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About The daily Nebraskan. ([Lincoln, Neb.) 1901-current | View Entire Issue (Feb. 6, 1904)
ra3J5rj3 -i -r -e-o rr u Ebe Dulls flebraehan h -4 i Cat The Rev. Go-Lightly The Rev. Go-Lightly was a character puzzle. It was wonderful how so many varying traits were packed Into his bigoted little person. A small, pomp ous being he was, as he strutted about with short mincing steps and with a word of reproof and a smile of com mendation perched In curious com bination upon his lips, one or the other being always ready to spring forth ahd assert itself accordingly as the occasion demanded. His eyes were of a pasty gray color and in them lin gered a strange light that was prone to flash forth with all the ridiculous indignation that his puttering charac ter had at its command or to shine with Innocent horror and surprise at the mention of some unseemly word, expression or action, while the rest of his facial make-up was adjusted to correspond. There was nothing un usual about his nose or his mouth or his ears, or even his chin. They were all just ordinary. His face waB broad, and all of the parts of which it was the whole could be controlled in such a manner as to contribute as readily to the framing of an expression of righteous Indignation as one of sancti monious gratification. The top of his head was covered with a sparse growth of brown hair, which was parted in the middle and neatly combed. His stature, as has already been hinted, was not gigantic, but his shoulders were broad and his physique of a Bturdy character. Such was the typography of the be ing that the Rev. Go-Lightly brought to town when he first sprang into no tice as a minister of the gospel at Har rlsville. He had hired an empty store building and installed plank seats and a few other furnishings and from his pulpit he thundered forth promises and Inducements to the sin-burdened souls of the village. By a process which Invariably takes, but cannot be ex plained, when an itinerant preacher comes into a new field, he had gath ered about him a, small and faithful band of followers. Others came from curiosity, being attracted by the noise he made; for his voice generated by a pair of powerful and unharnessed lungs, often pierced through the night to- the utmost confines of the visage, as it perpetrated an outrage upon a gospel hymn or was drawn out in a fervent, blood-curdling "Amen." The women, as is usually the case, were the first to bo convinced by his logic and -persuasiveness. And It might be said that they wore prac tically the last; for most of the men stood sullenly aloof and said unpleas ant things. To the women ho had a sort of a charm of manner, not of cul ture or grace, but a smooth, persistent aggressiveness which they could not well resist without feeling that they were disregarding an obligation. "His ideas of religion were often connected closely with pecuniary considerations, even to such a degree as to become strangely confused. His customary way of exhorting them was along such lines as theso: "Be not covetous of this world's goods, ladles. Lay not up treasures hero on earth where moth doth cor rupt and thieves beeak through and stoal. Give of your abundance In the game measure as you would receive salvation. -Glvo freely of your posses sions to the church and a healing comfortlnggraco will ba yours." Ho never allowed himself to be em barrassed by the loathness with which he was Invited to dine, but with calm dignity and consequence ho would say tho grace, eat ravenously, and monop olize the conversation. Sometimes When it was evident that no invitation was forthcoming, he would draw him self up to the fullest extent of his diminutive limit and brazenly ex claim: "I am wearied with my assiduous labors, ladles, and my system oraves nourishment." Naturally his flock became disgust ed, as his Incursions, were frequent, and oven tho women began tp lose faith in him, as ho came around with relentless regularity to dine. If a hint was given ho was defiant, acknowledg ing tho insult, but always staying. Ho never lost Uls self-possession, but with nn Mtnnnsive contortion of his features In which raised eye-brows and widely. open eyes, filled with Loth accusation and saintly forgiveness were employed, he would exclaim: "Forbear, ladles, forbear. Such talk la unseemly In my presence. They who regard not their pastor with duo rcspoct will wall In outer darkness." The women, however, Inconven ienced as they felt, Invariably gave In and Rev. Go-Lightly enjoyed the fnllts of his hard-earned victory. Around town ho was shunned and dcsplspd. As he strutted along with his Bible under his arm and sanctity written on his features, the small boys would follow after him, throwing clods and yelling: "Hello. Rev. Oo-Llghtly. Won't you stay for dinner?" One young man In particular had an aversion to Rev. Go-Lightly. He was the son of the banker of the place and led a fast life. His dissolute habits were a subject of public gossip. He had no shame in exhibiting his de pravity openly and it was a common sight to see him reeling down the street, and unless some comrade con ducted him speedily to some less pub lie place he never failed to make a dis mal show of himself. Ho was quarrel some and disagreeable. Everybody prophesied that Joe Harkness would come to a bad end, and there was noth ing to indicate that such would not be the case. Rev. Go-Lightly often took him to task for his iniquities and pointed ou to him the destination to ward which he was tending a placo with a torrid climate and of exquisite tortures. Rev. Go-Lightly was Interviewing a lady member of his flock In the post office one day, wheu a conflict of un usual severity occurred. Ho was on a punitive expedition and perceiving her, at once opened his campaign. "Here is a pamphlet, madam," he explained, "which sets forth the needs and neceBsltltes of the church In the foreign fields of work, and I trust that you will be able to contribute some thing to this noble and worthy pur "pMe." 