Evening Star Newspaper, June 3, 1925, Page 22

G Wild Bill McCorkle BY SAMUEL A. DERIEUX. Gopyright, 1 morning rkness wn, the \ certain Nionday the d tha the d Rev. Kins r stealthily 5o as not to rouse tiptoed about for his clothes cau- tiously so as not to wake his children; ate a secret snack in the kitchen, en- deavoring, like a thief or a husband, to obliterate all traces of having done and, long before the town was set out in a buggy, shotgun between his knees, for the fastnesses of the mountains that rose like dark clouds beyond the town. It was a_mysterious D s not the kind of thing well-regu- lated preachers are expected to do. Yet as the day dawned you might have seen in the buggy a rather pale and gentle-looking man, the kind of man who, you would think, would love wife and children, and who had hecome a caveworn in the effort formance. . by Crowell Publishing Co Onz of a series of the vear’s best short stories. he who decided when their term o usefulness was passed. Deacon Withers had a goodly share of the town's wealth and a long fin ger in most of the town's busines: activities. His wholesale and retail supply store occupied a brick build ing three stories high, and, in the front, on the second floor, was the office’ where he lent money and han dled his other outside affairs. Like most money lenders of his type, he specialized in mortgages, and many of the poorer village folks and the out. lying mountaineers complained bitter- ly at the barshness of his terms, Even' ~.v, Deacon Withers came to dom ® the church—he had long .nated the village and its de. There were those who had objected to his iron-handed rule, and who had quietly effaced them: selves from the congregation. Others had stayed because there was no other church of the denomnation to segceful measures whenever Bossible. “Brother Withers is hard, hink he means to be just,” he told 18 wife one day. “Anyway, I can do more right now working , with him tham against him. He supports the hureh liberally, and I can't belleve hat he would do anything intention- ully to m detriment.” The firs n break had conie when G111 McCoride had been admitted into the church. The deacon had expostu- lated vehemently “Wine bibber!” he exploded. “Sot! Really, Brother Hopki: * and he shruzzed his shoulders in eloquent disdain. “But he has reformed,” pastor quietly. heart to God." “Reformed fiddlesticks the deacon. “I've known the Mc Corkles for three generations—and they but 1 sald the “He has given his " exclaimed STAR, of time, although he admitted that he has often been ‘“sore tempted.” Perhaps the weekly hunting visits of the pastor had helped Bill stick it out. But whether this surmise was true or not, it was quite clear that these visits were viewed with extreme distavor by Deacon Withers. Admittedly Bill McCorkle was not the kind of man a preacher usually selects as an associate. Bill had a lively pust. Once he had been known as Moonshine Bill, and at that period he ‘not only made liquor in. large quantities but consumed it in the same measure. Everybody had known Wild Bill McCorkle, the old people especially. He was a roaring, roystering rough- neck. Who had not heard of that Saturday afterncon when he came to town and got on a great drunk, rode his horse up- the- courthouse steps on one Side and down on ‘the other, celebrating his arrival at the top by waving his old felt hat and shouting, “Hurreh for Jeff Davis!" And who was there who did not know about the time he stood up in his wagon in the middle of Court- house Square and made a_memorable, albeit riotous, speech on the Consti tution of the United States, which, ac- cording to the interpretation he an- nounced that day, gave to him and to every man the right to do what he WASHINGTON, D. him to cease his orgtory and go home where he belonged. “All right, Parson,” Bill had cried, with a grand flourish of his black snake whip. “If you say geo, I'll go. Shake! You're what I call a man. T like you, an’ when I like a man I like him.” Come out an’ hunt with me. The latchstring’s on the outside. Goodbye, boys. Speakin'sover. No mo' oratory. Hurrah for the Constitution of the United States!"” Standing erect in his wagon, his red beard flowing out behind him, he had driven like a rattling charioteer down_the main street of the town, and out toward the vaster freedom of the mountains at whose base the town was nestled. Soon after that the boy with the gap in his teeth had béen taken down with fever and Hopkins had gone out with the doctor. It had. been a terrible night in that mountaln home, with the boy almost gone, and Mrs. McCorkle weeping, nnfi 0ld Bill walking the floor saying. “God A'mighty have mercy. God A'mighty have mercy on the little kid! Predcher, can't you do nothin'? Won't God A'mighty listen to you?” But it was said the preacher had prayed for more than the boy that night—he had prayed also for Moon- shine Bill. Anyway. Bill had joined the church. “He's a disgrace to the church! deacon said over and over. llu ., WEDNESDAY, JUNE 3, 1995. He's a violent