Litchfield enquirer. [volume] (Litchfield, Conn.) 1829-current, 1830-01-14
ANECDoTE OF THE REV. J. W. FLETCHER.

ANECDoTE OF THE REV. J. W. FLETCHER.
His courage and intrepidity were very
emarkable.-Thcre is an anecdote related
by his biographcrs on this subject, SO strik-
ing, that | cannot resist the temptation OF
presenting it to your readers. Mr.. Fletch-
er had very proAigate nephew,a military
man, who had been dismissed from the
Sandman service for base aud ungentle-
manly conduct. He had engaged in two
or three duels, and dissipa,ed his resour-
ces in career Of vice and extravaganza.
This desperate youth waited one day on
his eldest uncle, General de Cons, and,
presenting loaded pistol, threatened to
shoot him unless he would Immediately
advance him five hundred crowns. The
general, though brave man, we'll knew
what desperate he had to deal with, and
gave draft for the money, at the same
time expostulating freely with him on his
conduct. The young madman rode off
triumphantly with his i'll gotten acquisition.
In the evening, passing the door of his
younger uncle, Mr.. Fletcher, he determine
ed to call on him, and began with telling
him what General de- Cons had done
and as q proof, exhibited the draft under
De Cons own hand. Mr.. Fletcher took
she draft from his nephew, and looked at it
with establishment. Then after some re-
marks, quitting it into his pocket, ssid,-
cit strikes me, young man, that you have
possessed yourself Of this note by some
indirect method and in honesty l cannot
return it, but with my brothers knowledge
aud appreciation" The nephew's pistol
was at his breast. "My life," replied
Mr.. Fletcher with perfect calmness, sis
secure in the protection Of the Almighty
Power; nor will he suffer il to be the for
felt Of my integrity and Of your rashness. !"
This firmness drew from the nephew the
observation, that his uncle De Cons,
though an old soldier, was more afraid OF
death than his brother. Afraid ofdeath!
rejoined Mr.. Fletcher; do you think l
have been twenty-five years the minister
Of the Lord of Life, to be afraid Of death
now! No, sir: It is for you TO fear death.
You are gamester and cheat. yet you
call yourself a gentleman You are the
seducer Of female innocence, and still! say
YOU are q gentleman! You are duel
list, and for this you style yourself a man
of honor! Look there, sir; the broad
eve of Heaven is fixed upon Us. Tremble
in the presence Of your Maker, who can in
a moment kill your body and for ever pun
ish your soul in hell" The unhappy man
turned pale, and trembled alternately with
fear and rage. He still threatened his
uncle with instant death. Fletcher, though
thus menaced, gave no alarm, sought for
NO weapon. and attempted not to escape.
He calmly conversed with his proaigatc
relation f; and, at length perreiving him to
be affected, addressed him in language tru-
" paternal, till he had fairly disarmed and
subdued him. He would not return his
brothers draft, but engaged to procure for
the young man some immediate relief
He then prayed with him, and, after fulfil
ling his promise Of assistance, parted witE
him, with much good advice on one side,
and many fair promises on tho other
The power Of courage, founded on pi-
ETY. and principle, together with its iniiu-
ence in overcoming the widest aud mos.
desperate proAigacy, were never moro
inely illustrated than by this anecdotc. /.
deserves to DO put into the hands of every
self.styled "man Of honor" To show him
how Ear superior is the courage that dares
70 die, ihoughit dares not sin, to the boosted
proves Of mere man Of the world. How
utterly contemplate does the desperation
Of duellist appear, when contrasted with
the noble intrepidity of such Christian
soldier rs tho humble Vicar Of Madeley
IL M. Fletcher's reply TO his nephew,
as given By his biographers. be correct, it
exhibits a'specimen of indignant eloquencc
which was never perhaps surpassed, and
has NOT often, boon equalled. Here indeed
was digaas Uiadice RodGs an occasion
worthy OF the Christian Observer.
Honseacifery.--TO the middling class Of
life there is no female accomplishment
more valuable than honsewifery. BY that