The French Broad hustler. [volume] (Hendersonville, N.C.) 1896-1912, 1910-12-15


"GET DOWN ON YOUR KNEES Oh TIL SKIN
YOU ALIvEl
preacher arose to make one last SUI
preme effort to reclaim some soul from
eternal torment AT his direction the
most jealous members Of the congrega-
ton left their seats and mingled with
the audience. looking for chance con-
vert
It was at this critical moment that
an unlocked for interruption disturbed
the passing OF the old year and marred
the peacefulness OF the meeting. Dea-
cons Wiley and Mills had been so bold
as to approach the goddess crowd
around the door and suggest that there
was too much laughing and talking.
They had even dared to tell two or
three Of the leading spirits that fail
ure to preserve order meant ejectment
from the church. The sound Of loud
talking suddenly reached the ears OF
the worshipers, and all heads turned
toward the door Loud curses and
angry words, uplifted fists and stamp
ing feet told that fierce struggle was
taking place. Out OF the tangled mass
presently came DeaconS Wiley and
Mills, each in triumphant possession Of
a painting, disheveled. fighting prison
er. The culprits were the sons Of
their captors. and against all their
kicking and squirming they were
| forced slowly along the aisles on each
| side of the church to the mourners'
bench, lighting every inch Of the way.
Get down on your knees. darn your
picture!" commanded Deacon Wiley,
Selling his son by the shoulders and
allowing his indignation to gain the
mastery. "Get down on your knees OF
| I'll skin you alive when | get you
homer
keep your seats, brethren and sis
tiers" exclaimed Rev. Ebenezer Har
ker. This young man is sorry fol
what he has done, and we may yet
save him from the wrath to come"
! There was a suppressed litter from
those who took the preacher literally
Sam Wiley. the widest scamp thai
ever robbed a watermelon patch, look
ed at his fathers stern. unyieldinS
face and felt the grip tighten on hi
| SnOuIu0ES. hG CAST q SA0h('
toward the women's amen" corner ant
saw his mothers eyes filed with tears
He turned to his right and saw hi
companion in misery, 'Oiddy" Mills
crying like a baby Just for momen
he stiffened with pride. and then he fel
his fathers strong arms forcing hin
down on his knees. At the same tim
"Diddy" Mills went down under tn
l~pressure on his shoulders.
who will be the next to come fol
ward ?' shouted Rev Ebenezer Harkel
dancing back and forth before the pul
pit with a joy he could not conceal
''The Lord bless these young men VIII
have seen the error of their ways. LIE
Us all unite in prayer"
Everybody prayed. Deacon Vile
leading the low, murmuring choru
with fervent entreaty to his son t
forego the wickednesS Of the world an
: unite with the church. WheR Deaco
Wiley ceased Deacon Mills began t
pray aloud for his hayward boy.
was very funny to the crowd aroun
the door, but after awhile somethin
seemed to choke their laughter. Siste
l Mills high pitched and Quavering voic
: arose in prayer, and there was Patio
in her appeal that started tears int
9 the eyes Of the toughest rowdy in til
: crowd. Sister Wiley, unable to restrai
q her emotions, joined her cries wit
t those Of Sister Mills. Suddenly wav
e Of increased excitement swept throug
the congregation. Two Of the tougl
|, est young men Of the town Wake
= slowly down the aisles and knelt at tt
low railing. They were hardly dow
when two more came forward.
Such a revival was never known b.
Q fore In the history of the church as tt
9 one which started with the watch NEE
: ing that night Rev. Ebenezer Hark'
e said to himself that it was due to b
o powers as an exhorter. Two mother
a believed In their hearts that the effic
a cy Of prayer had been demonstrated
ia wonderful manner. But suppo:
those muscular fathers had RENAME
j inactive. Would the protracted NEE
ings have lasted another week.