Meigs County telegraph. [volume] (Pomeroy [Ohio]) 1848-1859, 1858-10-19

known preacher had insured one thing IN
congregation embracing the
entire population of the county--wh'ch
was likely the sole purpose OF this strata
gem.
; was travelling in that part OF Texas ht
the time, and my Imagination being an
famed by tho common curiosity 'ook
some trouble TO attend. But although my
eyes witnessed the extraordinary seene'
may we'll despair of the undertaking TO
paint it. The pen Of Homer. or the pencil
OF Hogart were alone adequate 70 the SUB
Unity and burles1ue Of such q compllca-
ted task. ] may only sketch the angular
outlines.
A space had been cleared away imme-
diately around the magnificent "Double
SPRING" which boiled up with sufficient
force to turn a milI-wheel. in the very
center of the evergreen grove Here
pulpit had been raised, and before 1t was
the indispensable altar for mourners.---
Beyond these, at distance of fifty PAGES
succession of plank tables extended IN
the form of a great circle, orr the perimeter
of a polygon, completely enclosing the
area about the spring. An odoriierous
stream Of the most delicious SAVIOR, dill
fused itself through the air. This was
from the pits Of the adjacent prairie, where
the fifty slaves of Peter Brinson, were
engaged iii cooking the promised bar
bacue.
The grove itself was literally alive,
teeming, swatming. running over with
strange figures in human shape, men, wo-
men and children. All Shelby county was
there. The hunters had come, rifles in
hand, and the logs barking at their heels;
the rogues, refugees and gamblers with
pistols in their belts, and big knives peep
ing from their shirt bpsoms, while here
and there might be seen sprinkling OF
well-dresscd planters with their wives and
daughters.
The tumult was deafening tornado of
babbling tongues, shouting, quarre!lng,
betting and cu,sing for amusement. Sud
denly a cry arose, Colonel Watt Fore
man! Hurrah for Colonel Watt Foreman!'
and the crowd parted right and left to let
the lion Lyncher pass.
turned to the advancing load star of
all eyes. and shuddered involuntarily at
the devilish couutenance that met my
glance, and yet, the features were not only
Youthful but eminently handsome the
hideousness lay in the look Of savage fire,
| feroclous, murderous. It was IN the red
dish yellow eyeballs, with arrowy pupils
that seemed to flash Jets of lurid flame; in
the thin sneeriug lips with their everlast-
inp icy smile. As to the rest. he was a
tall, athletic, very powerful man. HIS
train. a dozen armed desperadoes, followed
him.
Foreman spoke in a voice, sharp and
pierceing as the point of dagger och,
Brinson, where Is The missionary! we
want to give him plumed coat"
"He has not arrived yet replied The
planter.
"Well, I suppose we must wait for him
put the barbecue on the boards; l am al
hungry as a starved wolf"
ii cannot till the missionary comes; the
barbecue is his property"
A fearful light blazed in Foreman's eyes
as he fairly shouted, Fetch me the meat
Instantly, or III fill your stomach with
. dinner Of lead and steel ~
This was the altimatum of one whose
authority was the only law. and the planter
lODGYCu WlLIlOut q hO oAAAON ~ :
viands were arranged on the table by 4
score of slaves, and the throng prepared
: to commence the sumptuous repast, wher
voice pealed out from the pulpit, loud as
the blast Of trumpet in battle, "Stay
gentlemen and ladies', till the giver Of ths
barbecue asks Gods blessing!
Every ear started, every eye was directed
to the speaker, and whisperless silence
epsued, for all alike were struck by his
remarkable appearance. He was almost q
giant in stature-scarcely twenty years o
ave: his hair, dark as the ravens wing
flowed down his immense shoulders in
masses of natural ringlets more beautiful
: than any ever wreathed around the jewelee
brow Of queen by the labored achieve
: ments Of human art; his eyes black "a;
midnight, beamed like stars over face as
pale as Parian marble. calm passionless
spiritual, and wearing singular undefina
| bic expression, such as might have beer
f shed by the light of dream from para
disc, or the luminous shadow of an AN
GELS wing. The heterogeneous crowd
} hunters, gamblers, homicides gazed il
mute astonishment. .ff
3 The missionary prayed, but it sounded
like no other prayer ever addressed to the
: throne of the Almighty. 1t contained nj
e encomiums on the splendor of the divine
4 attributes; no petitions to the tone of com
mands; no orsons for distant places, timei
a or objects, and implied instruction as tC
n the administration lof the government o
8 the universe. 1t related exclusively TO tn
present people and the present hour i
9 was the cry of the naked soul, and tha
] soul was beggar for the bread and wate
4 Of heavenly life.
: He ceased, and not till then did / be
: come conscious Of weeping. ] looket
: around through my tears. and saw hun
g dreds Of faces as wet as with rain.
e Now, my friends, partake of God
gifts al the table. and then come and 81
d down and listen TO His gospel"
s'It would be impossible to describe tn
s sweet tone Of kindness in which thes
~ = Il ~. IL L. !.