West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1909-02-04

son.
"Husks2 oh, the prodigol SOM
smiled Price
That's him." Slim sighed. with re
lief. This here feed not bein' up TO
grade. Prod he lows he'd pull his
freight back home, square himself
with the old man an start new
deal
Sugebrush was deeply interested in
the story. Its charm had attracted
him, as it had scholars and outcasts
alike since first told 1000 years ago on
the plains Of old Judea
Did he stand for IT." he interrupted.
'IIe 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. slapping
Sagebrush with his hat I'm his delight
at getting at the climax OF the story
before Slim reached IT,
The narrator cast a glance OF SUI
preme disgust at the laughing puncher.
No" he shouted; he hugged him.
Then he called In the neighbors. bar
becued n yearlln' calf an give barn
dance. with fireworks I'm the evenin'."
That's all right I'm books" observed
Sagebrush, but II I'd made n break
like that when was kid my old
man would "a fell on my neck for fair"
That was n good story, parson. It's
straight, amt it," asked Slim as a
wave OF doubt swept over him.
ITS gospel truth" answered the
minister. "DO you know the moral OF
the story?'
Sure" replied Slim With conf
dence born of deep self assurance, Slim
launched the answer, Don't be fat,
ted calf"
AT first his hearers did not grasp the
full force Of the misapplIcatlon OF the
parable. Mr.. Price could not refrain
from laughing The others Joined with
him when the humor of the reply
dawned upon them. Pointing scornful-
ly at the fat sheriff, they shouted glee-
fully. while Slim blushed through his
tan.
Now, If youll kindly show me
where began Mr. Price.
sure. All the liquors in the kltch-
en-" said Sagebrush expanding with
hospitality.
Slim pushed Sagebrush back into his
chair, and Parenthesls tapped the min
ister on the shoulder to distract his at
tention.
Thanks. / meant to ask for place
to change my clothes"
sure you mustn't mind Sagebrush
there" apologized Parenthesis. Hes
allus maxim breaks. Let me tote your
war bag Walk this way"
Good day. gentlemen" smiled Mr.
Price. "When you are up my way j
trust you will honor my church with
your presence adding after n pause
without waiting to lose an election
bet"
The entrance Of n greaser 10 refill
glasses diverted the attention OF the
guests until the most important func-
tion for them was performed. with
"HOws" and Here's 30 the bridew
they drank the toast slim, as major
domo Of the feast. felt It incumbent
upon himself TO keep the others I'm or
der. Turning angrily upon Sagebrush,
he said, "Why did you tell the sky
pilot where the liquor wnsT"
Il was just tryin' TO do the right
thing" answered SaGebrush defianuy
"Embarrassin' us all like that You
ought to know that parsons don't hit
up the gasollne-in public" scoldcd
Slim
Sagcbrush muttercd sulklly, 'T never
hcrded with parsons none"
Parcnthesis diplomaucally avoided
any further controversy by calling:
They're gettin' ready. Jim's got Jack
I'm the back room tryln' to cheer him
mp. Boys, is everything ready for the
getawayT
"sagebrush, did you get that r1ceT
demanded slim.
That's Sol forgot / couldn't get
no rice, though. Dawson didn't have
none"
without telling what he did get,
Sagcbrush ran from the room TO the
corral
~ told you not 90 let him have any
thing 10 DO with A." said Fresno
glarlng Mt his fellow workers Each
was silent, as the accusation was gen.
oral, and none had been taken into
the confidence OF Sagcbrush and Fres-
no when arrangements were being
made for the feast Fresno had 10
blame some one. however. BY this
time Sagcbrush had returned. carrying
n bag.
"What did you rctT" asked Slim.
Corn replied Sogcbrush laconicaI-
ly.
"Aint he the darndcstr' show
Low expressed the disgust which the
others showed.
why. darn &C." shouted Slim shak.
ing his fist no the unfortunate Sage
brush, you can't let the bride an
groom hop the home ranch without
chuckln' rice at 'em. It's bad mcdi-
cine"
"Ain't he dispusun'" interrupted
Fresno
what does rice mean. anyhow"
asked the bewildcrcd Sagcbrush
1T means somethin' about wishin'
'em good luck, health, wealth an pros
perlty an all that sort Of thing. It's
sign an symbol Of Joy" ratified on
Slim.
"Well, now. amt there more Joy IN
corn than IN riceT' triumphantly asked
Sagcbrush
slim jcrked open the top Of the bag
while Sagebrush stood by heiplessly
"Well the darned idiotg he muttered
~ ,,a.rs.t fDt. - ......