each thump. The
noise and shouts confused the minis
ter. AS he was laundering among the
dancers they fell upon him with war
whoops, slapping him on the back and
crushing his straw hat over his ears.
Slim was the first to recognize the
minister He dashed into the group
and, swinging several aside, cried to
the others to desist.
pardon me, but do intrude upon
scalp dancer" smilingly asked the par
son.
you sure have, Mr.. Price," laughed
Slim. "We hain't got to the scalpin'
part yet, but we're fixin' to dance off
Payson's scalp tonight
Peering at him with nearsighted
eyes, Mr.. Price extended his hand, say
ing, "Ah, Mr.. Hoover. our sheriff, is
it notY
Slim Wrung the parsons hand until
the preacher WINGED Hiding his dis
comfort, he slowly Strengthened out
his fingers with a painful grin. Slim
had not noticed that he had hurt the
parson by the heartiness of his greet
ing. With a gesture he lined up the
cowboys for introduction.
Eyes, SIR the boys call me Slim be.
cause 1 amt" Pointing to the first
one in the group, he exclaimed, '"This
is Parenthesis."
Mr.. Price looked at the awkwardly
bowling cowboy in amazement. The
name was a puzzle to him. He could
not grasp the application. "The editor
of the Kicker" explained Slim, "called
him that because of his legs bein built
that way" Mr.. Price was forced to
smile in spite of his efforts to be DO
lite. The editor had grasped the most
striking feature Of the puncher'S phys
ical characteristics for a label.
Parenthesis beamed on the minister.
81 was born on horseback" he replied.
''That fellow there with front tooth
is Show Low" began Slim, speaking
like lecturer in a freak show. ''The
one without a front tooth is Fresno, a
California product. This here chap
with the water dob hair is Sagebrush
Charley. 1t makes him sore when you
call him plain Charles"
Charley bein' a Chink name" sup
plemented it's owner
Silence fell over the group, for they
did not know what was the proper
thing to do next A minister was to
be respected and not to be made one
Of them. He must take the lead in
the conversation. Mr.. Price was at
loss to begin. He had not recovered
fully from the roughness of his well
come, so Slim took the lead again.
II heard you preach once up to Flor
ence," he announced, to the profound
astonishment Of his hearers.
Indeed" politely responded Mr.
Price, feeling the futility Of making
any further observation. He feared tc
fall into some trap. The answers made
by the boys did not seem to fit par
ticularly well with what he expected
and was accustomed to. The parsor
could not make out whether the boys
were joking with him or whether thei
replies were unconscious humor OF
their part.
''Yep; lost an election bet an hat
to go to church." answered Slim ia al
seriousness.
The cowboys laughed, and Mr.. Price
lamely replied, "Oh, yes, see."
.'It was a good show" continued
Slim, doing his best to appear at ease
The frantic corrections of his compan
ions only made him founder about tn
more. Excuse me-" he apologized. :"
mean that enjoyed it."
do you recall the subject OF my
discourse" inquired Mr.. Price, coming
to his assistance.
sYour what course" asked Slim
"My sermonY'' answered the parson