The Rutland County herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1852-1855, 1853-07-22
The Family Circle.
Prom the Spirit Of the Times.
SOARING A CROWD.

Standing at Post office in one of
our Southern States, was introduced
to very respectable looking and intel
ligent Methodist clergyman, with whom
! entered into conversation.
He proved cheerful man, and the
discourse fell on the eccentricities of
preachers. ! owe the groundwork Of
the following nnecdote Of the celebra
ted Lorenzo Dow to this renconlre.
Dow was very exact in the appoint
ments he made, and sometimes arrang-
ed them long way ahead. He once
preached near one of the small towns of
Upper Georgia, and told his congrega-
tion, on that day year he would preach
TO them again The next season, on
Saturday afternoon preceding the Sab
bath of the appointed time, the old man
was jogging along the main road in the
direction Of his congregation.
He noticed before him a stout little
boy of peculiarly active step and man
ner who carried in his hand a small in
horn, such as are used to can people 90
their meals
The custom among many ,re Sluth
is to allow the marri r,.n 20 10 to
their wives houses, aad children to yis-
it their parents, On Saturday evening,
to stay with them on Sundays, and as
the negroes are musically inclined, they
carry fife or horn TO give notice of
their approach, and TO beguile the way.
In other cases, they whistle sing or
shout. A healthy cheerful negro, of
honest intentions, uses generally some
means Of association, even il he is oblig-
ed to talk TO himselfl
Dow, according to his usual manner,
entered into conversation with the boy,
and found he was about TO visit the con-
gregation he had appointed 10 meet.
II the truth must be told, Lorenzo
had an idea that the character OF his
flock was reckless, frolicsome, kind
careless people, upon whom il was nee
essary TO make very decided impress
sion, or his time would be thrown away
among them.
"what is your name, my lad;" ask
ed Dow.
" Gabriel, SIR" replied the boy, lift
ing new straw hat, and showing hi.
ivory, while he actively stepped along
to keep pace with the minister horse.
" Can you blow upon that born!'
"Oh, yes, master, | can toot little.
Well let me hear you"
So the negro inflated his velvet checks
and made the woods rcsound.
"Do you know tall pine near III,
stand at Sharon - said Dow.
Yes, that does, very well, master.
Lorenzo then pot his hand in hii
pocket, and pulling out silver dollar
showed IL TO the boy, and told him II b.
would climb into the pine tree befor
the people met a, the meeting, and keeI
qaiel there until the preacher called ou
his name, and blow loud oa his horn, a
he hsd usi done, he would give him III
silver dollar Il be would not tell anyb
about Il.
The negro expressed himself higll
delighted aiih such sn offer aud promii
ed punciualiiy ~ilh secrecy.
Oa the sAbbaih large meeting Al
semhled AT Sharon. 10 hear the famoo
b Lorenzo Dow. SersgBs old msn az
their ~iyes. Wild boys and their swee
hearts, almost all on horsebaek, son'
times By lwo's and threes besides ~
gnoes from a great distance CO foot b
ins readily oap,isHied by the natural
eooenirie. for they love any lhing thi
= has q laugh attached to il. and III,
knew I,orenEO was good for a JOKE, II 1
diA bin hard
Dos selected rather birthstone ten
and made The applications a. siroug
passlbls. bot be fornei his say slov
a snoag the tDccufiai besiihfui, honei
Lesr1s-a people, ~ho were bard 10 fligt
"a. lie enumen1ied ibe enoruity
:. he ,iccs be il.0sshl 70 pre- Al, bli tb'
..s. 81, t...A g.. fhsa. fEaf tfs ugfI