Iowa capitol reporter. [volume] (Iowa City, Iowa) 1841-1855, 1848-03-29
The Methodist and the Actress
FROM THE LIFE OF MRS. JouRDAN.

During Mrs. Jourdan's short stay at
Chester, where she had been performing,
her washerwoman, widow with three
small children, was by merciless credi-
tor thrown into prison. A small debt OF
forty shillings had been increased in short
time by law expenses to eight pounds.
As soon as Mrs. Jourdan had heard of the
circumstances, she sent for the attorney,
paid him the demand, and observed, with
as much severity as her good natured coun-
tenance could assume:
."You lawyers are certainly Internal
spirits, allowed on earth to make poor NOR
tails miserable"
The attorney, however, pocketed the af-
front, and with low bow made his exit.
On the afternoon of the same day the
poor woman was liberated. As Mrs. Jour-
dan was taking her usual walk with her
servant, the widow with her children fol-
lowed her, and just as she had taken shell
ter from shower Of rain in a kind Of
porch, dropped on her knees and with
much grateful emotion exclaimed:
"God forever bless you, madam, you
have saved me and my poor children from
ruin"
The children beholding their mothers
tears, added by their cries to the affecting
scene, which sensitive mind could not
behold but with strong feelings Of sympa-
thy. The natural liyeliness of Mrs. Jour-
dams disposition was not easily dampened
by sorrowful scenes. However, though
she strove to hide it, the tear Of feeling
stole down her cheek, and STOPPING down
to kiss the children, she slipped pound
note into the mothers hand, and in her
usual playful maner replied:
"There, there; now it's all over. Go,
good woman; God bless you! Don't say
another word"
She would have replied, but her bene-
factress insisted on her silence and depar-
tllre.
1t happened that another person had ia
ken shelter under the porch, and witness
sed the whole of the interesting scene,
who, as soon as Mrs. Jourdon observed
him, came forward, and holding out his
hand, exclaimed with deep drawn sigh :
ssLady, pardon the freedom of stran-
ger, but would to the Lord they were all
like thee"
The figure Of this man bespoke his cal
ling. His countcnance was rather pale,
and suit of sable, rather the worse for
wear, covered his tall and spare person.
The penetrating eyes Of Thalia's favourite
votary soon developed his character and
profession, and with her wonted good hui
NOR, retreating few PAGES, she replied
s'No, / won't shake hands with you."
"Why?"
because you are Methodist preach
er, and when you know who am you'll
send me to the devil.
"The Lord forbid; am, as you say, a
preacher Of the Gospel of the Lord Jesus
Christ, who tells us to clothe the naked.
feed the hungry, and relieve the distress
sed; and do YOU think can behold a Sis
ter fulfilling the commands of my Great
Master withoutfeeling the spiritual attach
ment which leads me to break through all
worldly customs, and offer you the hand Of
friendship and brotherly love-"
"Well, well; your good old soul,
dare say; but l don't like fanatics, and you
won't like me, when tell you that am
a player
The preacher sighed.
eyes, am player, and you must have
heard of me. Mrs. Jourdanis my name. I"
After a brief pause, he again extended
his hand, and with complacent counte-
nance replied:
ssGod bless thee, whoever thou art. His
goodness is unlimited. He has poured on
thee large portion Of his spirit; and as
to thy calling, if thy soul upbraid thee not
the Lord forbid that ! should.'
Thus rcconciled and the rain having
abated, they left the porch together. The
offer Of his arm was accepted, and the fe-
male Roscius Of comedy and the disciple Of
John Wesley proceeded arm in arm to the
door Of Mrs. Jourdan's dwelling. Atpart.
ing the preacher shook hands with her
saying: