by D M Barrett
“I’ve got something that belongs to you,” Coleman Walker said as Jack Wright answered.
“I’m praying it’s our missing preacher,” Jack Wright said as a hush fell over Discount Grocery.
“He’s here with Brother Sullivan, a lay preacher from Crab Orchard. I think he’ll be here for another couple of hours. That is when the Dixie Gospel Caravan finishes,” Mr. Walker reported.
“Keep him there if you have to hogtie him. Sheriff Hankins is bringing a few of us up in his patrol car,” Jack Wright said.
“I’ll run the show an extra hour, if necessary,” Coleman Walker promised.
When the Lewis family took the stage after Brother Sullivan’s short talk, Roy Lewis said, “We’ve got a special request for our first song. It’s called: ‘Keep On The Firing Line.’”
It was obvious, at least to Preacher Mann, that Josh Sullivan had requested the song. It had a special meaning on that particular Sunday afternoon.
The song began:
“If you’re in the battle for the Lord and right
Just keep on the firing line
If you win the battle, surely you must fight
So keep on the firing line.”
Preacher Mann nodded as the song progressed. However, the third verse was the part that hit him like a ton of bricks:
“There are many dangers everyone must face
If you die fighting, there is no disgrace
With the Lord for cowards, you will find no place
So keep on the firing line.”
It seemed to Preacher Mann that every song in the next two hours of the Dixie Gospel Caravan was speaking to him. But not one gave him the conviction that he received like the Lewis Family’s rendition of Keep On The Firing Line.
Coleman Walker kept watch through the glass portals of the studio doors. He expected Sheriff Hankins and his passengers to arrive about a half-hour before the show ended. However, there was only about fifteen minutes to go before Mr. Walker was to close the Dixie Gospel Caravan.
The final singer was an old friend of Preacher Mann and the Smith Brothers, Marilyn Mitchell. In addition to singing with the Smith Brothers on the Friday Night Frolics at the Bluebird Café, she also sang regularly with the Lewis Family on WNOX-AM.
Standing at the microphone to begin the last fifteen-minute segment on the Dixie Gospel Caravan, Marilyn Mitchell remarked, “Here’s a new song that’s been especially good for us. It has very little instrumentation. It’s called ‘Diamond In My Crown.’”
Marilyn Mitchell and Pauline Lewis sang the following lines together:
“Shining down someday I know
Brighter than all the street of gold
When the burdens that I carry I will lay down
And the sorrows I have known
I’ll see them all be overthrown
There’ll be a diamond, a diamond in my crown.”
As the song finished, Coleman Walker pointed to the studio doors. The preacher saw Nurse Bilbrey and Jack Wright looking through the round glass portals. Behind them were Sheriff Hankins and Miss Rosie Hatton.
The preacher wrote in his journal about his experience on that fateful Sunday afternoon:
“For the first time, I realized the disappointment and heartache that Elijah suffered after his stunning victory against the false prophets of Baal at Mt. Carmel. Nevertheless, the people continued to worship the false god, and Ahab and Jezebel sought to have him put to death. A despondent Elijah was hiding in a cave. In a still, small voice the Lord reminded him that 7,000 of God’s people had not bowed their knees to Baal.
There were gainsayers, servants of mammon, and deceivers willing to thwart the work of the Lord in Ferguson and the surrounding area. But the overwhelming majority of the citizens seek to do right. They just need a guiding hand and some spiritual encouragement.
Like the Lewis Family instructed me with their song, Keep On The Firing Line, ‘With the Lord, for cowards you will find no place. So keep on the firing line.’”
* **
Preacher Mann walked through the heavy studio doors and was immediately embraced by Nurse Bilbrey. Jack Wright, Sheriff Hankins, and Miss Rosie Hatton surrounded the couple.
Coleman Walker walked into the lobby and said, “Preacher, I confess that I’m the man who ratted you out. I’m convinced that it was the right thing to do.”
“Now preacher, you’re coming back with us if I have to handcuff you. There’s a congregation and a town that desperately needs you. It’s like a farmer once told me, ‘You can’t judge my litter of pigs based on a few runts,’” Sheriff Hankins remarked.
