True American. [volume] (Steubenville [Ohio]) 1855-1861, 1857-05-20
q 1 do not wish to drink-thank YOU sir!'


" l do not wish to drink-thank you sir!''
said the preacher. and commenced taking
Oft his overcoat, snow shoes and leggings.
" Mamma, looky here! !" said little
yellow haired girl, as she pointed at his
watch chain. ".What is it mamma Z"
L" He's got two pair shoes on one foot,
and two coats" !" exclaimed little boy.
"Come away. children !" said the moth
er. "The poor things never see anything
or any body out here in the woods, and they
are growing up like wolves"
The men at the table emptied the cup
which Alfred Walton had refused, and
continued their nefarious game. Their
stakes appeared to be acorns, most proba-
bly, because they had no money, and for
the want excitement, they made frequent
applications to the potent liquid in the
bottle. They seemed to be inclined to
proceed with their game, and to leave the
new!y-arrived to enjoy the fire. The wo-
man busted herself in preparing supper for
the traveller; but managed to keep up n
conversation with him, in which she soon
evinced curiosity to know who he was.
that some tell us, is a Characteristic of
Ewes daughters everywhere.
Alfred Walton hastily formed the con-
clusion. that-as he was among gamblers
and the profane, and could not avoid their
society for the night-it would perhaps, be
policy in him to lie low and keep dark, -
to pass for a traveller, merely, and not to
afford an idea that he was q circuit preach
er. The woman, however, had determin.
ed to know who he was.
-" Here, sir" said she, "pick up youl
seat, and sit by this shelf, and have some
supper. The others have been be or hunt.
ing, and had dinner late, and they may dc
without supper"
The preacher arose and seated himself as
she directed. She gave him some coffee
in tin cup, without sugar or cream-then
some corn bread just baked--some venison,
pretty well prepared and some wild honey
with which he made supper by no means
unpalatable.
While he was eating, she said:
"Spose you don't live in these parts 2"
"No ma'am, I'm stranger"
d" Pre-haps you are looking at the coun.
try!"
"Well, ma'am l see the country as
pass through, but that is not my business
care you buying lands?"
"No, ma'am, l do not buy lands"
:" Do you belong to this company of sur.
veyors!"
"No, ma'am, | do not know anything
about them"
"What is your name?"
"Alfred Walton, mo am"
81 used to know some Waltons in Kahn
lucky, when / was gal perhaps they
were your kim"
"l presume not, ma'am. I have no re.
lations there, that know Of"
The woman had not gratifed her curios-
ity, and sat mute for while, probably
wondering how she could ascertain what
was his business, in this new country
Just now she happened to call to mind that
some one had seen man at the mill few
days before, who was buying up all the pei
try he could find, and she jumped at the
conclusion that this young man was the
same.
You are buying deer SKINS" said she.
"No ma'am, am seeking the lost sheep
of the House of Israel !"
81 do say!" exclaimed she. "There
was wether here, day before yesterday
l dare say it was yourn."
She was satisfied. He was sheep-hunt'
ing. She began to look over her husbands
shoulder, and take some interest in the
game of cards, the meanwhile leaving oul
young sheep hunter to enjoy his thoughts
His thoughts soon ran thus -" / am pro-
fessed preacher of the Gospel. am sent
to call not the righteous, but sinners to re-
pentance. My commission is to all the
world-my message is to every creature
But tonight, / am by no means doing the
work of all evangelist. am ashamed Of
my calling, and have concealed my true
character! Who knows but Heaven has
guided my footsteps here, that l might
bear the message of life to these poor peo-
pie. 1t shall not be SO. Twill tell the
woman who and what am, and talk with
he seriously, of Death and Judgment Of
Salvation and Heaven!"
Have you any preaching in this coun.
try!" inquired Alfred Walton Of the wo.
man.
emo sir" replied she. "I haven
heard sarment since ! left Kaintuck
twelve year ago. They do say there's
preachin' at Mr.. McCap's, about twelve
miles from here but my old man never
goes to meetin'."