The independent. [volume] (Oskaloosa, Kan.) 1860-1874, 1864-03-05
for the gittle folk.
A YOUTHFUL ROBBER.

". heutuekv, Will remember The
Rev. John Craig. This gentleman
was OF the Methodist persuasion, OF
the original Asbury school, and he
like most Others of that denomina.
ton al the time to which we allude:
was noted alike for his pIainness OF
dress and strict and open reprooI
OF SIN In what form soever il made
IFS appearance, and under anv and
all circumstances.
Mr.. Craig was one of the first
preachers to visit the section called
Middle Tennessee, now so populous
and powerful, but then, Gn lSOl,) a
mere wilderness. He was an itin-
Grant preacher. His circuit extend
ed from Powell's Valley, east OF the
mountains, to the extreme Western
settlements on the Cumberland and
Duck rivers. The settlements of the
white man were STEW and far be-
tween;" no public roads had been
establlshed-those distant neiphbor-
hoods were connected only by faint
traces, which were but seldom trav.
elled.
Mr.. c. was exposed to MANY
hardships. He lay down on hard
beds, slept in open cabins, and shar-
ed many scanty repast. But he
was a man Of energy, and his zeal
never tagged nor grew weary. He
felt the importance of his mission,
and urged on by his zeal IN bis Mas
ief's cause, and the good OF souls, he
waded SHOWS and floods, braved the
Jury OF The winds, surmounted all
difficulties, and carried the glad It'd
Ings Of salvation to the new set
tiers.
The writer was boin in Middle
tennessee, and though mere child
when he last saw Mr.. Craig. his i'm
age is as fresh in his mind as the
SUeo VI y CStcTudV.
IL 1880. Rev. Mr.. C. came. late
one evening,to my fathers and pass
ed the night at our house. During
the evening.after family prayers had
been offered up by him, before retir-
ing he gave to my father, in nv
presence narrative, which was ip
substance, the following:-
Many years before, Mr.. Craig
was passing from East Tennessee 10
the Duck river country. His way
led him along a dim path through a
mountain pass, amid craggy rocks,
near awful precipices and frightfui
chasns. Suddenly a young man
sprang from a huge rock, and with
a heavy rifle presented at Mr.. Craig.
demanded his money.
Mr. Z. regarded the robber with
a LOOK OF discrimination peculiar TO
himself. as he refined up his horse
and said. "Young man, YOU never
robbed before. What has brought
you to this?"
The robber again demanded his
money, threatening instant death
II the other did not comply.
Mr.. Craig answered. "This is
your hrst attempt. You have been
better. raised. Your mother--'
instantly the young man dashed
down his gun and burst into tears.
saying he had indeed been taught
better things. And he cried mos,
bitterly.
Mr.. Craig tied his horse to a limb,
alighted and invited the trembling
youth to be seated near him on a
flat rock. The young man Instant
ly complied, when Mr.. Craig, in a
mild and engaging manner, asked
hIm how ne had happened to become
a robber.
The other told him that he had
been raised in Virginia parents
were in easy circumstances in life,
and members of the Presbyterian
church-that they had educated him
religiously land lavished on him all the
affections characteristic of parental
love. About eighteen months since,
he had married against their will,
and with his young and lovely vile,
he had made his way into this new
and and unsettled country. His pa
rents had given him no. assistance,
and having bu, little on which TO
commence life, and falling sick, with
out money friends or credit, both
he and his wife had well nigh siarv-
ed. In the depths OF his distress, he
had as a last alternative, resolved 10
make ons robbery, only one, and
live honestly.
Mr.. Craig, in the spirit Of love,
pointed out his error. He told him,
that he should have gone TO his Hea-
venly Father, and made known his
wahts-that Ills tender mercies are
over all His works, and none that
rust in Him shall want. The
,oung man was all tears-all peni-
ence.
Mr.. C. arose, went to his horse,
a H.. eodIla l,.r,s ell