“At least give Ferguson a chance to improve. Besides, First Baptist of Knoxville has taken over the Angels Landing project. It’s not a lightning rod issue anymore,” Jack Wright explained.
“How did that happen?” the preacher asked with incredulity.
“A certain radio station manager, who is also a deacon at First Baptist, championed the cause. The congregation felt that a half dozen paroled women would be no threat to a city the size of Knoxville,” Nurse Bilbrey said.
“The Lord has a way of taking care of things, preacher. It’s like you told me the first time that we met: Jehovah Jireh,” Miss Rosie instructed.
“I’ve got a dog in this fight. We’ve got an appointment in Crab Orchard tonight,” Josh Sullivan interjected.
“Who is he?” Jack Wright asked with a puzzled look.
“He’s the new preacher at Community Church in Ferguson,” Preacher Mann announced.
“Are you saying that’s he’s taking your place?” Sheriff Hankins asked.
“Eventually, but he’ll be the number two man for the foreseeable future. He’ll be filling in while I take a vacation for a wedding and honeymoon in early May. He’ll teach and preach as much as his schedule permits,” Preacher Mann replied.
“My schedule is empty. I can do whatever is needed,” Josh Turner explained.
“You’ll be riding the train Nashville for three days a week studying at Oberlin Divinity School at Vanderbilt University,” the preacher promised.
“I don’t have that kind of money. I’m not an exceptional scholar either,” Josh replied.
“You’re getting a scholarship from Community Church. Three of the four trustees for the church are present. We can get the fourth trustee, Dr. Marcus Whitman, on the telephone, if necessary,” Preacher Mann said.
“Why would they be willing to fund my education?” Josh Sullivan asked.
“It’s a condition for my continued work at Community Church,” the preacher prodded.
“I move that we provide a scholarship for this young man’s ministerial education,” Miss Rosie Hatton said.
“I second that motion,” Sheriff Hankins said.
Coleman Walker announced, “I’ve got Dr. Whitman on the telephone.”
He handed the phone to Jack Wright. The merchant nodded his head affirmatively.
“Dr. Whitman votes for providing the scholarship funds,” Jack Wright said.
Sheriff Hankins, Miss Rosie Hatton, and Jack Wright also voted in favor of granting the scholarship. It was unanimous.
“Like Brother Sullivan told you, we have an appointment in Crab Orchard. It’ll probably take an hour,” Preacher Mann explained.
“I’m putting you in the custody of Nurse Bilbrey and Brother Sullivan until you get back to Ferguson. At that point you can be released,” Sheriff Hankins said with a slight chuckle.
Sheriff Hankins, Jack Wright, and Miss Rosie Hatton loaded into the patrol car and embarked for Ferguson. Preacher Mann, Brother Josh Sullivan, and Nurse Bilbrey got into the black Ford truck bound for Crab Orchard.
As they entered the city of Crab Orchard, the preacher asked, “How far are we away from the Allen residence?”
“We’re about five minutes away from their home. It’s down West Main Street two blocks from the public square,” Josh Turner announced.
“It’s after 8:00 pm. Is that too late for a
visit?” Nurse Bilbrey queried.
“I told them I’d be here at about 8:30 pm and I’d be bringing a friend,” Josh said.
“How’d you know you’d be bringing a friend?” Preacher Mann asked with an intense look.
“I got it from a reliable source,” Josh Sullivan said as he gave a slight wink at Nurse Bilbrey.
“No doubt,” the preacher remarked.
Josh Sullivan knocked on the door of the Allen residence. Mr. Robert Allen, Sr. invited the trio inside.
Josh Sullivan introduced Nurse Bilbrey and Preacher Mann to Robert and Janice Allen. After pleasantries were exchanged, everyone was invited to take seats in the family’s living room. Mr. Allen called for Bob to join them.
“Josh, we knew you were bringing a friend but we didn’t expect a preacher and a nurse,” Mr. Allen said.
“Preacher Mann is my new boss at the Community Church in Ferguson. Nurse Bilbrey is his fiancé. They are getting married in early May,” Brother Sullivan explained.
