Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1854-07-25
A Ca1d:. :.'aAe fn- ,"embe-chip.
BY A. JACK, ESQ.


sOld Steve or slying Stevens as he wa
familiarly called, by virtue of strong origina
genius aud an ind .fatigable perseverance ant
apple ition, had acquired the reputation O
being the greatest Har that ever existed in the
State of -. Whenever he made his appea
renee, therefore, at muster OF training, he was
sure to be surrounded by host of eager list
ners. He greatly excelled the renowned Nun.
chausen, who simply told extravigant stories
and sometimes blundered on he truth. Steve
on the other hand, never told word of truth,
even by mistlke, in his life, and lied circum-
stancially and in evry particular. In short
time it cIme to him natural as eating and
drinking, or rather ss be ithing; for he had not
only lied to listners, but even when he had no
other person to talk TO, he would tell lies TO
himself. just to keep his hand in. This fact
was ascertained beyond any doubt by his de-
nying it in the most solemn manner when some
body accused him of the practice.
1t WIS Nj. Stevens misfortune, at one time,
to lose good deal of money on a horse race.
This made him feel uaeOmmOuly serious, SO
he Went TO camp meeting, which was held a.
he could not make up a little by shaking prop
with the boys. They happened however to be
too much for him that time, and he was com
pletely cleared ou'. This made him il posi-
be feel more serious than ever. and as there
happened to be powerful preacher there, who
could make himself head at the distance of a
mile, ne thought he would turn over a new
leaf at once. When he got home, therefore,
the first thing he did was to send for the min
lister. The worthy man cime, and to his ex-
treme amazement, found that Stevens wanted
TO join the Church.
Il have no hesitation in laying your propo-
sition before the brethern.' said the old man
trying to smother laugh.
sOf course you haint,' responded Steve,
with great confidence.
sAnd if you give satisfactory evidence of a.
mendment, Mr.. Stevens continued the min
lister, emphasizing the word, sthey might take
you on probation, at any rate, we have a NEE
ting tonight, and I'm let YOU know to-mor-
row.
probation be d-dogged ? calculated Steve,
rs th, minister hastily retr, l; swhy cunt
they let M join at once while feel like it n
Tt, proposition, as might hive been ex-
pected, created q real sensation. There was
hardly amember Of the church, male or female
who had not, some time other, been vic
tinlizei by Steve's slanderous tongue, and they
could hardly bear his name with patience
Some ofthem went so far as to say that if he
Joined, they would leave, and that settled the
m alter, for they were among the 'forehanded
member who could afford to speak out, be-
cause the church could not afford to loose
them.
However, to avoid any trouble with an un
scrupuous fellow like Steve, ii was resolved
to break the matter to him as gently as possi-
BILE. Two Of the mJst respectable men in the
church We're appointed to call upou him ,and it
was generally und derstood that such was their
known mil n-ss of disposition tait evrey pos
sible excuse consistent with truth would be
made for not receiving him.
The rest of the story must be told in Steve's
own words.
when old Deaken Peabody came along, ]
sot in the bac, door within hoehandle, and
I hope to suffer if wasn't mad enough to rare
right up. A cousin OF my wifes, whose sister |
was a member, had come over airly and told /
us all about it,
sGood mornin', Mr.. Stevens says the old |
hypocrite, with fIce as long yard OF /
pump-water.
Il said nothin', but kept on within.
Il came down to see you this morning. says
he.
Well, says how do you like my looks y
sOh,' says he, swhat 1 mean is, that / came
down to labour with you.'
work away, then, why don't you?' was all
that he got out o'me.
sBut, Ir. Stevens said he, very solemnly,
the church sent me down here to talk with I