Carroll free press. [volume] (Carrollton [Ohio]) 1834-1861, 1849-05-04

chief, looks like one Of the gospel.shop men.
'Spose we ak him to give us a sarmint. Id like
10 hear one, by jingo.'
That gentleman, sir, presume 10 be min
lsIer. and it is quite likely he will accommodate
YOU
you know him, don't youl Jus, GIT him to
give us a snoring sarmint. III hold bis hat
id if don'ip
d will ask him. replied the clergyman.-Ile
crossed over 10 his friend Of the white cravat
and stated the wish Of the gambler. Returning
however, he remarked that the preacher declin.
ed lecturing iill more convenient season.
'The devil he does! Well, In boundto have
fun somehow or mother. Can't you spout a
little, my young saPlin'l 'Spose you try it any.
how
MY friend, ir should preach, l would try TO
give you some uneasiness.'
Then, you are just the man for me. Git up
here, and give US a sprinkling OF birthstone;
stir up these old ironsdes on board give 'em an
extra lick, and come the campmeeting touch;
will YET Here's an old chap, here, who's got
hymn-book, and can sing first rate when get
going, if the lines are given out; and mind ye,
neighbor, give US a juan up prayer; blow and
strike out as loud as you can, and make 'em
think pack Of we'll grown prairie.wolveS are
coming with a smart handful Of thunder and
lightning, and few shovels Of young arlh-
quake. By the gracious Moses, we'll have a tri-
lle of sport then-won't WEI
| The gambler then helped the preacher to ar
range his sermon; borrowed the hymn-book
and sat down with a mock seriousness on his
countenance.
BY this time a crowd gathered round to wit
ness the proceedings, wondering what would be
the upshot Of the business. The preacher smo.
thered his face; selected hymn and lifted up
his eyes in an attitude Of prayer. Waxing war
mer and warmer as he proceeded, he appealed
to God in the most spirit-stirring and solemn
manner; he alluded 10 the gambler in a veiy
pointed manner, and prayed for his salvation
from the ruin, to which he was so recklessly
tending. Such was the force of his appeal that
abu rnin arrow seemed spe edily Sc nj 10 gtm.
bler's soul. The prayer was followed by an
excellent sermon by the young clergyman, who
afterwards said that he never felt more impress
sed in his life with the awful responsibility of
his mission, or felt fuller inspiration from on
High, to proclaim the wrath to come 10 dying
and hel-deserving sinners.
The gambler 'squirmed' under the gospel
truth; yet uneasy as he was, he contrved TO sit
the sermon out; but he couldn't wait to partici-
pate in singing the closing hymn.
Shortly after all was over, and going up to the
clergyman he said;
Il say my friend, you are preacher, amt
you?
Yes, my friend, have the honor to be the un-
worthy ambassador of Christ, and hope to be the
means Of converting many souls 10 God
'Well, | thought as much. But | tell you, |
never had the sand so knocked from under me
before in my life. If you preach in that way,
there won't be many Of us gamblers left, | tell
you, But suppose its all right; my good mo-
ther used to pray, and couldn't help thinking
Of her when you cut me all in little pieces, and
put my singing sides out of tune. I'd ha' give
fifty dollars to have that ere saddle put on ano
ther horse
suppose it is needless to say that the gam
bier required no farther preaching on that pas.
sage; his own conduct and that of his con(ede-
rates, was such as to be matter Of no anmad-
version on the part Of the clergymen and pas
sengers while they pursued their voyage.