Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1856-03-08

times see wheat Win ruund plump kefucl5,
and when you come TO weigh il, its on
ly iorty-fve pounds You know there is
something the matter with the wheat. You take
a grain of II between your thumb and finger,
aud squeeze ii---and out pops a wevil. Now,
some Of you good looking Christians only
weigh fony-dye pounds TO the bushel instead Of
sixty-iour as you ought. Squeeze you between
the thumb Of the Law aud the Gager Of the
Gospel, aud out will pop whisky-bo,ile and
q woOlly head
And now, said the lecturer, there, is an old
friend Of mine, now living 10 Illinois, my FIST
Presiding Elder, Peter Cartwright, of whom
! must relate an anecdoie which illustrates sew
eral peculiarities of the class 10 which he be-
longe6, and Of some oithcir experiences among
the rude border people.
When the state Of Illinois was admitted in
TO the Union, it was as free state Not long
aiier, the question was largely discussed wheih-
er the constitution Of the state should not be
so amended as to permit slavery. Cartwright,
who then resided in Tennessee, was strong
opponent OF slavery, and determined to remove
to Illinois to take part in the setilemen, Of the
question. So he was appointed Presiding
Elder over district about as large as Erg-
land. lie kept his appointments, and aiter
preaching on Sunday was wont to announce on
Monday that he wonld deliver a slump speech
lie soon became regarded as a politician, and
no lillle aogcr was excited against him. One
day coming to ferry across tho river, where
he was not personally known, he heard the fer
ryman holding forth TO a crowd in bitter terms
against that old renegade, prelxins sundry EN-
phaiic expleiives to that 1auering lerm-Pete
Cartwright, declaring that he would drown
him il he ever came that way. Afier while
Peter engaged the ferryman 10 put him over.
They were alone in the boat and when they
had reached the &C ller Of The stream. in full
sight of the shore, the preacher, throwing the
Bride Of his horse over post, ordered the fer
ryman 10 put down his pole.
What is the matter = asked the ferryman.
you have just been making free with my
name. and threatening 10 drown me in the riy-
CT. want to give you chance to do so'
'Yoa are Pete Cartwright, are youi'
My name is Peter Cartwright replied The
preacher.
The ferryman, nothing loaih, laid down his
pole, and the contest began. Tue preacher
proved the better man, and scizing his aniagon-
isi by the nape Of the neck and the seat Of his
neither garments. plunged him three times IN
der the water, with the words, Il bap,ize thee
in the name Of the Devil, whose child thou
art, Then holding his head cot Of the wa
tel, he asked,
did you ever prayV
NO. was the reply.
Then it is time you should. will teach
You. DO yon repea, afer me, Our Father
who art in Heaven
The feryman refused and down went his
head under waller, and there il was held long
enough, as Peter thought. to conquer his reluc-
lance lie raised hirn up, and repeated hi.
demand
Let me breathe Rasped the ferryman.-
Give me few minutes to think about IT,
Not moment And under went his head
again.
The inquiry was again put, when the ferry
mans head was next raised, WIN you pray
sogs .
Yes, III do anything and the fellow obe.
dienlly repeated the Lords Prayer, after lhc
dletaiion of Cartwright. Nov let me up he
added
No, not yet replied the iuexoiable Peter
you must make me three promises before
let you up First, you must promise TO pra,
every nigh, and morning as long as you live
then yon must promise to put every Methodist
preacher who comes along over the river fol
nothing; aud, lastly, you must promise here
aller TO attend every meeting of the Methodist
held within four miles Of you.
The whole transaction took place in fol
view of the ferryman's comrades on the shore
but the intervening river insured fair play,
and the ferryman felt himself in Cartwright I
hands. lie promised faithfully to do all iha
was demanded Of him. The transit across ih'
river was finished the preacher went on hi
way; the ferryman kept his word, and in III,
course Of time was converted, and became
shining light in the church.