man but not a viclous one.” And once he added, with a twinkle in his eye. “He's the best shot 1 ever saw.” This made Withers rage and grind his teeth. But Bill McCorkle's name remained on the records of the First Church even though Deacon Withers belleved that it was absent from other and more celestial records. Than something happened which widenied the guif between preacher and deacon—widened it visibly. Deacon, Withers, an _enternricing man, one Sunday morning made: the church a present of 300 fans. Now, fans are a pleasant relief on hot Sun day mornings. and a gift of 300 of them neatly and ostentatiously stuck in the hymn-hook racke ought to be grateful ans were nothing more nor - less than flamboyant advertse- ments of the Withers store, its name being printed across them in bold red latters, with an additional advertise- ment of a notorious patent medicine of which the Withers company was dis- tributor. - Mr. Hopkins, before the service, ordered the sexton to remove them and to return them to Mr. Withers. “I_don't suppose about it, Brother preacher explaine ut, you see, we allow you t advertise in the church, we will have to allow others to you've thought Withers,” the do the same. i | that time on he began his campaign to_run Mr. Hopkins out of town. He set about it shrewdly. Theke are always malcontents. These the deacon worked on. There are in- variably to be found a certain num ber of people who like excitement and gossip. These also he worked on. Then theére are the puritanical ones, who believe that a preacher ought to be “spiritually minded”—they them selves interpret the phrase—and to whom hunting and other worldly amusemenas are mnot “spiritual.” These he worked on. “It grieves me more than I can describe,” he declared over and over. “I hope vou will not bring my name in. But I think you will find a very strong sentiment in the church in favor of a change.” (Continued in Tomoérrow's Star.) Paris is to be the meeting next year of the the International Alliance. place Tenth Congress of Woman Suffrage ues; psules Resiné)l rea for burnsyor 3 cuts. It quickly stops the painful throbbmg and hastens healing 1 know it just hadn't occurred to you. I thank you all the The deacon looked with hard, inimical eyes. none of them ever kept sober for 30 |pleased and say what he pleased. days at a stretch.” And who couldn’t recall how the Strangely enough, Bill McCorkle |Rev. Mr. Hopkins, newly installed in had kept sober for 30 days, and in-|his duties as pastor of the First | to defend him. deed for much more than that length stumbling block-and a reproach to The cause of the Lord.” PBut always there was the preacher “He's an erring man,"” “So are we all. attend. The flock, however, had been on the point of 'real disintegration when the Rev. Charles Edward Hop- | kins hdd some to the First Church—a man who was not a pulpit orator, but whose deeds of kindness and all-night viglls at the bedsides of the sick, whose quick charity from his small salary, had won the hearts of the poorer and humbler parishioners and had brought many of the other ab- sentees back into the fold. Between the minister and Deacon Withers there “had been, from the first, a clash of wills. But the Rev. Mr. Hopkins was a_follower of the i Prince of Peace, and he believed in to provide for them out of a small to give his children educa- , keep up a decent appearance Spots mvh...n Injury to Fabric or Color 206306804, Sz Betto o a2 g Sams Resmol 7277, at the preacher Ahd from Church, had gone up to him, and told | Hopkins would say. The Julius Lansburgh Furniture Co., 909 F St. ® 9 June Bride’s Furniture Opportunities just rising in the ' when the preacher a house substantially huilt of lo Before he had time to alight there emerged from the house nt whose beard was like copper k \«'m\fl nose was llke an eagle’s ind whose eyes, barring a bold and fierce as a 7 0 /// iz "14/ y 7770 V2227727777730 7 7 N hearty voice of a giant started the uhr-x\ in the wooded hills: in, preacher. Glad me in and warm. Fine in’ to have. . Git * he commanded one dng Joe! another. e you, sir, powerful glad.” mighty paw closed fra- the preacher’s slender E preacher looked keenly, whimsi into the big man’s eves. | *How gs, Bill?" ‘Couldn’t be better, sir. Been be- havin' myself. Ask the ol' woman. Puts a p strain on me, but the ropes hold. Go on.in to the fire. Must be froze. Molly’s got breakfast ready. Fine mornin’ for 'em. Fine!” A red-headed boy with a tooth con- spicuously missing when he grinned te the preacher's horse; and into the house where a fire roared up the chimney went the man of might and the man of God. These men were hunting companions of long standing. They ate, as they always did on Monday nings during hunting sea- son, an enormous breakfast in the kitchen. They fed the dogs on the back porch. They rammed their pockets with shells and lunch and set out. On these weekly jaunts they alwa; went to the river valleys if it was birds or ducks, to the big woods if it was turkeys. Sometimes they called by Jeff Bennet's