eretics were brought to orthodoxy, and infidels were
converted. Preacher Crookshank flourished contemporaneously with John
Barleycorn. To be frank, he and John were bosom friends. In fact, it was
reported that Crookshank was never at his best in preaching except when
he had an infilling of the "spirit" of the Barleycorn type. He had a
certain long-tailed coat, said to have been given to him by a fellow
member of the Legislature. This coat had large pockets in the tail
wherein was carried a bottle of whiskey. This was a source of much
inspiration to Crookshank throughout his long and eventful career.

But I must leave off any further description of this notable. Those who
are further interested I refer to the blue-grass cemetery just back of
Mount Olivet church, where a tombstone is to be found bearing this
inscription: "Rev. John Crookshank--Statesman, Preacher, Orator. Died
June 6, 1867."

As before stated, Mount Olivet church flourished. She was nestled among
the picturesque Ozark Hills, about midway between Ridgetown and
Dobbinsville. Everybody in the community, almost, who had any religious
inclination, and some who had none, belonged to Mount Olivet. She
boasted in being the largest church in all Randolph County--the churches
at Ridgetown and Dobbinsville not excepted. When I say that Mount Olivet
church flourished, I do not mean that she flourished in spiritual
things. Indeed, her candle of vital religion had well-nigh flickered
out. Scarcely a member could be found who would testify to a real
experience of salvation from sin. There were three things for which the
members of this particular church were remarkable, namely, they were
great sticklers for the faith of their church, they were all
holiness-fighters, they all used tobacco in some form.

CHAPTER II

Deacon Gramps sat on his plow-handles. The sultry August day was drawing
to a close. The sun was just ready to roll its bright red disk behind
the western horizon. The Deacon seemed to be in a deep meditation. He
cast a glance at his beautiful farm as it stretched itself out for a
mile toward the river on the one side and nestled snugly against the
foot of the limestone hill on the other side. The large white farmhouse
with green trimming cozily planted on a blue-grass knoll across the
brook seemed to bid him be at rest. The large red barn just back of the
house stood out in sharp contrast against the green-foliaged mountain.
The gold-colored balls