Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1857-04-04

of the county, which was likely the sole pur-
pose of his stratagem.
was travelling in that part of Texas, at the
time, and my imagination being inflamed by the
common curiosity, took some trouble and at
tended. But although my eyes witnessed the
extraordinary scene, may well despair Of un-
dertaking to paint it-iho pen of Homer, or the
pencil Of Hogarth, were alone adequate to the
sublimty and burlesque of the complicated task
l may only sketch the angular outlines.
a space had been cleared away Immediately
around the magnificent "Double Spring -
which boiled up with force sufficient to turn n
mill-wheel, in the very centre of the evergreen
grove. Here pulpit had been raised, and be-
fore 1t was the nseparable altar for mourners.
Beyond these, at the distance of fifty PAGES, a
succession of plank tables extended in the form
of great circle. or the perimeter of polygon,
completely enclosing the area about the spring
An odorierous steam, Of most delicious savor,
diilused itself through the air this was from
the pits in the adjacent prairie, where the fifty
slaves of Peter Brinson were engaged in cook
ing the promised barbecue.
The grove itself was literally alive. teeminp.
swarming, running over, with strange figures
in the human shape, men, women and children,
in every variety of oullandish costumes All
Shelby county was there. The hunters had
come, rifles in hand, and dogs barking at their
heels; the rogues, refugees and gamblers, with
pistols in their belts, and big knives pecping
from their shirt-bosoms, while here and there
might be seen sprnkling Of well-dressed plan
tiers, with their wives and daughters.
The tumult was dea(eninn. a tornado of rbao-
bling tongues, talking, shouting, quarreling,
betting, and cursing for amusement Sudden.
ly a cry arose, "Col Watt Foemanl Hurrah
for Col. Watt Foeman !" and the crowd parted
10 the right and left, TO let the lion Lyncher
pass.
turned to the advancing load.siar of all
eyes, and shuddered Involuntary at the devil
ish countenance which met my glance and ye,
the features were not only youthful, but emi.
nenily handsome; the hideousness lay in the
look, full OF savage fre--ferocious, murderous.
Ii was in the reddish yellow eye-balls with ar
rowy pupils, that seemed to flash eis of lurid
flame; in the thin sneering lips, with their ev.
erlasting icy smile. AS 10 the rest, he was a
tall athletic, very powerful man. His train, a
dozen armed desperadoes, followed him.
Foeman spoke in voice, sharp, piercing, as
the point of dagger "Eh Brinson, where
is the new missionary We want to give him
plumed coat ~
He has not yet arrived replied the plan
ter.
"Well, suppose we must wait for him
but put the barbecue on the boards / am hun
CRY as starved wolf"
81 cannot till the missionary comes the bar
becue is his property
he took three steps toward Briuson, and fairly
shouted, Fetch the meat instantly, or III Gil
your own stomach with dinner of lead and
STEEL"
This was the uhiolatian Of one whose author
ity was the only law, and the planter obeyed
without murmur. The smoking viands were
arranged on the tables, by 4 score of slaves,
and the throng prepared 10 commence the sump-
tuous meal, when voice pealed from the pull
pit, loud as the blast Of a trumpet in battle.
"Siay. gentlemen and ladies', till the gver Of
the barbecue asks Gods blessing 80
Every heart started, every eye was directed
TO the speaker and n whisperless silence en-
sued, for all alike were struck by his remarka-
BILE appearance. He was almost a giant in
stature, though scarcely twenty years of age !;
his hair, dark as the ravens wing, flowed down
his immense shoulders in masses of natural
ringlets, more beautiful than any ever wreaihed
around the eweled brow of a queen by the la
bored ACHIEVEMENTS of human art; his eyes,
black as midnight, beamed like stars over face
nnla nc Parian marble caIu, paceionlncc
itual, and wearing a singular, indefnable cx-
preston, such as might have been shed by the
light of dream from Paradise, or the lumn-
Gus shadow of an angels wing. The hetero-
geneous crowd, hunters, gamblers homicides,
gazed in mute establishment.
The missionary prayed; but it sounded like
no other prayer ever addressed 10 the throne Of
the Almighty. 1t contained no econiums on
the splendor of the divine attributes no petit
tions in the tone of commands; no orisons for
distant places, times, or objects; and no implied
instructions as TO the administration of the gov
ernment Of the universe. Ii related exclusive
ly to the present people and the present hour
it was the cry of naked soul, and that soul a
beggar. for the bread and the water of heavenly
life.
He ceased, and not till then did become
conscious of weeping. looked around through
my tears, and saw hundred faces wet as with
rain
"Now, my friends" said the missionary
"partake of Gods gifts at the table, and then
come sit down and listen to his Gospel"
1t would be impossible 10 describe the sweet
tone of kindness in which these simple words
were uttered, that made him on the instant five
hundred friends. One heart, however, in the
assembly, was maddened by the evidences ofthe
preachers wonderful power. Col. Watt Foe.
man exclaimed in sneering voice ''Mr. Pau
Denton, your reverence has lied. You promis-
ed us not only good barbecue, but better liquor
Where is the liquor!'
'There!" answered the missionary, in tones
of thunder, and pointing his motionless finger
at ME matchless Double Spring, gushing up in
two strong columns, with sound like shout
of joy from the bosom Oft the earth. "'There T.
he repeated with look terrible as lightning
while his enemy actually trembled on his feet