'I'll, do what I can," was the tart reply. "And," resumed Rev. Go-Lightly "no doubt you will strive to give some thing next Sunday to the collection for the benefit of the pastor?" The lady thought she would try. "And perhaps you will be able to give " "Well why don't you ask her to take you home," Interrupted a voice at his elbow. Rev. Go-Lightly turned with offended pomp, an,d found himself gazing Into the sneering countenance of Joo Hark ness. Puffing indignantly, he exclaimed: I I Game T, 4lf Hearts I Enigmatical J& f I Truth. Kp'M ' I III Dla :T t with Suppose s t, ... . 1 W. - .Fufy ' Waterman's "Ideal" ( - Valentino's 1 12 s?j I I (HUH lUlU 0 L Read stu dously and at slight JL I S3 It T?iEx.BP,eand (Ideal) ! $mj Rl Kr your vixnz ff ft lode jr dcoce frcm common r MAI hilt B Biand ' U UP f JU Ul H T holder?, Inkstands, Ink-biota, I J Soar en, and to en through the E Unrn n Com J.&um. HRlR rt Fding E IIUIU U Petratlng Investigation I ! a d no 'M 1 , T money, but write o$ TMOW. ? , Game of 1 R. TORTEgZHj; ;: i ; Pens e . . -e . J ' Mmmmmmtmamikmmmmmmtmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm "'ri, , "Speak not so, thou Godless man, In this lady's presence. He who In sults tho pastor of tho church Insults tho holy church herself." Harkness did not roply, but Btartcd to push roughly past Rev. Go-Lightly, who Blood between him and his mall box. But the Rev. Go-Lightly stood firm. With a mild aggressiveness ho resisted, standing there with his Bhoui dcrs urawn up and liis chest Inflated., with pompous decision written In the sot expression of his mouth. Ho made no attempt to shove the other man, but he merely braced his BhouldeiF and stood firm. Harkness was non plussed nnd his face flashed angrily "Get out of my way, you old hypo crite,' ho ciled. "or I'll knock you down and walk ever your carcass." "You ungodly man of wrath.' replied Rev. Go-Lightly, "how dare you pre sume to heap such maledictions upon a holy man. I will fight In the hofy cause and smite you even as David snote the heathen giant." He doubled up his fists. Inflated hi cheeks ard stood ready. Harkness started back In surprise. He had ex pected to run over and abuse this despicable preacher, but this was a different man. He hesitated. cobI o glai.ee at Rev. Go-Lightly, who stood solidly braced awaiting him. and then slunk away. In the minds of all who witnessed the affair, respect for the Re. Go-i-lghtly was greatly Increased Harkness did not forget the affair After service tho next Sunday evening Rev. Go Lightly was walking home, wrapped In deep meditation, when he felt a touch at his elbow. Looking up he recognized Joe Harkness. "Good evening, Mr. Go-Lightly!" f-ald tho latter pleasantly -'Fine even ing!" Rev. Go-Lightly may have been sur prised at tho friendliness of this greet ng but he did not show It, but simply e"used: "A most ile'ightful evening, such ap he shepherds enjoyed as they watched their flocka on the hills of Palestine." Harkness. not caring to converse along those lines, said rather abruptly: "Do you know. Rev. Go-Lightly, that I regret my action of the other day In the postofilce? And I want to offer n free and sincere apology?" Rev. Go-Lightly took the proffered hand and shaking It warmly, said: "I am glad to see you, my dear young man, bo willing to acknowledge your transgression. There Is noth ing more beautiful or noble In the character of a man than such a spirit of willingness to acknowledge error. I can freely forglvo what was spoken in haste." Harkness smiled. "If the hour is not too late," he said politely, " would like to have you accompany mo to the rooms of a friend of mine nnd enjoy a little social tltno." Rev. Go-Lightly coiiHenled. though rather reluctantly. Ills companion conducted him to a lorgo open doorway in tho bank building nnd ascending tho stairs they soon found themselves in a nicely furnished room. As they entered Rov. Go-Lightly perceived four young men seated around the stov Tho formality of an Introduction hov lng boon gono through with. Rov. Go Llghtly proceeded to make himself at homo. The company were In n happy mood, and at time's he was taken aback by their rough talk. Finally there wbb a lull In tho buzz of voices, and Harkness produced a bottle from the Inner recess of tho closet. About tho bottle ho grouped six tumblers In a circle. Handing one of them to the Rov. Go-Lightly he filled It as ho held It. although the reverend gentlemnn took It doubtfully. In spite or tho fact that his oyo for an Instant twinkled covetously, then filling tho five others, he cried r "Let us drink to tho health of Rev. Go-Lightly!" Tho others spring to their foot, nnd each grasping a glass the down-pour commenced. Rev. Go-Lightly alone refrained. Standing with his glass poised In his outstretched palm, he snld: "I wish It distinctly understood, gentlemen, that I drink only thnt I may not interfere with tho good cheor. for although I am not averBe to par taking of a llttlo stimulant upon oc casions. I never drink to excess. " His loathness to Interfere with the good cheer was carried out to the ex tent of four or five glasses. But al though the effects were plainly vlslblu upon the rest of the company. It was not bo with him. He sat at his ease, conversing reservedly, overlooking all the rough talk and taking an In terest In all that savored of polltcncas and decency. Harkness coolly produced a deck of cards and they drew up their chairs to tho table, all except Rev. Go-Llght-1. He sat regarding the proceeding doubtfully. .Upon being urged ho said: "Gentlemen, I am not opposed to card-playing, but I hove necr re ceived instruction In tho game; hence I cannot Join you, though much would I llko to." "O. come on." cilcd Harkness. "and learn!" The others joined In. and be ings vociferously exhorted. Rev. Go Llghtly drew his chair tip to tho tabic. The tried pokei first. After long and labored explanations. Rev. Go Llghtly scomefl to understand tho 1 m t.i m r - c 1 t i .JJ ? i it jjtm i i r- " ,ws ..'' vwMii rt . ' LAJPm i t rs Mi j-'m il -. &flit0Sit8