The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1863-06-17

expected 10 De mangled ana eaten Dy Wlld
beasts, and in the extremity of despair
endeavored to pierce himself in some vital
part with bayonet, but was too weak to
effect his purpose. He was at last found
alive, ultimately recovered his health, and
returned to England Being found, on
his arrival, unfit for service, he was dis
charged, and finally settled near st. A.,
as before mentioned.
Soon after his return, the "Old Garden
er" became a convert to- Methodism, and
afterwards local preacher, working hard
at his occupation as gardener by day,
and praying and preaching to his fellow
sinners, as he termed then, in the evening
He lived in the poorest manner, giving
away all the surplus of his earnings in
charity, distributing Bibles, and promot-
ing, to the utmost of his ability. the ex-
tension of Methodism. His exterior was
rough, and his face as strongly marked as
the granite OF his native country. His
complexion was sort of dirty, dark, iron
gray, and his whole appearance lean and
grotesque. Nothing could possibly be
more homely than his preaching; his Ian
guage was strong and colloquial. The
most awful groans usually followed his
denunciations against hardened and inn
penitent sinners, and many attributed their
conversion from wicked life to the preach.
ing of the ssOld Gardener" In the midst
of apparently extreme ignorance, and, if
what have heard related respecting some
incidents of his life be true, no small de-
gree of cunning, he possessed great per-
soaal courage Of this, the following
incident affords ample evidence:
The "Old Gardener" was once subject
ed to burglary and attempt at robbery.
He lived with his wife. counterpart Of
himself, in small dilapidated cottage,
not far from the high road. Three young
sssquires," of large expectations, who had
just finished their studies at the Universe
ty, and who all despised and hated Method
ism, having heard that the. old man had
been recently making collection to build
Methodist chapel, thought it would be
good frolic to rob him, temporarily, Of
the proceeds of his collection. A plan
was Immediately formed, and time ap
pointed for carrying it into execution.
1t is supposed that the old man must have
had some information of the plot from a
Methodist servant in the employment Of
the mother of one OF the young gentle
men. The result of the frolic is best re.
lated in the words of one OF the actors:
ave set out" said he, '-npon our ex-
pedition with blackened faces, on dark
night, little before twelve o'clock. The
sold Gardener" was one of my fathers
tenants, and I knew the localities Of the
cottage WELL We had dincd late, and all
of us had Dutch as we'll as Cornish cour-
age; vet, l confess, when it came to the
point felt myself a coward. l began. to
reflect that it was but dastardly frolic
to frighten poor old man, and his wife
in the dead of the night. / was acquaint-
ed with the history of the old man, and
his simple mode of life, and once, out OF
curiosity, had heard him preach. His
preach IL VAS utterly indescribable, and
his appearance, in his tublike pulpit, was
at times. when he was wrought up into a
Fl of enthusia siasm, truly awful. One of his
frequent expressions was 81 am sure / am
under the protection of the Almighty,
and neither man nor devil can harm me y
fhose words rang in my ears, and although
| had determined to form one of the party
who had plotted together to rob the old
man, l ultimately compromised with con-
science, by resolving to remunerate him
for the fright-if such man could be
frightened. i
The clock struck twelve. "Now then
comes the witehing time of night" ex-
claimed Tom.
"Don't let us frighten the poor old
couple out of their wits, said |.
mo- said Ryder; ''we will be gentle
lrobbers--gentle as Robin Hood and Lit
tie john sa5u5sIa m
. l said that.I would rather travel back
than proceed. "Recollect," said !, "the
old fellow is an old soldier as well as s
saint, and fears nothing human.
"NonsenseT exclaimed Ryder, here
goes" He pressed the feeble door of the
cottage, in which the old man resided; il
Immediately gave way and few open. We
entered, AMI foand ourselves in sort O
kitchen. To our great sarprise, there
was light shining from an inner room
This made us hesitate.
"Who iseut there at this time of nlght2'
exclaimed hearse voice from within.
knew it to be the unmistakable voice o
the sold Gardener.
s.Give us your money, and no harm shall
befall you," said Tom; ''but We must hay'
your money
1.-THE Lord will be my defence" rejoin
ed the Old Gardener. "You shall hav
no money from me; all in the house is tn
4 Lord stake it if you dare!' 49,
"We must and will have it, !" said We, a
we entered the inner room, after takin
1.-THE precaution of fastening the chambe
door as we entered.
4 We soon wished We had suffered it t
remain open as you will see.
Now consider US face to face with tn
Old Gardener; and a pretty sight We pre-
scented. Three ruf6ans (ourselyes,) wit
white wagoner's frocks, and blackene
; faces. Before us the Old Gardener, Sit
t ting on the side of his bed. He wore
red worsted night cap, a checked shirt, an
a flannel jacket; his iron-gray face, firing
ed with a grizzled beard, looked as COT
and undismayed as if he had been in h
pulpit preaching. A table was by the sid
of the bed, and immediately in front {
!, I, "A