ABSTRACT
A fine city man had a brand-new buggy and a prize-winning pair of trotters that he wished to try out. The great majority of upcountry jests are neither scrupulously original nor sparklingly clever. Often enough a rustic gem will shine for generations. In the early days of the Republic of Texas when the Indians were especially bad, an old Primitive Baptist preacher was preparing for a long trip across the Indian country. The congregation was badly divided on the question of whether or they should grant a certain young brother, whose reputation for piety was none too good, a licence to preach. The sheriff of a brush county in Southwestern Missouri was forming a posse to recapture a depraved culprit who had broken jail while the defender of justice was away investigating.
