The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1852-03-03
From the Cincinnati Commercial.
THE VILLAGE PREACHER.
CHAPTER /.
BY TIDBALL.

IT WAS midsummer and near the close
ofahs day. This rays of the sun no longer
reached the deep ravins where was stroll
ingaaYet, they fingered among the tall
irse-tops, ,dsnding to the dark green foliage
golden hue. liThs birds were singing
insrrily IS they hoped from branch to
branch. and the little insects we're chirping
!, III shs grass beneath my feet. Il was an
Funfrsqusnted place. and | paused to hear
the dsmusic, and to behold the pictures
, uescenery, needless Of all'but the beau.
tytand theeharmony that surrounded me-
Strange conceptions filled my soul, and
my thoughts grew rspid and confused like
thssfancieseof troubled dream.
Presently the loud tones Of human
voice, borne on the air wings OF ths zephyrs
,hatlgently played among the leaves and
flowers. reused me again to conscious
nsss, and fastening over the loose gray
stones that lay inmy path | suddenly stood
inthsi presence of young man who was
speaking from rock at the head of the
ravins. There was something in the will
derness around that impaired the power
Of q charm to his words. for they were full
Of stirring sound. and strangely fascinat-
ing.9 As a trusting maiden listens to ths
@avowal sof her lover. so listened | to his
eioqusnce.
81 But there is an end to every joy. And
when the young man was done speaking,
he darted down the ravine; leaping from
rock TO rock like the mountain goat; and
90 rapid. was his coming that only few
PAGES lay between us when | was observ-
sd. He was surprised to meet stranger
whore he had never before met human
being 2 and he stopped short in his descent,
turned his eyes to the steep on eitherhand
ss he would escape some other way.
I advanced towards him, and stannered
soTiisthing to excuse my intrusion OH his
privacy. He saw no cause OF alarm in
my embarrassment and extended his hand,
sssured me he did not regret the accident
that gave him new acquaintance.
sdI should have praised his eloquence, but
No forbidrme .'That you heard" said
hs, twas aplain Sermon" and not at all
worthyof sulogy. ~
90 essiigEiQ9
abiyo4q d K CHAPTER II. .1
90 Scarcely has three days elapsed since
my arrival in the village. yet during that
brief space Il had heard frequent mention
offanssloqu young divine, who chose
% c,dwsll among the mountains Through
hia exertions a house had been erected and
slSdicsted to the living God, and another
wsS building for the academicians, whom
hS daily instructed in the higher branches
Or useful education as solicitous for their
siccess as their mothers for their welfare.
had q great desire to see man that
vas beloved by old and young, and even
Nv thoss who dsspised his teachings; and
oh! what I pleasure was mine, thus to
,fieSt himgin the wild mountains! We de.
scsndsd the ravine together. talking and
tslIin9 tbs events Of our lives with the
freedom of long acquaintance.
-o7Sorna Of the villagers saw US returning,
arm in arm, and straiehtway it was told
AID believed that we had long before
known and loved each other. S'.ta
ssBut noticed an intimacy that seldom
comes Of SO short an acquaintancs, con-
tnGsd the gray.beard. ... .g..,3s''
aa11SSksd stsadfastly in his face for afew
i}hon1drits, 10 divine bis meaning; butfths
.2xbfs,si6h thers was simply wonder 2 G
"a Fhus 1 answered -"hiy home i sifar
from hera in one direction, my goat isiar-
.tbsffh another, and your village lies bs.