Martinsburg gazette. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1833-1855, 1843-04-13

I
gave his zeal distinct and sectarian d.
rrction. A Methodist preacher over in
! Tennessee, who was fond of soieing bis
| discoursss with anecdotes, once made the
blacksmith the principal character in a
long sermon. His peculiarities were d.
lated on, and his heresies dealt with, in
brcoming severity. He was rdiculco by
the preacher. All this came 10 the ear al
Forgeron, with such additions and embel-
| lIshments as stories usually receive in
passing TO third person. II would be as
useless 10 attempt TO describe mountain
storm as to picture the wrath of this
rnguniaineer. Bu. if we cannot puurtrsy
the storm, the consequences may be east.
Iy told. TIE blacksmith suore in his prath
he wonh mhip every Methodist preacher
that passed his !gcp, IN rcrenge Of his in
suit.
Forgeron WAS a man Of his word, os the
bruised features If many Of John Wes-
ley's Disciples ud testify. His charac-
ter soon went abroad, and the good old
matrons Of the surrounding counties on
each side Of the mountain, trembled at his
name. In short, the mountain pass,
which was really us romantic place as
q landscape painter would seek for pic.
ture, ard was just the spot 10 remind u
youth fresh from his classic studies of the
place where Leonidas and his three hun
dred Spartsns fell IN attempting to defend
Greece against the army Of Xetxcs;-in
despite Of the grandeur oil its beetling cliffs
and the beauty of its verdufe, was asso-
ciated in the minds OF many pious persons
with the broad gate that leads to destruc-
ton. And Ned Forgeron, the handsome
blacksmith, was invested with the attri.
butes and hideous aspect Of his satanic
majesty by many mountain girl, who
would doubtless have ''iallen in love a,
first sight" with him under any other
name.
The preacher whose circuit lay on Ell.
Their side of the mountain y, the time
Ned's dirrul edict was promulgated 10
the world, was a meek and lowly man,
who approached nearly in his natural dis
position, to wiling obedience To the man
date relative TO turning the cheek TO the
sml.er. The poor soul passed many
sleepless nights III view Of the fate that
awaited him n, the mountain pass. In
his dreams he saw Forgeion with his
huge sledge hammer in his hand ready to
dash out hrs brains, and would start with
such violence as to wake himself. He
enquired il there was 20 other place at
which the mountain could be passed, only
to learn his doom more ceria AMY. Being
a timh man, but wi,hsl devoutly i'm
pressed with sense Of his duty, he re.
solved to discharge his duties faithfully,
be the consequences what they might
Like lamb gong TO the slaughter did
he wend his way toward the gap; as he
came in front OF the shop, the blacksmith
was striking the last blow on a shovel.
and singing TO the tune Of Clear the
Kitchen -..... --......
"Old Georgia is noble State,
Her aws ale good and her people great"
On catchin. glimpse Of the poor par
son, who had 4 altered himself that he
was about TO pass with immunity, Ned
sung out-"Stop there, you eternal shad
belly, and pay the Pr nai.y for my injured
reputation"
The huly man protested Innocence Of
having Intentionally injured HIM by word
or deed.
The mans subdued and earnest looks
hal half dlssuaded Ned from his stern
purpose, when the giggIIng 3 his striker
and the cheering of two or three oilers,
nerved him 10 d. what he felt was mean.
Let any one pause for a moment, and re.
feet If he has never been urged on 10 acts
his conscience smolc him for, by the opn.
ion Of others, before Mr.. Forgeron is
senienced as devil. The preacher re.
ceived several boxes on his ears, AMI
heard MANY dennnclations against his
sect before hs was permitted 10 depart;
and when that PERMISSION wns received,
he was not SLOW in awaiting himself Of the
privilege. .....
At the next annual conference, when
circuits were assigned to the different
preachers, this one made his appearance
pureiually, but by some tocess of casu.
lsiry, convinced hims, If that his duty did
no, cali for revelation Of his sufferings.
~ ut dS lbb otuoittNC VI TIT .
character TO expose II to rnd, remark, or
if he had preference that some worlhler
brother should occupy that healthy sta
ton among the mountains, It is difficult to
| conjecture. But Forgeron's reputation
had extended beyond the circuits and ives
done apple and severe justice by others
| who had heard of his fame. 1t soon be-
came the subject Of animated conversa-
ton, aud there was 40 tile wincing, each
one fearing /: would be his cruel late 10
be s"nt victim to appease the wrath oi
this human mInotaur against the Metho.
| dist church.
! After a tune it was decreed tina, the
| Rev. Mr.. Stubblewortb was the doomed
| individual; and when the annuucia,ion
came many an eye OF mingled pity and
curiosity were turned on his ruddy, Coos
| natured face, to see how the dispensaioit
WINS borne, but not muscle moved. --
| With a quiet smile, he protested pev(ec
Willingness TO go where he was seat. II,
WIS 'clay in the hands Of tho potter" hi
said II he piqued himself 90 stolid in
difference to the Bridesmaids pummel
ipgs, or if he relied on his ample diner
sions TO protect himself, he nevrrdlselosed
| hut annnarea M sslfsatisfisd and conten