“How’d he know about the wedding?” Nurse Bilbrey asked the preacher.
“He had a reliable source,” Preacher Mann said.
“He got it from the Lord?” Nurse Bilbrey asked excitedly.
“He got it from Coleman Walker,” the preacher said with a smile.
“Congratulations, to both of you,” Janice Allen said as Bob Allen entered the living room.
“I understand that you are considering a career other than one your parents have planned for you,” Preacher Mann said as he extended his hand.
“How’d he know that?” Bob Allen said looking directly at Josh Sullivan.
“I had a reliable source,” the preacher interjected.
“That’s been happening a lot lately,” Nurse Bilbrey remarked.
“Indeed,” Josh responded.
“My parents are both educators. My father is the principal at Crab Orchard Elementary School. My mother teaches second grade. They planned for me to become a teacher, too,” Bob Allen explained.
“Why do you disagree with that career path?” Nurse Bilbrey asked.
“I’ve been signed by the Philadelphia Phillies. I have to report on September 1st. They wrote me an official letter and sent a contract for Robert Earl Allen,” Bob explained.
“What are your objections, Mr. Allen?” Preacher Mann asked.
“I think it’s an excellent opportunity. His mother is afraid that he may bounce between the major leagues and the minor leagues and never have regular, stable employment,” Mr. Allen remarked.
“He’s 23 years old. He’s been out of high school for five years. His only job has been playing baseball for a minor league team. He doesn’t make enough to support a wife and a family as a minor league baseball player. If he continues playing minor league baseball, he’ll never be a teacher,” Mrs. Janice Allen explained.
“I attended law school and divinity school late in life. I am a veteran of the war. It interrupted my plans,” the preacher said with a smile.
“He was a late bloomer,” Nurse Bilbrey remarked and caused a room full of laughter.
“Mrs. Allen, suppose that Bob agrees to return and become a teacher if his baseball career doesn’t succeed past the first two years,” the preacher offered.
“If he’s willing to do that, I’ll fully support his choice,” Janice Allen replied.
Bob Allen walked across the room. He embraced his mother and then hugged his father.
“I want to be a preacher like that when I grow up,” Josh Sullivan said with a huge smile.
“You’re already in the big leagues,” Preacher Mann opined.
“No doubt,” Nurse Bilbrey said as Robert and Janice Allen nodded.
Editor’s Note: Robert Earl ‘Thin Man’ Allen became a member of the Philadelphia Phillies and debuted as a pitcher in September 1937. He spent only part of one season in the major leagues before being sent to a minor league team. His baseball career ended in 1938. He was a retired supervisor in Shop 72 at the Norfolk Naval Shipyard. He died in Chesapeake, Virginia at the age of 91.
9.
Gypsies
“Tom, didn’t you hear me?” Nurse Bilbrey asked with some concern.
The preacher was staring into his dinner plate as he sat inside the large dining room at Miss Rosie’s. She had provided him with beef roast, potatoes, carrots, onions, green beans, and blackberry cobbler. He was totally unaware of anything that the county nurse had said.
“I’m sorry, Beth,” I wasn’t listening.
“I can’t believe you’re not listening to me. You always hang on my every word,” Nurse Bilbrey teased.
“Always!” the preacher exclaimed with a big smile.
“What in this world had you so distracted?” the nurse asked.
“My mind was on Josh Sullivan,” the preacher said.
“How is he doing?” Nurse Bilbrey queried.
“He’s doing great in his divinity classes. His professors tell me that he’s bright and committed to the ministry,” Preacher Mann replied.
“What’s your concern?” Nurse Bilbrey asked.
“He needs to be more outgoing. It’s important for him to be involved in people’s lives and their struggles,” the preacher replied.
“What is the best way to get him involved?” the nurse queried.
“I need to send him on some calls with you.” Preacher Mann said with a chuckle.
“Do you trust me with a younger man?” Nurse Bilbrey said with a giggle.
“I trust him,” the preacher said bluntly.
“I met a young man at the county workhouse that I need you to go see. He was wrongly convicted of a crime. He is awaiting transfer to Brushy Mountain Prison to be executed,” Nurse Bilbrey explained.
