Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1845-09-27
A STORY OF THE SOUTHWEST.

now fhh emouATAiN HLAcKsMITH WAS CoHyERTED.--
ne scene - aid IN the regions Of Georgia
Mr. Forgeron, blacksmith had great antipathy against ali
Methodist ministers in particular His shoo was n narrow
mountain pass and he declared his determination 10 wbip
every Methodist preacher that passed his anon TIVE Rev n
Subblewoh, however, readily consented ~ o ,b sd ~
following describes his ride through the mountains
Fogeron had heard Of his new VICTIM and seoced that his
size and appearance furnished better subject his
than the atenuated frame Of the late parson Oh VIA,
nice beating he would have He had heard too that oa
ministers rather Spirited and hoped this one might he
provoked to fight Knowing that the clergyman must pass on
Saturday in the afternoon he gave his striker hoyday and
RECALLED himself the beauties Of Tom Pane awaiting ne
approach Of the preacher hour before he
heard the words a
"oh, how happy are they who their Saviour obey,
L And have laid up their treasures above"
sung in full clear and soon vocalist turning the
ange OF the rock rode up with continued smile his face
now are you, old Slabsdes Get off your horse, and
JON Y. 70 my devotion" said the smith
Il, nave miles ride J" answered the preacher and
nan nv. ume my friend. | will call when return"
it, ~ name y siubblewoh, and you the tAing hypo-
NV nams !. have sent here 70 preach eh
y. ~ nane ~ Stubhleworh, /" he nleekIy replied
smith ,h, 49, Asow my name was Ned Foreeron the black
ma WHIPS every Methodist preacher that comes along
was asked WIN an audacou and how dare YOU come
The preacher replied that he had h. Y, &c
but presumed that he did modest welbehaved travellers
"fsu presume 30 Yes you the most pyesumntuous
people, You Mehodists that rod sole leae apv No.
Well what II you do you beefheaded disciple YOU ~
Mr. Stubbleworth proessed his Willingness to do am, ,b;
reasonable to avoid such penance. - A''s
"Wel, there's three things you have to do or I'll maui
you into jelly The first is you quit preaching the
second is you must this last will Of Tho
mas Paine next to your heart read every day. and believe
every word you read and the third that you are to curse
the Methodss every you get into ? and the black
smith "shucked himself rolled up his sleeves, and took
qud of tobacco.
The preacher looked on during these novel preparations
without line OF his face moving, and at the end he replied
that the terms were unreasonable and he would not submit
to them.
sWel you've got whaling to submit to then. I'll tear
you into doll rags, ways Getdown, you cuedlong
faced hypocrite." 3
The preacher demonstrated and Forgeron walking up to
the horse threatened him off if he did dsmoun
wheeupon the worthy made virtue Of necessity and
alghted.
81 have request to make, my fiend-that is, you
won't beat me with this on present from
the ladies' Of my last circuit and do wish have il
torn" :.
of with it. and that suddenly you imp you"
The Methodist preacher slowly drew off his overcoat as
the blacksmith continued his TRADE of abuse Of him and Sect
and throwing the garment behind him, he dealt Mr. Forge
tremendous blow between the eyes, which laid that per-
the ground with the tesaent Of Tom Paine beside
him. Mr.. Subbewoh, with the tact Of connosseur in
such matters did wait for his adversary RISE but
ed him with the qucknes Of cat and bestowed his blows
with courteous hand the stomach and face Of the black
smith, continuing his song where he had left off on his arrival
Tongue express the sweet comfort, &c.
until Forgeron from having experienced first love-
other sensation equally new to him. responded Justify
4
But, unfortunately, there by to perform that
kind Office except the preacher old ROAM he munched
bunch of grass and looked if his happy
SNOW" said Stubbeworth there are three things YOU
must promise me- before let you up"
"What are they :" asked Forgeron, eagerly.
"The first is that you win never modest Methodist
preacher again "
Here Neds pride rose and he hesaed and the reverend
gentleman, with his usual benign smile his face, renewed
his blows and sung
SCI then rode on the Sky, freely justified,
And the moon it under my feet"
This oriental language the blacksmith. Such
bold figures something else, caused him to sing out,
" We'll, I'll dot, I'll do it"
You getting very wei, said Mr. Subbleworth.
6 think make decent of you yet and perhaps
Christian A
Ned groaned
"The second thing require of you is, go Pumpkin
creek meeting house, and hear preach tomorrow.
Ned attempted TO sammer excuse, when the di-
vine resumed his devotional hymn, and kept time with the
music striking him the face with the feshy part Of his
hand. te.t H EstH
"Pn do my best" said he, in an humble voice.
"Wel, that's man" said Stubbleworth ssNow get up
and down to the spring and wash your face and tear up
Tom Paine's testament and turn your thoughts high
Ned rose with feelings he experienced before and
went to obey the Ayaoy njuncons Of the preacher when
the latter person mounted his horse took Ned by the hand
and said
/" Now keep your promise, and I'll keep your counsel
Good evening, Mr. Forgeron I'll look for you morrow"
And off he rode with the impeurbabe counenance,
singing 30 loud as to scare the eagles from their eyre in the
overhanging rocks.
"WeI,D thought Ned this is a nice business What
would people say they knew Edward Forgeron whip
ped before his door, and that by Methodist preacher !"
But his musings in than in anger His
dsgured countenance of COURSE the subject numer
Gus questions that night among his friends which he re-
Piled with stern look they well undersood and the vague
remark that he had met with accident.
Of course they dreamed of the cause Ned looked
the glass and compared his black eye recent scu
he to the rainbow shpwreck scene blending every color
into one Or perhaps he read the story and utered
TO himself Ned Fogeron whipped by Methodist preacher Z"
From that time his whole conduct manifested change
feeling The gossips Of the neghborhood observed it. and
whispered that Ned SILENT and had gone meeting every
Sunday since the accident They wondered greatly OF his
burning the books he used to read much Strange
were circulating to the metamorphoss of this osa dare
devil blacksmith into gloomy and tactun some sup
posed very sagey that spirit had entced him into the
mountains, and, after giving him glimpse into the future
had mlsed him to cag, where he had fallen and bruised his
face Others gave the prince of darkness the credit the
change but suspected the Methodist preachers and the
latter having no vanity crafty, the remained with
Ned The gloomy state Of mind continued until Forperop
visited camp meeting. Rev. Mr. Stubbeworth preached
sermon that seemed to enter his soul and relieve of bur
den and the song of
How happy are they who their Saviour obey''
was only half through when he felt like new man. Forge
was from that time shouting Methodist AT love
FEAST short time subsequent gave in his experience and
revealed the mystery his conviction and conversion to his
astonished neighbors
The Rev Mr.. Stubblewoh, who had faithfully kept the
secret until that me could not contain himself any longer
but gave vent to his feelings in convuvc pea of laughter
as the burning tears Of coued their down hrs cheeks
/" Yes, my brethren" said he cit is fact ! did maui
the grace into his unbelcving SOUL there is no doubt
he