house and Jeff joined them, sometimes at Cal French’s and Cal went along. Sometimes they came back with pockets heavy with quail, sometimes with a wild turkey or two, sometimes with a string of ducks. Molly would have supper ready; there would be a_pipe afterward by the fire. Then the Rev. Charles Edward Hop- kins would start back to town. And ®o_would end a perfect day. It was signi“,ant that nearly every Monday morn.ug about 9 o'cle par- ticularly of late, old Deacon Withers, on his way to business, stopped, as ¢ accident, and rang the bell at parsonage where the Rev. Mr. Hopkins lived. On this particular v Mrs. Hopkins herself an- and her face grew pale when to_see down, “Git “Glad to TOUR F! LleDA Temperature June ist | ‘\TLA\TIC CITY ... NEW YORK ..... WASHINGTO: HOLLYWOOD Pleasure and Investment Opportunity, Both, in this 16-Day Water and Land Round Trip Tour of TOUR’ INCLUDES 389 EXPENSE Tour Starts June 5th EVERY Bhl“l‘nn)" — ma i0o0od morning, Mrs. Hopkins,” the deacon said, and smiled. *Is Brother ing in? 1 want to see him just Indian r Rockledze, not. in, ippose he'll be in later out hunting today He's very fond of hunt- sn' 1 ask where he's | I may be able to find him.” ' t McCorkle's” the wom- | swered desperatel | @ S g Thank you, Mrs. Hop- | e ea rry he's not in." But as he continued B down the street he looked far trom | | $5,000,000 Housing Plan A bond and mortgage com- pany organized to finanee sorry—he looked shrewdly happy and triumphant, as old men of his type home buildings for thousands of HOLLYWOOD Iot owners. e 'Fetdrn tri' 1s the same. 3-Piece Jacquard Living Room Suite A very serviceable and durable suite, as pictured. 4-Pc. French Walnut Bedroom Suite Just as pictured, with Bow-e;id Bed, large 8-Day Railroad Round- Dresser, full Vanity and Chifforobe. Mahogany drawer bottoms, dustproof lining between all draw- Trip Tour : &N wics 3 month we featnte thess “Ivory or White. Enameled . ers, and center drawer guide. Rich in appearance and si ng tours. - Offerinz . . High Chair v and substantially constructed. Deferred Payments al o phg ceme U8 A e No Phone or Mail lrvp——»l"| LLMAN \PR $59 Orders With large Settee, Armchair and Fireside Chair. Deeply overstuffed and richly upholstered in Rose and Taupe Jacquard Velour. Extremely comfort- able and beautiful. Deferred Payments can look on oc And when, street, he met ked along the Dodd, another mem- ber of the congregation, he stopped and told him casually that he had just _called the preacher's and found he was out. Hunting,” he explained fond of hunting. when Joe Dodd terest (gossip is not confined t en), the deacon continued, “Hunting with Bill ‘orkle. He's very fond of Bill McCorkle, very fond.” Joe Dodd continued » show interest, tinged with the infection of his own disapprobation. ~ “Are you busy? Will you come to my office u:ked Withers, encouraged by the attitude of his friend i in the railed-off sanctum of ‘ate office, the older man leaned There's a great ction with Brother Hopkins. y it's true, but I find it talked of every afraid the work of the Lord is suffer- ing. Peoj y he cares more for hunting than for thé 'Lofds work. He shows u preference for men who are not an honor to the Lord’s cause. I am only repeating what I heard. It pains me more than T can express.” And, these sown, he went about his day’s work, a smile on his thin, hard face. Most churches have several pillars. But the First Church of Mountain View had only one—and that pillar was Deacon Withers. It was he who i 4-Passenger Lawn Deferred Payments the Frpti e v f Wl g Open Substituting . are ‘included. Every Enening Until 10 P.M. Phone Us at Once— Main 347—6755 and 6756 Subscriptions to the Hollywgod Magazine taken at thi: office Deferred 45 Payments Iron Frame Lawn 2 White Eiaics s=5 1 % mo | ,, ¢ | %5 Bath Stool No Phone or Mail Orders Payments Deferred White Enameled Kitchen Stool k3 EL Neo Phone or Mail Orders =y Lawn Mower < 3-Door North: Pole Refrigerator White Enameled Kitchen Chair $1.% Neo Phone or Mail Orders Largest and finest liner ever to circle the Globe Sailing westward from New York in November on her second world cruise, visiting 14 countries, each at the season best suited for travel there. Sailing November 2§ from New York Returning April 6, 1926 Journeys ashore under the skilled guidance of the American Express Company. I32days = GO eities ~— 14 countries Your luqn!-' for lterature is_cordially invited. A Line, R. M. Hick: 1208 ¥ .:M“'X Mgr., A-me.n Express Comy any. 13 TG Street N ton, D. C.: or ether of or aRescies of Qe compans. RED STAR LINE l-flll!A‘l'l.IAl. lm MARINE COMPANTY in cooperation with American Express Company Cabinet, inclosed Server, five Side Chairs and one Armchair. A truly wonderful value for 10-Pc. French Walnut Dining Room Sulte A’ beautiful example of modern workman- ship. Beautifully finished and consists of ob- $ the-low price. - Sold on DEFERRED PAY-- 189 MENTS. e Jil/lfl&‘ Usbmylz Jurniture Co. long Extension Table, large Buffet, China Entrance 909 F St.—At Ninth Deferred Payments