Plymouth banner. (Plymouth, Marshall County, Ind.) 1852-1855, 1854-03-23


Forgsron was a man of his word, as
the bruised features Of many of John
Wesley's disciples could testify. His
character oon e abroad, and the good
old matrons of the surrounding counties.
on each side of the mountain, trembled
at his name.
The preacher, whose circuit lay on Ell
ther side of the mountain, at the time
Ned's direful edict was promulgated 10
the world. was a meek and lowly man,
who approached in his natural DISPOSE
tion TO willing obedience TO the mandate
relative TO turning the cheek TO The smi-
ter. He inquired if there was no other
! place at which the mountain could be
passed, only TO know his doom more Ger
tainly. Being a timid man. but withal
dey otedly impressed with a sense of duty
he resolved to discharge his duties faith
fully. be the consequences what they
might. Like a lamb going to the slaugh-
ter did he wend his way toward the gap,
as he came 10 front of the shop. the black
smith was striking his last blow on a
shovel, and singing to the tune Of Clear
the Kitchen
"Old Georgia is a noble State,
Her laws are good and her people great"
On catching a glimpse of the poor par
son. who hatteIed himself that he was
about to pass with impuni,y. Ned sung
out--"Stop there. you eternal shad belly.
pay the penalty for my injured reputa-
ton"
The holy man protested innocence of
having intentionally injured him by word
or deed.
The mans subdued looks and earnest
voice had half dissuaded Ned from his
stern purpose, when the giggling of mis-
striker. and the cheering Of two or three
idlers, nerved him TO do what he felt was
mean. Let any one pause a moment and
reflect ifhe has ever been urged on to acts
his conscience smote him for, by the
opinions Of others, before Mr.. Forgeron
is sentenced as a devil. The preacher
received several boxes on his ears, and
heard many denunciations against his
sect. before he was permitted TO depart;
and when that permission was received,
he was not slow in a%vailing himself of
the privilege.
At the next annual conference. when
circuits were assigned to the dilferent
preachers. this one made his appearance
punctually. but, by some process Of cas-
uistry, convinced himself that his duty
did not call for a revelation of his suffer
ings. If he was too sensitive of the black
smiths character to expose it 10 rude re-
mark. or if he had any preference that
some other worthier brother should &C.
cupy that healthy station among the
mountains, is difficult to conjecture
But Forgeron's reputation had extended
beyond the circuit. and was done ample
justice 10 by others, who had heard of his
faMe. 1t soon became the subject Of an
mated conversation, and there was no
little wincing; each one feared it would
be his cruel fate TO be sent a victim TO
appease the wrath of this human non
ster against the Methodist church.
After a time, 1t was decreed that the
Rev. Mr.. Stubble worth was the doomed
individual, and when the annunciation
came, many an eye of mingled pity ard
curiosity was turned on his ruddy. good
natured face. 10 see how the dispensation
was borne, but not q muscle moved
With a quiet smile. he protested a perfect
willingness to go where he was sent. tie
was ..clay in the hands of the potter" he
said. If he piqued himself on a stolid
indifference to the blacksmith's pummel.
ing, or if he relied on his ample dimen-
sions to protect himself. he never dis
closed it. but seemed as self-satisfed and
contented as ever. His predecessor look
ed for all the world like a mous just es.
capped from the fangs Of some terrible
grimalkin.
Mr.. Stubbleworth arranged his few sub
lunary affairs, and bidding his friends
adieu, mounted his old roam and depart
ed for his new home of trials with a song
of praise on his lips. Let US hope the
best for him.
The Rev. Mr.. Stubbleworth was very
much pleased with his new situation.-
Having been transferred from a level pine
woods country. near the confines of Flor
ida. the novelty Of the mountain scenery
and a pure bracing atmosphere. seemed
to inspire him with new life. Compli-
men,ing all the mothers on the singular
beauty and intelligence of their children.
with a delicate a~llusion to their own per
sonal appearance, he soon became a gen.
eral favorite. Mr.. Stubbleworth "knew
which side Of his bread the butter was
on"
The time arriving for his departure to
visit the tramontane portion Of his pas
toral care. he was warned of the dangers
he was to encounter, but they were with
the same placid smile. The worthy la
dies pictured to him ''chimeras dire, suf-
fcient to have abated the zeal of any 9TH
er individual. But the gentleman quiet
ed their fears by appealing to the power
that ''tempers the wind to the shorn
lamb" with a countenance as lamb-like
as could be imagined. And he departed
singing
'At home or abroad, on the land, on the sea,
As thy wants may command, shall thy strength
ever be-"
They watched him until his portfy per-
son grew dim in the distance. and turned
away. signing. that such a good man
should fall into the hanls Of that mon
ster. the blacksmith.