Des Moines courier. ([Ottumwa] Iowa) 1848-1854, 1850-02-01

omnlpotence OF an uncOnquerable will.
"Why did not this western prodigy
achieve for himself more extensive re-
nown! Why did he not climb to the
lofticst stations in the church! If this
narrative be true, he ought before now
TO have been Il bishop, at the least"
The statement of few facts will solve
The problam. Let it be remembered
then, that the Methodis, Episcopal
Church is hierarchy, in which the dis
pensation of clerical hoaors rests exclu-
siveIy with the bishops and general con-
ference of itinerants where the laity and
local preachers are unrerresented, and
conse quently have no voice. Hence. in
that sect, popularity, eloIuence and other
snowy qualities, have never been (oand
sufficient passports to the pre-eminent
distinctions OF authority and Office, but
often TO the reverse. The bishops gown
must be won by steady, aastere devolion,
not by brilliant ofAtory or profound and
varied learning. n
On this perilous rock Peter Cart
wright's lofty vessel was shvered into
the atoms OF hopeless wreck. He
made no Pretensions TO superior saactity,
nor was it manifested in his conduct and
demeanor, whether in the pulpit or in
private life. Indeed he was distinguish
ed by one very unclericli peculafity--
combaliveness in the suparlltive degree.
His battles, though always apparently on
the defensive, were as numerous as those
of the celebrated Bowie. The only dill
ference lay IN this, that Bowie fought with
deadly weapons, while Cartwright used
but his enormous fist, which was as ellec-
tive, however, in the speedy settlement
OF belllgerent issues as any knife or pis-
tol ever forged out of steal. Let the
reader judge from the following ancc-
dote: ~.
At,he camp meeting held at Alton in
the autumn of 1893, the worshipers
were annoyed by set of desperadoes
from St. Louis, under the control of
Mlks Fink a notorious bully. the trium-
phant hero of countless fights. in none
OF which he had ever met an equal or
even secoad. These coarse, drunken
rullians carried it with high hand-out.
ragged the men and insuI.ed the women,
50 as 10 threaten the dissolution of all
pioas exercises; and vet such was the
terror the name of their leader Fink. in
spired, that not one individual could be
found brave enough to face his prowess.
At last, one day when Cartwright as
cended the pulpit to hold forth, the des,
pcradoes on the outskirts Of the eneamp-
ment raised yell SO deafening as 10 Ut
terly drown every other sound. Cart
wright's dark eyes shot lightning. lie
deposited his Bible, drew his coat, and
remarked aloud. .aa a.
"Wat a few minutes, my brethren,
while go and make the devil pray
lie then proceeded, with a smile on his
lips, to the focus OF the tumult, and ad-
dressed the chief bully:
"Mr Fink, have come to make you
pray" ...
The desperate raked back the tangled
festoons of his blood-red hair. arched
his huge brows with comical express
sion. and replied: "
"By golly, Id loike to see you do it,
old snorter!''
"Very well," said Cartwright; '.will
these gentlemen, your courteous friends,
agree not to show foul play!"
'.In course they will. They're rale
grit and wont do nuthin' but the clean
thing. so they won't rejoned Fink, in
dignanlly.
"Are you ready!" asked Cartwright.
"Ready as a race hoss with light RI
der" answered Fink, squafing his pom
derous person for the combat.
But the bully spoke too soon;. for
scarcely had the words left his lips when
Cartwright made prodiyious bound to-
wards his antagonist, and accompanied
ii with quick shooting punch of his
hercuiean fist, which fell crashing on the
others chin, and hurried him to The earth
like lead. Then even his intoxicated
comrades filled with Involuntary admi-
ration at the feat, gave cheer.
But Fink was up in moment, and
rushed upon his enemy, eXclaiming:
"That warn't done fair so it warn't.''
AIG ditHtu iWElUus aStTOkc. Wnlcn
Cartwright parried with his left hand.
and gFasping his throat with the right,
crushed him down as ii he had been an
infant. Fink struggled, squirmed and
writhcd in the dust, but all to no pur-
pose: for those strong muscular fingers
held his windpjPe as in the jaws of an
iron vice When he begaa to turn pur-
pie in the face, and ceased to resist, Cart
wright slackenad his hold and inquired:
"Will you pray now!'
81 dosen't know d--d word howl"
gasped Fink.
"Repeat after me-" commanded Cart
wright.
"Well, must" answered Fink ,sbe-
cause you're the devil"
The preacher then said over the Lord's $
prayer line by line, and the conquered
bully responded in the same way, when
the victor permitted him to rise. Al
this consummaton, the rowdies thunder-
ed three boisterous cheers. Fink shook
Cartwrighs's hand warmly, declaring:
"By golly,y you're some beans in bar
fight I'd rather set to with an old she"