“Is this a preacher visit or a lawyer visit?” the preacher inquired.
“It’s both,” she said sternly.
“Unfortunately, your preacher visit may be more fruitful than a lawyer visit,” Preacher Mann opined.
“Why do you believe that?” Nurse Bilbrey inquired.
“If he had exhausted all his state court appeals, he’s pretty much left with a federal habeas corpus writ. They are seldom successful except in very exceptional facts or circumstances,” the preacher explained.
“I have total confidence that you can help him,” Nurse Bilbrey said.
Before Preacher Mann could respond, he saw Sheriff Hankins walk into Miss Rosie’s Dining Room and approach the table. He had a serious look on his face.
“I need to speak with you, preacher,” Sheriff Hankins said sternly.
“I didn’t do it. You didn’t see me do it. I’ve got the only lawyer in town,” the preacher said with a chuckle.
“You gonna do it, though,” Sheriff Hankins said with a slight smile.
“I’ve finally got him on a dinner date. If you’re going to take him away, at least tell me what he’ll be doing,” the county nurse instructed.
“We’ve got to go down to Roy Simpson’s meadow, beside Goose Creek, and run off a couple of wagon loads of gypsies,” Sheriff Hankins explained.
“What have they done?” Preacher Mann asked.
“We’re gonna get rid of ‘em before they do anything,” the sheriff reasoned.
“To prevent an argument, let’s hold that thought. What are you expecting them to do?” Preacher Mann asked.
“Steal anything they can get their hands on. Commit fraud selling worthless trinkets. They practice divination through contact with spirits. They engage in fortune-telling and reading crystal balls for money. They kidnap children,” Sheriff Hankins replied.
“Have you had any actual reports of these things by these gypsies?” the preacher inquired.
“Those things are generally known by law enforcement everywhere,” the sheriff responded.
“What specific reports from what law enforcement personnel in Tennessee have you received?” Preacher Mann pressed.
“Well, I hate to discuss it in front of Nurse Bilbrey,” Sheriff Han
kins admitted.
“I’m a big girl. Go ahead, sheriff!” Nurse Bilbrey said with a raised voice sounding slightly condescending.
“I got a call from Sheriff Lockhart in Cumberland County. He warned me that these gypsies were headed our way,” Sheriff Hankins stated before pausing.
“Well, what did he say that they had done?” Preacher Mann asked.
“He said they were . . . er . . . uh . . . were engaging in inappropriate forms of entertainment,” the sheriff blurted out.
“Are you talking about prostitution?” the county nurse asked.
“No, ma’am. It’d be like dancing, cavorting, showing their legs, and giving peeks of their breasts and female private parts,” Sheriff Hankins said with a lowered voice.
“You mean like what you, Sheriff Walker, and Tom saw at the Midnight Rambler Hoochie-Coochie show in Rhea County last fall?” Nurse Bilbrey asked.
“Preacher, I can’t believe that you discussed that bawdy, degenerate, and licentious show with her,” Sheriff Hankins remarked.
“Oh, he never mentioned it to me. I got my news from Miss Rosie who said that you and the school teacher, Patricia Stoner, voted in favor of it coming to Ferguson,” Nurse Bilbrey announced.
“Well, I . . . er . . . uh . . . I mean,” the sheriff stuttered before being interrupted.
“Let’s see, what did that carnival barker say: ‘It’s red hot and still heating – just the way you like it,’” the nurse remarked.
“Sheriff Hankins did put his hand over my eyes to shield me from the worst part,” the preacher offered.
“You two went to Rhea County. You saw four buxom women cavorting in the nude. It was so bad that Sheriff Hankins shielded your eyes. Except for an act of God providing a severe thunderstorm, you’d have let the Midnight Rambler be a part of the Ferguson Fair,” Nurse Bilbrey scolded.
“I take it that you’re not supportive of the Fair Board, which consisted of Jack Wright, Rosie Hatton, Patricia Stoner, and Sheriff Hankins, initially voting in favor of a Floyd Baxter contract which clearly outlined that a burlesque show would be a part of the midway?” Preacher Mann asked pointedly.