Eaton Democrat. [volume] (Eaton, Ohio) 1843-1856, 1855-03-15
An Incident ia the lie ofa rras. DissriSutsrl


Cincinnati generally, and the wharf in par
.ticular, relates the following incident which
on board a steamboat
.ln.company with a country friend Who was
anxious to see the Steamboats,, went aboard
the -, and as usual, commenced dislrlo-
uting some religious Tracts. While thus en-
goged, a rough looking customer stepped ups
and asked me what I was doing. replied,
al am distributing Tracts"
"Tracks," said he "phdt's tracks I"
answered, "ihey are religious pamphlets"
"Well now, Mister" said he, al don't be-
.lieve in religion, and you shant give any more
of your tracks, on this Boat"
"What right have you to interrupt me in
the discharge Ofmy duty,"I asked.
"Why," said he, al have paid my passage
on this Boat, and you have not"
/ replied, al have permission from the Cap
tain to distribute Tracts on board this Boat
and you have no right to interfere with me-"
Our conversation hadcollected q large crowd
who were eager to see. the d~enouememt.--
Among them, l co uld only see one who ap-
peared to be on my side. He was a tall raw
boned, lathy. looking Yankee, who seemed to
be very much excited.
"Now," said my bellacouse friend, "Pll
tell you what it is. II you give another OF
your tracks to any Of this crowd, Fll put you
overheard" "And PHI" said a little sallow
complexioned man, "I'll help you
Here was a dilemma. must either retreat
and be insulted hereafter, by every drunken
rowdy, or l must discharge my duty. said
after a moments reflection, "That is a two
handed game"
"No," said opponent No. 1, "It is a three
handed game, there is two Of US, and Ony one
of you, and | hope l may 60 to hill, if
don't give you 10 the fishes, If you give another
Of your books to any one on board this boat"
then determined | would proceed at all
hazards. l laid my bundle Of Tracts on q bar
rel Of Pork, and Invested myself of my large
over-coat. As l did this, some one said to the
little man, "you had better let that fellow
alone, look at his broad shoulders, he'll
thrash the life out OF you, if he gets hole OF
you"
The little man seemed to think there might
be some truth in the advice given, and he left
The ring, concluding that he would only be a
spectator. picked up my bundle Of Tracts,
and turning 10 my adversary said =
"My friend, l am here to discharge a duty
imposed upon me by the Church, and / wiH
do il, at all hazards. l am q man of peace,
but if am compelled TO it, I will resist your
efforts 10 put me overheard. l shall not in
terfere with you, but if you lay the weight OF
your hand upon me, l tell you now, in pres
ence Of this crowd, it will be the last time you
will ever interfere with a Tract Distributor"
My yankee friend, unable to contain him
self, screamed at the top Of his voice, "Go il
Captiug, yeou've got the speunk |"
now felt that there was one present who
would render me assistance if needed. ]
commenced, distributing my Tracts, keeping
my eye upon my man, he following me and
swearing at q furious rate. l kept on, until
had given a Tract to every man, woman ant
child who would receive one. Then turning
to the man | said:
az have now discharged my duty, and be.
fore leave, I want 10 tell you what l think
of you. You have abused and insulted mt
without cause. You even threatened my life
you thought to Tighten me-you were mis-
taken in your man. You swore you would
put me overboard-you did not attempt it
you were afraid. You are a copard! YOU
swore you would throw me to the fishes YOU
did not do it-gou lied, and now you stan,
convicted, before this crowd, who witnesse,
your insulting conduct, as q liar and a copard
"Put him hreu :" eco it strong p erie,
my yankee friend, in a phrenzy of delight.
"Now, sir" l continued, al am going t
punish you for your meanness," and ~selectin
from my bundle, 1.-THE Swearer's Prayer"
said to him, CHOW you must get up on tina
box and read this Tract to the crowd !"
BY this time "the tables were turned" il
my favor, and my yankee friend was in a per
feet ecstacy, and yelled at the highest pitch
eco it Gaping p ''Put him thrue |" You'v
got the speunk
His air Of boldness and audacity had b
this time forsaken him, and he cast a pleadin
look towards me-, as much as to say, let u
drop The matter! But / had resolved 10 in
fict punishment on him that he should nc
soon forget. \ | again reiterated the comman
to mount the box and m his penance
He tried 10 make a show Of courage, and said
but in rather a subdued tone,
II Won't do Ut"
/ said TO him, al told you I would distribut
my Tracts, and | have kept my word. Now
| tell you plainly, if you don't mount thatbo
and read this Tract, l will thrash the deck
the boat with you! Step up to tho box
Imove-walk
"Jere wsalem p "Put him threu," sal
the yankee.
My man started for the box amid the laugh
ter of the crowd.
"Now," said I, "get up" but with tn
word, he cleared the box at bound, and star