The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1854-10-27
BY A. JAX, ESQ.

miiiariy termed by virtue Of a strong original ge
Mus and interchangeable perseverance aud apPllca.
ton, had acquired The reputation OF being the
greatest liar that existed in the State OF --.
Whenever he made his appearance. therefore, at
muster or training, he was sure to be surrounded
by host of eager listeners. He greatly exceiled
the renowned Munchausen who simply told ex-
travagant stories and sometimes blundered on the
truth. Steve, the other hand, never told
word Of truth even by mistake in all his life, and
lied trcumstantaly, and 10 every particular In
short it came to him as natural as eating and
drinking, or rather as breathing, for he not only
lied to listeners but even when he had no other
person TO talk to, he would tell lies 10 himself,
Just to keep his hand in: This fact was ascer.
tanned beyond doubt by his denying i:-iu the
most solemn manner when somebody accused
him of the practice.
1t was Nj. Stephens good misfortune one time
to lose great deal Of money on a horse.race
This made him feel uncommonly serious, so he
went a acamp.meeling, which was held about
five miles rom his residence, to if he could
make up a IIttIe by "shaking props" with the
boys. They happened, however, TO be too much
for him that time, and he completely cleaned
out. This made our friend feel if possible more
serious than ever, and, there happened to be
powerful preacher there, who could make himself
heard at the distance of mile, he thought he
would turn over new leaf at once When he
got home, therefore, the first thing he did was to
send for the minister. The worthy man came
and to his amazement found that Stephens wanied
10 join the church.
Il have no hesitation in laying your proposition
before the brerhren,' said the good old man, trying
to smother laugh. :-.=
'Ot course you haint,' responded Steve, with
great confidence. .,~~
And if you could give satisfactory evidence Of
the a:nen endment, Mr.. Stephens continued the mi
nis:er, emphasizing the word they might take
you on probation at any rate, we have meetlng
to night and can let you know to. morrow
Probation be d--dogged ! calculated Steve
as the minister hastily retreated 'whv can't they
let me jne at once, while | feel like it?'
The proposItion, mi ght have been expected,
created real sensation. There was hardly a
member of the church. male or female, who had
not at some time other, been victimized by
Stephens slanderous tongue and they could hard
iy hear his name with patience. Some of them
went so far to say that If he joined they would
leave, and that settled the matter, for they were
among The fore. handed members who could not
afford 10 lose them. However to avoid any trou.
BILE with an inscriptions fellow like Steve, it was
resolved TO hreak the mailer to him as easily as
possible. Two oil the most respectable men OF
the church were appoint TO call on him, and it
was generally understood. such was their known
mildncss of disposition, that every possible ex.
cuse consistent with truth would be made Tor not
receiving him. - -.. .-~..-
The rest of the story must be told in Steve's
own words.
When old Deacon Peabody came along sol
in the back door with hoe. handle, and hope TO
suffer if wasn't mad enough to rare right up. A
cousin Of my wile's. whose sister was a member,
had come over and told US all about it, ',z
Good mornin, Mr.. Stephens said the old by.
as ard of
water. --- - r
said nothing, but kept on whiting. --
81 came down TO see you this morning.. says he.
Wal, says |, how do you like my looks 2
%, says be, $" hat mean is, that came down
TO labor with you ... .-.... ...s-
Work away~then, why don't you7' was all he
got out of me.
But Mr. Stephens said he very solemnly. 'the
church sent me down to talk with you a minute.'
Wal. you've bin talklu Tor more than five mi.
nuies, Deacon Peabody, says |, and you've said
aothln yet; now when are you goin 10 begin?'
The old lsraelite looked mad enough to bite my
head off at snap, but he thought it best to keep
cool, SO he drew long breath and went on
Nobody wants to hurt your feelings, or make
any trouble, Mr.. Stephens, but the church have
come to the conclusion that perhaps on the whole,
under the circumstances, and in view Of every.
thing, it might be best all round, and taking all
things into consideration, for you not to be hasty
IN applying Jist at present. They think on mature
reflection, that ii night be as well if you'd con.
clude to postpone il little while, say for year
or eighteen months --
They deaO? Wal, now, Deacon. what makes
EN- think so I! The church aiu't full, is it 2 -.
This was bard question: The old sarpint
knew very well that it wouldn't answer for him TO
say he didn't know-for he knew Iast enough
and knew that knew he did. So says he:
'Mr. Stephens, Pm sorry you're riied about
1t you've no occasion, I~tlfdn't come to offend
you Know as we'll as do why the church don't
accept you e.
If knew, l wouIdn' ask you to tell me, Dea.
con Peabody
Well says he, .don't you know what arget
storaes you're inthe habit Of telling?' =
Who says / tell large stories7' says ], sits an
ontruth and you can't prove it amt. Now, ain'i
1t shame for man like you go round scan
dalIzIng a neighbor that way? What story OF
mine did you ever hear that wasn't true? Come, !
lay your finger on the first story and WON'T say |
another word 80
Why, there's So many on 'em, answered the T
Deacon, that 1t is almost impossible to specify |
any one in particular. But now~I think ont
1on't you remember hat story you told about your
aiher being killed by bear T, ~
My father beng killed by bearf says I !;
there it is now That's just the way folks lie
bout mel lis an onruih, like the rest on EN-,
md you ought 10 be ashamed. Deacon Peabody.
o be running round teln' ihings that ain't so'
Wei, said he, pretty short, 'ytju made that ere