"This is serious, boys. Take off your hat, Bud. Wipe them snickers off'n
your face. We're all sinners; and I reckon now's as good a time as any
to realize the fact. I don't know much about the Bible; but I do recall
enough to hold divine services for once, and I intend to have 'em
respected."
For fifteen minutes California John conducted his services according to
his notion. Then he stated briefly his cause and took up his collection.
"Nine-forty-five," said he thoughtfully, looking at the silver. He
carefully extracted two nickels, and dumped the rest in his pocket. "I
reckon I've earned a drink out of this," he stated; "any objections?"
There were none; so California John bought his drink and departed.
"That's all right," he told the astonished and grateful evangelist, "I
had to do somethin' to blow off steam, or else go on a hell of a drunk.
And it would have been plumb ruinous to do that. So you see, it's lucky
I met you." The old man's twinkling and humorous blue eyes gazed
quizzically at the uneasy evangelist, divided between gratitude and his
notion that he ought to reprobate this attitude of mind.
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