Daily American telegraph., 1852-03-05
The Preacher and the Robbers.

A Methodist preacher many years ago was
journeying to a village where he was to dis
pense the word of life, according to the usual
routine of his duty, and was stopped on his
way by three robbers One Of them seized his
bride reins, another presented pistol and de-
manded his money, the third was mere look.
! er on.
The grave and devout man looked each and
all of them in the face, and with great gravity
and seriousness said, "Friends did you pray
to God before you left home did you ask God
to bless you in your undertaking today"
The question startled them for moment.
Recovering themselves, one said, We have no
time to answer such questions, we want your
money"
"I am a poor preacher Of the gospel" was
the reply; "but what little money have shall
be given to you"
A few shillings was all he had to give.
Have you not watch?"
eyes"
"Well then give it to u.s.
| In taking the watch from his pocket, his sad
dle-bags were displayed
"What have you here?" was the question
again.
al cannot say have nothing in them but re-
| lgious books, because have a pair of shoes
and q change of linen also"
"We must have them"
The preacher dismounted The saddle-bags
were taken possession of, and no further demand
made. Instantly the preacher began to unbut.
ton his great coat, and to throw it off his shoul
ders ut the same time asking "will you have
my great coat?"
"No," was the reply; "you are generous
man, and we will not take it,"
He then addressed them as follows 81 have
yaI I'D
have given you more than you asked for. have
one favor to ask Of you"
"What is that?"
"That you kneel down and allow me to pray
to Almighty God in your behalf; to ask Him
to turn your hearts and put you in the right
way"
"Pll have nothing to with the mans thingsn
said the ringleader of them.
"Nor either" said another Of them
"Here, take your watch take your money,
take your saddle bags; if we have anything to
do with you, the judgment of God will over
take u.s."
So each article was returned That, how
ever, did not satisfy the sainted man. He urg-
ed prayer upon them He knelt down one of
the robbers knelt with him; one prayed, the
other wept, confessed his sin, and said it was
the first time in his life he had done such a
thing, and it should be the last. How far he
kept his word is known only to Him to whom
the darkness and light are equally alike; to
him whose eyelids try the children of men
BEHIND THE AaR.--We learn from the st. Au-
gustine "Ancient City" that but one merchant
there advertises his business in that paper, the
only paper in st. Augustine. We do not wonder
that the population Of the place is less now than
it was some years ago. Though reputed to be
the oldest town the continent, it is still small
and doing but little business, and it will continue
to groW smaller and do less business through the
next thousand years, should it exist so long, un-
less its people evince greater activity and spirit
in the pursuit of business. The subject OF con-
structng railroad across Florida, from the At
lantic side to the Gulf, is now agitated, but its
projectors cannot, assuredy expect any assist
ancc from the eateyYrisag merchants of St. Au-
gustine