Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, Va. [W. Va.]) 1852-1859, 1854-07-10
a Young Robber Reolaimed.
mr. ALLEN NJ. scorr.

!. Many asreader whose eye may rest on these
llnes' and who first saw tfsweet Light i'll Ten
nessee or Kentucky. will remember the Rev. John
Craig This gentleman was OF the methodist per-
su1Sion, OF the original Asbury school, and he,
IKE most others of that denominations at The time
10 which we allude, was noted alike for his plain
ness of dress, and strict walk aud reproof of sin
in what form soever it made its appearance, and
under any and all circumstances.
MIR. Craig one OF the first preachers TO visit
the section.s called Middle Tennessee. now so
populous and powerful, but then (lS0D mere
wilderness He was an itenerant. HIS circuit
extended from Powells Valley, east of the noun
tains, 10 the extreme western settlements on the
Cumberland and Duck Rivers. The settlements
of the white men were slew and far between;p
no public roads had been established--tilose dis
tant neighborhoods were connected only by faint
traces, which were but seldom travelled.
Mr.. c. was exposed to many hardships. He lay
down on hard beds, slept in open cabins, ana
shared many scanty repasi. Bnt he was a man
of energy, aud his zeal never Jagged nor grew
weary. He felt the Importance of his mission, and
urged on by his zeal in his Masters cause, and
the good of souls, he waded SHOWS and floods
braved the fury of The winds, sutmounted all diff
culties, and carried the glad tidings of salvation
to the new settlers.
The writes was born in Middle Tennessee, and
although mere child when lie last Mr.. Craig
his image is as fresh i'll his mind as the events of
yesterday.
In 1880. Rev. Mr.. c. came. late one evening, to
my fathers, and passed The night at our house.
DuIlnS the evening, atter family prayers, had been
offered by him. before retiring to bed, he gave 10
my iathef, III my presence. an anecdote, which
was in substance, the following:
Many years before, Mr.. Craig was passing from
East Tennessee 10 the Duck river country. His
way led him nlong dim path through u mountain
pass, amid ctasgy rocks, near awful piecipices
Rno frghtful chasns. Suddenly young man
Sprang from huge rock, and with heavy rife
presented al Mr.. Craig, demanded his money.
Mr.. G. regarded the roLber with look ofpecu-
liar discrimination peculiar 10 himself, as he rem
ed up his horse and said, ''Young man, you have
never robbed before. What has brought you to
tts?" i.-a
The rolber again demanded his money, threat
ening instant death il the other did not comply.
Mr.. Craig answered, This is your first attempt.
Yon have bsen better raissdl Your lnother-'
Instantly the young man dashed down his gun
anu burst into tears, saying that indeed he hud been
taught better things. Aud he cried most bitterly.
Mr.. Craig tied his horse 10 limb, alighted and
invited the trembling youth TO be seated near him
on fiat rock. The young man instantly conpI-
ed, when Air. Craig, in uid ant engaging man
ner, asked how lie happened to become robher.
The other iod him that lie had been raised in
VITgInia-his parents were in easy circumstances
III life, and members of the Presbyterian church
that they had educated him religiously, and Law,
lshed on him all the affections characteristic OF
parental love. About eighteen months since. he
had married against their will, aud with his
young and beautiful wife, he hau made his way
INTO this new and unsettled country. His parents
had giver him no assistance, and having but little
on which 10. commence life, and falling sick, mad
well nigh starved. In the depth of his distress. he
had, as ailaSt alternative, resolved to make one
robbery, only one, aud afterwards live honestly.
Mr.. Craig, in the spirit OF love, poiaied out his
error He told mn he should have gone 10 his
Heavenly Father, and made knowIriis wants
that his tebder mercies over ali hrs works, land
none that trus: In him shall ever want. The
young man wuS all tearS--all peniience.
MIR. Craig aIuSe, went 10 his horse, and taking
off his saddle bags, sald-"l loo am poor. own
no loot OF land-no cottage in the wilderness IS
mine. have but thiry one dollars in The world,
and reserying one dollar only, in the name OF the
"Gtrer of all good,' present you with Thirty
dollars. Take lhIs little SUN. as one sent you
from Heaven, and God and his angels Witness
~ that you promise amendment in future.
Mr.. Craig then prayed with md for the astoniSh-
ed young man and took an afrectionale leave.
Thirty long years have elapsed. West Tonnes
see is wilderness more. The pale face had
telled the forest. The red man had quilted his
hunting grounds, aud they clituuered off inio
a thousand fuHowed fields. Mr.. Craig was now
an cid man. HIS locks were white us wool. his
children and grandchildren had grown up around
HIM, and children of his spiritual charge Surround-
ed lin like waving wheat-heads in the harvest
field.
One sunny eve in Autumn, as the old preacher
sat in the midst of the family group, 1t told
him that gentleman at the gate wished 10 speak
with him. He went out, and saw an elderly man,
neatly dressed, riding fine horse. The slranget
asked for accommodations Tor the night. This
being granted, he dlSlnounled, and with Mr. Craig
lac entered the house.
Little beyond the common civilIties OF lite PASS
ed between them, until supper had been served.
The elderly gentlemen asked Mr.. Craig 10 show
him private apartment, and when they were
alone, he said.
"Mr. Craig, think that you don't know me?"
al do not" replica Mr.. Crnig.
"And yet l tried 10 rob you. I am that same
poor, wicked wretch that demanded yonr money
with q rifle presented 4 thirty
ago, among the mountains"
ais it possible?" exclaimed the other.
yes" rejoined the first, Il am the same.
took The money you gave me home TO NY poor
starving wife, and told her how obtained it. We
counted it on wooden stool, aud kneit down aud
covenented with God and each other, TO live hon
estiyln his sight, and to walk uprightly before
Him. We have prospered. Want ha. long since
been stranger 10 us; riches have flowed in upon
u.s. and our children and children's children have
risen up around us, to call us blessed. We have
years ago become members of tue Church of Christ.
have long and ardently desired 10 find you, but
not knowing your name, knew not how TO make
inquiry. Last Sabbath, at the campmeeting when
you arose to preach, at once recognized IN you
:he man that had saved me from felun's fate.-
then learned your name, and now l have come to
pay You the thirty dollars with thirty years inter-
est
Cast thy bead upon the waters, and thou shalt
find il after many days.
Mr.. Craig added, that the name he had never
mentioned in connection with these circumstances
nor would he ever.
"But," he said, Ihave since visited them at their
own house, aud found them people OF respectable
ity, and refinement and piety, and son now
occupies high place both in Church and State.
----e~--.-----
THE VERY LATEST FUGrrrvE SLAVE CASE
About the inches affair OF The season we have
heard. is fugitive slave case, the particulars of
which have Just been related TO us. One Of ouI
old friends, rich farmer of Jefferson county, liy-
ing not than q dozen miles from CT
Of the best men and kitdest masters living, had
negro woman W hose conduct was such that he was
compelled to remove her from his house. He did
harn che