Wisconsin herald, and Grant County advertiser. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1844-1845, 1845-01-04

FEuaFu
West. either knows or has heard of the inimta-
ri, Sol SMITH, the celebrated commedian.l
The title of"Reverend" hasfrequeni-
,v been tackled to my name on letters
Addressed to me, and reports have been
Circulated that, during my peregrina-
t;oos. | have been in the habit of "hold-
inc forth" to congregations of sinners.
The truth Of the matter is, l never
preached but one "regularly-built" SER
mon in my life. With the exception
Of an Address to the Encampment Of
patriarchs and lodges of Odd Fellows,
iromthc pulpit ofthe Unitarian Church,
in Mobile, and few brief remarks
to congrcgating ofpassengcrs, on the
occasion of taking up a collection for
Door woman on the Alabama river,
many years ago, the following sketch
will contain true and faithful account
ofmy ministerial experience.
As preliminary, it must be known
that my brother, who had succeeded
me as the manager of the West Tenn
essee Theatres, while l had accepted
an engagement in New Orleans with
the " Emperor" (as we called mana
ger CALDWELL in answer to the numer-
GUS pressing inquiries respecting the.
Whereabouts Of "Old Sol," had uni
formly asserted that had been CONFER
ted and had commenced preaching !
BY this answer he got rid of any fur
Their inquiries from the anxious West
Tennessecans, who had been accustom
ed to laugh at my stage joks-for won
der succeeded curiosity, and many a
lurking smile accompanied the shake
of the head and holding up of hands
which the astounding information caus-
cd. SIS it possible ?"--" Who would
have thought Of his turning preacher!"
- can scarcely believe it'll
would like to hear him try his had at
itn' were some of the EXPLANATIONS
heard bymy brother on his impairment
OF the news ofmy conversion. Re-
qucsting the reader o remember that
was totally ignorant Of the reports of
my backslding from the stage, ]
proceed with my story.
My brotherand his company we're at
Memphis, where had an engagement
six nights. A week before the close
oiour season in Nashville, | obtained
leave to commence my Southern jour-
ney, giving myself time to fulfil my
psomse to my brother,and yet be ready
at my post ut the commencement of
the campaign in New Orleans.
About 3 o'clock, one afternoon, the
stage coach stopped at the little town
OF B, where | had performed the
year before. and where l was well
known by every man, woman and child
for six miles round. The landlord of
the hotel expressed great joy at meet
ing me, and ushercd me with great re-
spcct and ceremony into the family par
lor, where he left me for a few MIMI
ties to attend on the other guests. The
landlady and her daughter received
me with great cordially but could
not help observing a sort ofseriousness
which had never seen before. My
cloak was hung up, my over-shocs ia
ken care of-the fire stirred up, and in
short, | found myself very comfortable,
and felt assured, by every action ofmy
host and his family, that | was consid-
cred somebody. Dinner was soon an
nounced, and arose to join the gener-
al rush for the dining-room, but the
landlady interposed pressing invita-
ton that would join the family din
ner, which would be ready in about
ten minutes. A most superior meal
soon engaged my attention in room
adjoining the parlor-with cup
oil excellent tea, than which | know
nothing more refreshing while travel
ing, noticed that when we had taken
our seats at the table Gan awful pause"
took place, while all eyes were turned
towards me-but at the time it did not
appear very singular that the assem-
bled family should wish to have
"gool look" at one who often minis
.ered to their amusement.
Dinner over, was beckoned into a
private room by Boniface, who said he
wished to have a few words with me.
We took seats. The worthy landlord
mere INDUCED in a long look at me,thc
corners of his mouth and twinkhng of
ms eyes indicating, By certain witch
ing and winkings, that laugh was
on the point of breakinu through all re-