Jeffersonian Republican. [volume] (Stroudsburg, Pa.) 1840-1853, 1849-03-15
From the Knickerbocker.
The Preacher and the Gam bier.
A SCENE ON BOARD OF SOUTHWESTERN

BY J. H. GREEN, r. G.


Persons of these two an'agonis,ic portions
Of society are frequently thrown into intimate
fellowship and association with each other, es.
pecially while travelling on the steamers OF the
southern aud western waters.
Some years since number Of gamblers, with
two OF three clcrgymcn, happened 10 be among
TO passengers on hoard of steamboat bound
from Cincinnati to New Orleans. The compa-
ny on board was numerous but as something
uncommon and extraordinary from whatever
cause, extra morality or Otherwise. there was
lille or no gambling praclsed by The passen-
gers on the uIp downward.
Several days passed in this way, when a
gambler. wild. reckless, daredevil sort of a
character, began TO grow impatient of the lidl-
nm OF The voyage, and anxious for chance of
making hlspassage money by viciiminlng some
oil The "green ones" IN the crowd. Going up
to one of The clergymen alluded to whom he
was not aware was of that profession, smooth
faced, good hooking, afiable, youngish man he
slapped him on the back, and some W hat famil-
iarly accos,ed him:
Say stranger dull music board, | reckon.
Come take drink, and let's have liule life
'mongst US :"
"Thauk you, my friend, I'm ,eeoaler, and
never drink"
"O-o-h! you are, eh! Let's have hand at
cards. them
There Pm again a, fault. dom, know one
card from another, and can. play !"
"Scissors II never see the like! Here,
young man. let me show you how"
I'D rather not, Sir, if you please"
s'Brimstone-b -blaZes !-can'l we get up some
li,,le Bit Of deviltry or mother I'm sick on'l
pokn' round 10 this ere way Wonder if we
can. get some 'old hoss' 10 give us preach
That coon over here with white 'neckerchef,
looks like one Of 'hem gospel-shop men 'Spose
we AK him To give US a sarmon I'd like 10
hear one. by jingo!
THAT gentleman, Sir, presume 10 be a
preacher; and IFS quite likely he'll accommo-
date you"
''You knows him, don't you7 just gel him
to give Us snoring sarminl. pll hold his hat,
d--d if | don't!'
81 will ask him." replied The clergyman
He crossed over TO his friend of the white cra-
vat, aud stated the wish of the gambler. Re-
turning. however he remarked rha, The preach
er declined lecturlng ill more convenient
season.
"rhe devil he does! Well I'm bound to
have fun somehow or mother. CAM you spout
a biz. my young sapling "Spose you Try ii
any how"
MY friend if / should preach, should Try
to give you some uneasiness J"
Then you are just the man for me. Gel
up here and give Us a sparkling of birthstone !;
stir up these old Ironsides on board, give 'em
an extra lick. and come he campmeelin' touch,
will ye! Here's an old chap here who's gor
a hymn book, and can sing fsr, rate when
gel going, if the lines are given out and
mind ye, neighbor, give us jam up prayer;
blow and strike out as loud as ye can and make
EN- ,hlnk pack of weil-grown prairie wolves
are coming, with smart handful of thunder
and lighnin' and few shovels of young earh-
quake by the gracious Moses, we'll have
rifle o. sport ,hen-wOnt we Z"
The gambler then helped The preacher TO ar
range for the sermon borrowed the hymn
book, and sa, down with mock seriousness
in his cOunlenance.
By ,h,s time crowd had gathered round TO
witness the proceedings, wondering what would
be The upshol of The business. The preacher
smoolhed his face, selected hymn, and then
lifted up his hands and eyes in The alliiude OF
prayer Waxing warmer and warmer as he
proceed, he appealed TO COP in the most spirit
'llTrlng and solemn manner he alluded TO the
gambler in very pointed manner, and. prayed
or his salvation from the ruin 10 which he was
30 reckIessly tending. Such was the force of
lis appeal that burning arrow seemed spec
lily sent 10 The gamblers soul The prayer
was followed by an excellent sermon by the
young clergyman, who afterwards said thar he
,ever fel. more impressed IN his life with The
lwfuI responsibility of his mission, or felt ful-
er inspiration from on High TO proclaim the
wrath 10 come TO dying and hell deserving sin
lers.
The gambler 'squirmei under The gospel
ruth; yet uneasy as he was, he contrlved 10
il the sermon out; but he couldn'l walt 10 par. |
icipa,e in singing The closing hymn.
Shortly after all was over and going Up o |
he clergyman. he said:
II say, friend. you preacher, amt yon :"
"Yes, my friend, have the homer 10 be an
unworthy ambassador OF Christ, and hope to he
he means of con, er,lng many souls TO God"