The Columbia Democrat. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1837-1850, 1849-11-24

Fine afternoon, Mr.. Ellis said Martin,
as the man stopped.
Very fine. How are you allr
Quite well. Any news stirringp
why no, not much. Only they say
that the Methodists about here have all
joined the AmaIgamation Society,"
who says sO?" enquired Martin, slight
ly coloring.
We'll they say it down our way: | thought it
was only joke at first. But little while after
dihher Aunt Nancy's Tom came over to my house
lor some oats and hay for your minister's horse
he said the preachers were going to stop at the
old woman's after this | half doubted the ras-
cal's story, though let him have the proyender.
Sure enough, as ! came along just now, who
should | see but the preacher, sitting before the
door of old Nancys log hut, as much at home as
II his skin were the color of ebony. These are
rather queer doings, friend Martin don't know
what the foks'll say
We will not pause to describe the asonShment
and confusion of Martin on learning this, but
slept down to Aunt Nancy's, where MIR. Odell,
after dining on pork and hOminy, with the addi-
ton of potatoes and corn bread, was sitting in the
shade, before the log cabin Of the old negro. The
latter was busy as bee inside, in the preparation
of something for the preachers supper, that she
thought would be more suited to his mode Of lly-
ing and appetite, than pork, corn bread, and
hominy.
Mr.. Odell was rather more inclined to feel a.
mused than annoyed at his new position. Aunt
Nancy's dinner had tasted very good; and had
been sweetened rather than spoiled by the old
creatures loquacious kindness, and olicious con-
cern, lest what she had to set before him would
not be relished While he thus sat musing-the
subject Of his thoughts is of no particular conse-
quence to be known-his attention was arrested
by hearing Aunt Nancy eXclalm-
'Kie Here comes Massa Martini
The preacher turned his head, and saw man
approaching with the decided aud rather quick
step OF one who had sometime on his mind.
is that brother Martin " asked Mr., Odell, cal
ling to Aunt Nancy, who was near the window
of her hut.
yes, please goodness! Wonder what he's
comm here bout"
'We'll soon see,' returned the preacher, COM
posing himself in his chair
In few minutes, the farmer, looking sadly
'Ausered,' arrived at the door of the old negro's
humble abode. Mr., Odell kept his seat with
an air of eutire self. li.possession and uncon-
cern, and looked at the new conner as he would
have done at any other stranger.
Mr.. Odell, the new preacher on this circuit =
said Martin, in respectable manner, as he ad-
vanced towards tAe minister.
yes, sir replied Odell, without rising oreyin-
cling any surprize at the question.
Il am very sorry, indeed, sir very sorry,' be-
gan Martin, in a deprecatng tone of voice, that
you should have been so badly neglected as you
were to-day. had no ideal never once thought
the preachers have always stayed a; sister Rus
sells took it for granted that you were there
To think that you should not have been invited
home by any one, am mortified to DEATH
oh, no. responded the preacher, smiling, tits
not quite so bad as that, Our good old sister
here, very kindly rendered me the hospitaliriesof of
her humble home, which accepted glateuly-
No one could be kinder tome than she has been
come
'But-but," stammered forth Martin, this is no
place for preacher to stay
"A far better place than my Lord and Master
had. The foreS hare holes, and the birds 0fMe
air hare nests, Jm the Son Of Man hath not
where to lay his head. The servant rust not
seek to be greater than his lord
'But my dear sir, my home is far more suit.
able and congenial home for YOU urged the dis
tressed brother Martin. "You must 90 there
with me at once My wife is terribly hurt about
the matter. She would have come over for you
herself, but she is not very we'll to day.
Tell the good sister, replied Odell ,afsctngnOt
to know the individual before him, that am SO
comfortable here, that | cannot think of changing
my quarters, besides, after Aunt Nancy has been 50
kind as to invite Inc 10 her home, and provide for
both me and my horse when no one else took the
least notice of me, nor seemed to care whether |
got the shelter of a roof or mouthful of food, i,
would not be right for me to turn away from her
because more comfortable place offered
1t was in vain that Martin argued and persuad-
ed. The preachers mind was made up to stay
where he was. And he did stay with Aunt Nan
cy until the next morning, when, after praying
with the old lady, and giving her his blessing, he
started on his journey.
When, at the end of four weeks, Mr.. Odell a
gain appeared at the little meeting house, you
NAV be sure he was received with marked attenr
tion. Martin was the most forward of ALL and
after preaching and class meeting-there was a
pretty full attendance at both-toOk the minister
home with him. Ever since that time the preach.
crs have been entertained at his house,