Mariposa Democrat., 1857-04-08

code Of laws. All went happily along until
ono day news was brought us Of the illness of
a dear friend some forty miles up the country,
and it was decided that it was too dangerous
to pass through the city while the fever was
raging; therefore was ordered to mount my
hunting pony, and accompanied by faithful
darkey named Abraham, on fine sorrel PAGER,
away we started for the residence Of my sick
friend. Abraham was tall, well made, and vast
ly devoted to every member Of my fathers
household He was instructed, snow mind,
Abe, you take the greatest care of Master Ben,
and above all things else prevent him from in
dulging in exccsses." Off we started, with
full suit of black, to be used in case of mourn
ing should circumstances require, and the fol-
lowing noon, after tiresome ride, we found
ourselves at the dwelling Of my friend, who
had so far recovered from his illness as to ex-
tend to us the generous hospitalites of his
home in person. Though we were in a great
hurry to reach the plantation of my friend, yet
we by no means manifested any anxiety to
return to my fathers residence Most of the
time during the month remained with my
friend was entertained with balls and dinner
parties Occasionally we tried our luck at
trout fishing in the ponds of neighboring plan
tations or then we tally ho'd the hounds,
sirs Woodcock shooting was a favorite
sport with my friend, but so entirely was my
time occupied with picnics and promenades
with the ladies', that found few leisure mo-
ment to join him in anything else than that Of
rclishing at breakfast the result Of his sporting
labors. The fine suit of fashionable blue cloth
that had covered my elastic form on starting
on the journey, was completely worn out wheh
ve beean our return home, so that was COM
PEELED to resort to the black coat and pants,
and as always wore a white cambric neck
tie, looked very much like an itinerant preach
er. The morning on which VIC mounted on
our return trip was beautifully fair, and the
air was swcetly perfumed with the scent Of
the magnolia flowers A brisk trot Of some
fifteen miles sharpcned our appetite for din
ncr Abraham though temperate at home
was not particular abroad, and after a mutual
promise Of absolute silence on all that occurred
in the way of dissipation, we resolved to try
the quality of every mans whisky on Tho
road. -
"The host who had kindly furnished us will
an excellent dinner at the first tavern whcrt
we stopped on the road, was not inscnsible tt
the charms of John Barlcycorn, so that whcr
we were again astride Of our horses it was evi
dent that if the brutcs felt their oats, we were
also strangely moved by the 'critter.'
slashing gallop Of an hour brought US in sigh
of a large white farm house near the road
surrounded by apanel fence to which wal
tied number of horses with saddles vacant
while here and there amid the bushes ant
trees were sundry vehicles watched by dark
les, and without occupants. As We ncared th'
house, Abraham discovered that the pony hat
lost shoe, and as there was blacksmith shol
exactly opposite the fence, he insisted that
should 20 up to the court house for such W,
took it to be-in which we supposed an i'm
portant trial was being had. Dismounting ans
handing the rcins to my faithful companion,
approached the door with hasty steps, ant
then entered with steady step. | soon per
ceivcd that II was n Westinghouse, densel,
crowded with the bellies and bcaux of the vi
cnity, and that was an object of general oh
servation and attraction All was as silent a
the air before the storm, when rapidly hasten
ing down the aisle came to two Rev. Dea
cons who cordially shook my hands and thei
led me to the pulpit heard the whispers 0
the old and the titterings of the youthful. s.
hurriedly had the two great gentlemen greete'
me, and so quickly had they led me to tn
preachers stand, that did not fully compre
hend the part | was to perform until the Dea
con stated to the congregation that Brothe
Morton would open the meeting with prayer
after which Brother Beam would clectrify tn
audience with a sermon. Little did think
was Brother Beam, until after the prayer tn
noble old man led me TO the front of the stan,
and introduced me to the congregation as Bro
ther Beam.
"Had not been under the influence Of tn
raw material | never, no never, would hav'
deceived the audience or perpetrated so sinfu
deed. But let that pass said Ben, 81 hav
been paid for it all. ! believe" he continued
"That took that instructive lesson in the bi
bic. Let him that is without sin cast the frs
stone ] called to mind all the beautiful pas
sages had ever read in history or in tn,
classics worked myself into an intens'
passion until my ardor found vent in tears
and my emotions were subdued in Aowery elo
quence. When had nearly closed my ser
mon, Abraham made his appearance at thu
door with his mouth wide open, and his eyes
dilated to the bigness of two large sized sau
GERS. Then it was" said Ben, as he rubbed
his hands with mirth giaddening his counte
nance, "Thcn it was that full conviction O.
the fraud ! was committing impressed itsel
upon my mind. | felt monetary glow o.
shame pervade my heart | hesitatcd bu
/ II uax FOR a .,a..ant nnI thnc nn,oi,,JoI 80,