California, Southern -- Fiction; Motion picture industry -- Fiction; Petroleum industry and trade -- Fiction; Political fiction
Dad looked things over, and asked a few questions, and was about to say,
“Go,” when he noticed another car coming up the road. It was a big shiny
limousine, and it rolled up fast, and the crowd parted, and it stopped,
and from it descended—gee whiz, could you believe your eyes?—a young
man, tall and rather gawky, stoop-shouldered, sun-tanned, with pale blue
eyes and a mop of corn-colored hair; Eli Watkins, Prophet of the Third
Revelation, transfigured and glorified in a stiff white collar and black
tie and black broadcloth suit, ill-fitting but expensive, and with a
manner cut to the same pattern, that peculiar blend of humble pride
which the divine profession generates. He was followed by an elderly
rich gentleman, who assisted from the car two ladies with costumes, as
you might say the feminine gender of Eli’s; they were some of the
prophet’s new converts, or those whom he had “healen.” The neighbors
stared respectfully, and for a minute or two the well was forgotten, the
spiritual power took precedence over the temporal.
Dad came forward, and shook hands with the prophet; bye-gones were to be
bye-gones, and all disharmonies forgotten in this great hour. Bunny was
amazed by what happened, for he had never known Dad to make a speech
unless he was made to. But there was a whimsical streak in J. Arnold
Ross, which bubbled up once in a while, and caused these queer turns of
events. Dad faced the crowd, and clearing his throat, said: “Ladies and
gentlemen, we are drilling this here well on the ranch where Mr. Eli
Watkins was born, so perhaps he would like to say jist a few words to
you on this occasion.” There was a round of hand-clapping, and Eli
colored, and was obviously very much flattered; he took a step or two
forwards, and folded his hands in front of him in the fashion of a
blessing, and lifted his head, and half closed his eyes, and the booming
voice rolled out:
“Brethren and sisters: Upon these hills have I tendened my father’s
herds, like the prophets of old, and have harkened unto the voice of the
Holy Spirit, speaking to me in the storms and the thunders. Brethren and
sisters, the Lord unfoldens Himself in many ways, and gives precious
gifts to His children. The treasures of the yearth are His, and when in
His Mercy they are handened unto mankind, it is His Will that they be
used in His service and unto His Glory. The things of the body are
subjected unto the things of the spirit; and if in God’s wisdom it
should happen that this well should bring forth treasure, may it be used
in the service of the Most Highest, and may His Blessings rest upon all
they that own or labor for it. Amen.”
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Elsewhere in the archive
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account