Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1909-05-11

lite. The editor had grasped the mos
striking feature of the puncher's phys
ical characteristics for label.
Parenthesis beamed on the minister
II was born on horseback" he replied
"That fellow there with front tootl
is Show Low" began Slim, speakin,
like lecturer In freak show. "Th
one without front tooth Is Fresno,
California product. This here cha
with the water dob hair Is Sagebrusl
Charley. 1t makes him sore when yo1
call him plain Charles"
Charley bein' Chink name," sup
plemented Its owner.
Silence fell over the group, for the!
did not know what was the prope
thing to do next. A minister was Il
be respected and not to be made on'
Of them. He must take the lead u
the conversation. Mr.. Price was a
loss to begin. He had not recovered
fully from the roughness Of bis vel
come, so Slim took the lead again.
~ heard you preach once up to Flor
snce," he announced, to the profount
astonishment Of his hearers.
Indeed" politely responded Mr.
Price, feeling the futility OF maxim;
any further observation. He feared Il
fall into some trap. The answers made
by the boys did not seem to ft par
ticularly we'll with what he expected
and was accustomed to. The parsoI
could not make out whether the boys
were Joking with him or whether theil
replies were unconscious humor OF
their part.
"Yep; 1 lost an election bet an hat
to 20 to church." answered Slim In al
seriousness.
The cowboys laughed, and Mr.. Price
amely replied, "Oh, yes, l see."
ut 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 thu
more. Excuse me-" he apOlogized. 81
mean that enjoyed it."
do you recall the subject OF my
discourse, inquired Mr.. Price, coming
to his assistance.
"Your what course?" asked Slim.
"My sermon?" answered the parson
"Well, should say yes" replied the
sheriff, greatly relieved to think that
he was once more out Of deep water
at was about some Shorthorn that
jumped the home corral to maverics
around loose in the alfalfa WIN d
bunch of wild ones"
The explanation was too much foi
Mr.. Price. Great student OF the Bible
that he had been, here was one lesson
which he had not studied. AS told by
Slim. he could not recall any text OF
series of texts from which he might
have drawn similes fitted for his cow
boy congregation, when he had one
"Really, u he began.
Slim, however, was not to be inter
rupted. If he stopped he never could
begin again, he felt. Waving to the
preacher to be silent, he continued bis
description. when his wad was gone
the bunch threw him down, an he had
to hike for the sagebrush an feed with
the hogs on husks an sech like winter
fodder"
The minister caught the word
"husks." Slim was repeating his OWE
version of the parable Of the prodigal
son.
"Husks? Oh, the prodigal SON!
smiled Price.
That's him." Slim sighed, with re
lief. "This here feed not bein' up tc
grade, Prod he lows he'd pull his
freight back home, square himself
with the old man an start a new
deal"-
Sagebrush was deeply interested III
the story. Its charm had attracted
him, as 1t had scholars and outcasts
alike since first told 1000 years ago on
the plains Of old Judea.
did he stand for it," lie interrupted
"He sure did," eloquently replied
Slim, who was surprised and delighted
with the great impression he was max
ing with his experience at church. "Oh
he was game old buck, he was. Why
the minute he sighted that there pro
digious son a-limpin' across the mesa
he run right out an fell on his neck
"An' broke It," cried Fresno, slappint
Sagebrush with his hat in his deligh
at getting at the climax Of the stor!
before Slim reached 1t.
The narrator cast glance OF su
preme disgust at the laughing puncher
NO" he shouted; "he hugged him
Then he called in the neighbors, bar
becued a yearlin' calf an give bari
dance, with fireworks in the evenin'."
"That's all right in books" observed
Sagebrush, "but If I'd made a breal
like that when / was a kid my oil
man would "a fell on my neck for fair.
"That was a good story, parson. IT.
straight, amt it?" asked Slim as
wave Of doubt swept over him.
"It's gospel truth" answered th'
minister. do you know the moral o
the story?"
Sure" replied Slim. With a conf
dence born of deep self assurance, Slin
launched the answer. Don't be fat
ted calf"
At first his hearers did not grasp tn
full force Of the misapplication Of tn
parable. Mr.. Price could not refrain
from laughing. The others Joined witt
him when the humor Of the repl!
dawned upon them. Pointing scornful
| ly at the fat sheriff, they shouted glee
fully, while Slim blushed through III
tan.
"Now, If you'll kindly show M
where began Mr.. Price.
"Sure. All the liquors In the kitch
en-" said sagebrush, expanding witt
hospitality.
Slim pushed Sagebrush back into hi
chair, and Parenthesis tapped the min
lister on the shoulder to distract his at
tention.
Thanks. ! meant to ask for plac
to change my clothes"
"Sure you mustn't mind Sagebrusl
there" apologized Parenthesis. He
allus maxim breaks. Let me tote you
war bag. Walk this way"
Good day, gentlemen" smiled MI
Price. when you are up my way
trust you will honor my church wit
your presence"-adding after a pause
"without waiting to lose an election
hot "