Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1850-12-27
Jak.'s Experience.
BY p1xLEY pIeeLETRAP. Rs(

the vital air He was pleasant and agreeahle
being as the world ever SAW, and downfight queer
genius Jake was general favorlte OF both Oh ana
Young, in the yillage-not. an evening gatherhS
but what he had an invitation, and pleasant, so
agreeable to the ladies, that there was not one IN
town with whom he was general good terms ne
was the king at stories-he'd tell good one ana
crack the best Joke of the ring. that when we saw
him nnking round his quid little out OF the way,
(he was scientific chewer) then he was always look
inc out for rouser-one that would do the work OF
shaking the fat sides and clearing the cob WEBS clean
out of the brain. He didn't go way Hround by Rod
in Hoods barn. = either, and tell what the mans
grandfather said and did when he was boy; but he
came right to the :criterion point and then twas
all over-except the laughing which occupied about
half an hour.
Thus did the time go on with us at Puckerville,
until one Sunday, when we all to meeting, the
nreacber said there was to be proracted meeting
in the village and that it would begin the next day
Now this took all by surprise; for Jake who gen
orally got the news before it was fairly cold or any
of us had not heard word about it. But went
directly home, with determination to attack Aunt
Sarah (who was member of the church,) and
learn little of the matter. knew could do 1t by
using little soft soap" tickling her vanity by
speaking of her beauty in grlish days, (you know we
are compelled to speak of the beauty of old maids in
the past tense y and it happened just as had plan
ned. Aunt Sarah evaded my question about the
meeting so thinks to myself I'll hold on a while
and then assail her in another quarter So by and
| by spoke to her OF what L neafu my uncIt say
that at twenty she was considered by the beaux the
handsomest young ladyin the village. This took
like charm she swallowed it right down. and
Immediately her eyes frightened up, while laugh
ed-in my sleeves! Then poured another sentence
or two into her ears till she began to look as though
she she right side of thirty, and then men
toned something about the protracted meeting
La! yes, Pixley' said she, you spoke to me
about it before, and meant to have told you then,
but some how or other l forgot it, So she went
right on and gave me the whole riddle and found
that by the folks, the matter had been "cut and
dried' the saying Isl and thatn the first place all
means were to be employed to get Jake; and him
once fast they were pretty certain of obtaining about
all the young gentlemen and ladies in the village!
Had not Aunt Sarah told me must say nothing
about it, should have told Jake and put him on the
guard, and so he mil ht have weathered the storm;
but as it was, could only look out for myself which
did with fear and trembling Yes, with trembhng'
for in those by gone days, with me- getting religion
was but another name for getting misery! Then |
looked the gloom spread all over the countenances
of the meeting folks and supposed that it was the in
dex to the heart This have since found out was
mistake, and that canrot always judge the quail
ty of the egg by the looks of the shell.
Monday ten o'clock came and being invited by
Aunt Sarah, went with her to the meeting house.
and entered with heavy heart, which was rendered
no more joyful when looked at the chief speaker,
Elder Smashall-from distance Of course! Now
you may think this queer name. Well, be 1t So
he was queer man. The cognomen Of Smashall
not out OF place IN this instance IN the leS Tor
he was of gigantic frame, but rather thin in flesh
He stood full six feet three in his boots long swing
ing arms with fists at the end of them, that would
have answered for beetles, coarse features, and a
mouth my stars that would have sent a modern Jo-
nah right off into a fit When he stepped up into
pulpit and opened that mouth let me tell YOU the
big thunder stood back, and the old church Jared
and echoed again
The sermon was handed out to US with power, and
when out, thought that there was at least one who
wOu1 bn fOund thpra the future. Tuesday
morning the battle had been fairly set in array-all
Puckerville was up in arms, old men, young men,
and women too drabbling through the sop. fecking
to the meeting house, so there scarcely enough
left hume to do the cooking. III the evening" re
ports began to fly which proved my fears too true.
Jake had been there all day, and he awfully
troubled. One had heard him sigh-another had
tears upon his face and left the house that ght
with a heavy step; he'd surely be brought out
Wednesday came, and Jake not in the meet
ing but some had seen him, and he looked dread
fully solemn though he had buried his father lost
his purse, else obtained hope" [ could MT
stand it any longer, but determined forthwith to
make Jake visit. [ went to his boarding house,
knocked at his room, but all was silent l listened
at the key hole and thought heard sobs, | called
his name: but no answer,-':alas y thought |, as
left tie house. sspoor Jake, therell be par
ties in Puckervlle this year; and if this DON'T
smash all that ever heard of! Jake Fucker who'd
have thought !" But never mind, bad promise
they say is better broken than kept; so concluded
| would go to meeting that evening and see for my
self
The bell informed US of 1he hour of meeting it
sounded heavy, and with q measured step, went to-
wards the meeting house. and entered it, things look
ed melancholy. Jake was there, he looked solemn,
very, felt bad. The sermon came down that night
with ten fold power; there not dry eye in the
| house among the meeting folks. | mean. it q
stirring effort. After the Sermon the preacher said
that there opportunity for the moarners to
speak, my heart began to thump. Jake up, |
looked at him. he was sorrowful, drew long
breath, looked at him again, tear stood in his eye,
took out my handkerchief did not weep. but then
| could not plain things appeared dim. Jake
moved towards the altar the house still as
DEATH it was solemn moment. Jake turned round,
and with few sobs and sighs related the following
experience:
"My brethren, when notice given out for this
meeting to commence, laughed at the idea. getting
religion in a whirlwind, by steam; and when first
came here it with a superstition that it would
afford subject for sneering. But tell you. my
! brethren. have been troubled, awfuly troubled,
there is power in this meeting; and for | have
felt it, and in hopes that it may be ofseryice to some
unthnking people, will relate the manner in which
it done.
/ ':It was Tuesday evening, that I was first AVA
kened when we listened to the powerful sermon OF
Mr.. Smashal. 1t went to the bottom of my heart,
and awoke feelings that did not know were there.
On nv way home, [ resolved that | would not come
here again-for if did, was afraid that l would
have to give up my youthful pleasures and thought
it better to grieve away the spirit and enjoy these
little longer. That night retired at early hour,
but I was so much distressed, that it was long
time before could get to Sleep and when | did, |
dreamed the most dreadful dream that ever man
dreamed
/ Il thought that was taken violently sick, and
the doctors said there hope of my being bet
ter, and could live but few hours, and true it