The independent press. (Abbeville C.H., S.C.) 1853-1860, 1857-08-21

We'll, what could do then! lax any
reasonable man, what could l do! II
couldn't 60 home without the iannin, and
couldn't buy it without the money. So
hooked bolt of it did-that's n fact,
and I'm not ashamed TO acknowledge it,
for nothing else could he done and if
hadn't been nabted my old woman should
have ha'l six red flannel petticoats, insteal
oftwo she sent me after, and that's the
whole story"
Dickson was committed, in default Of
bal, to answer for the larceny.
PhIddciphia Sunday Mcrc"ry.
Parson Weems.
Every school boy is familiar with Wecm's
Life Of Marion, and will fecll an interest in
the following sketch Of that clerical od,li,v
the author given by Bishop Meade in
the last Southern Councilman
''In his youth Mr.. Wccms was an inmate
Of the family Of Mr.. Jennifer, of Charles
county, Maryland. They coniiLled in him
as body Of principle, and had no doubts
as to his uprightness and morality, until
about his fuurtccntl, year. When at that
age he was seen to leave the house every
evening after tea, and TO be often away
until late at night. The family began to
he afraid that he was getting into corrupt
habits, aud Notwithstanding his assurance
that he would do nothing hat whould rcn.
der him unworthy Of . ,ir esteem and
friendship, they felt uneasy. lie scorncd
tho idea of abusing their confidence, but as
he persisted ip the practice of going away,
at length they determined to find out what
was the cause Of it. Accordingly one
night PLAIN was laid by which hc was
tracked. After pursuing his trail for some
distance in the pines, they come to an old
hut, in which was Mr.. Wccms, surrounded
10y the barc-hca'led, bare-tooted, and half
clad children Of the ncighborhood, whom
hc had been in the habit of thus gathering
! around him at night, in order to give them
instruction.
Il acknowledge that lie was in the habi,
of having the servants assembled in private
houses, where he would spend the night.
and recitc portion of Scripture, for he
never read it out of a book, and perhaps
say something to them, or in the prayer,
abont them. but then it was in sucl, way
rs only TO produce merrimcnt among them
and the children. This have experienced
in my own family and at my mothers; and
have heard others testify 10 the same.
do not think lie could have long even pre-
tended 10 bc the rector of any parish.
From my earliest knowlendge Of him be
. was travelling bookseller for Mr.. Matthew
Cary, Of Philadelphia, visiting all the States
South of Philadelphia, and perhaps some
North of it, i'll a little wagon, with his fiddle
rs a constant companion to amuse himself
and others. If lie would pray with the
servants at night in their owners house, he
would play the fil'lle on the roadside for
them ly day. One Instance of his good
nature is well at,csted. At the old tavern
in Carolina county, Virginia, called the
White Chimncys, Mr.. Wccms and some
strolIing players or puppct sl,ow,ncn met
together one night. \ notice Of some cx-
l'ibition had been given, and the ncighbur-
hood had assembled to witrcss it. A ii,l-
die was necessary to the full performance,
and that was wanting. Mr.. Wccms sup
piled the deficiency.
''lIe was of n very enlarged charity in
all respects. Thous sh calling himself an
Episcopal minister, hc knew no distinct ton
OF churches. lie preached in every pulpit
to which he could gain access, and where
lie could recommend his books. Ills books
were of all kinds. Mr.. Cary, his cmpIycr,
was Roman Catholic, but dealt in all man.
ncr of books. On one election or conrt day
ut Fairfax Court House, one dav, in pass
ing to or from the upper country, found
MIR. Wccms with n book case full for sale
in the portico Of the tavern; on looking at
them, saw Pains Age of Reason and ia
EirCr II nj ,n,, L.,,,I t,,,,,,.l
asked if it was possible that lie could sell
such book. lie Immediately took ont the
Bishop of Landaff-s answer, and "BehoId
the Antidote." ''The Bane and Antidote
arc both before you." lie carried this spu.
rious charity into the sermons. In nv own
pulpit, at the old chapel, in my absence, it
being my Sunday in Winchester, lie extollcd
Tom Paine, and one or more noted infdcIs
of America, and said if their ghosts could
return to the earth, they would be shocked
TO hear the falshoods that were told of them.
| charged him will, what l had heard of
his sermon, and well remember that even
lie was confused and spcechess.
"Somc Of Mr.. Wcems' pamphlets on
drunkenness and gambling would be mos,
admirable in their effects, but for the fact
that you know not what to believe of the
narrative. There are passages of deep pa
tlos and great eloqnencc in them. Ills
histories of Washington and Marion are
very popular, but the same must be said of
them. You know not how much of fiction
there is in them. That of Washington has
probably gone Through more editions than
all others, and has been read by more per-
sons than those Of Mafsi,all Ramscy liam
croft and Irving put together. To conclndc
all the while that Mr.. Wecms was thus
travelling over the land, an object of amusc.'
ment to SO many and Of profit to Mr.. Cary,
lie was transmitting support to an interest
ing and pious family, at or near Dunfries,
who if l am rightly informed, were attach
cd to the Methodist Church. If in this
or anything else which have written, any
mistake has been made, should be glad
to receive its correction"