The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1867-08-20
Subduing a Desperate.

On the Western frontiers of our cour
try, in advance of society and of socid
refinement, there have been, and are I'd
day, class of preachers, rough and uni
taught, and yet devoted to their work.
true evangoists Of the backwoodsmen
Among them are some Of the most fear
less apostles IN the world. In Texas
especially, where in some localities therd
arc communities of fierce, lawless spirits
these pioneer preachers necessarily encoun
ter not only pcris from wild beasts, perila
from disease and exposure, but perils from
brutal men, more dangerous than either.
Their courage is Of the Texan type, and
although it may occasionally show itself
in manner not exactly in harmony with
the spirit of their calling, yet one is in
cincd 10 look somewhat charitlbly upon
faults that are the result of education
and exhibit themselves in defence of the |
truth. The preachers often have less of
the genteness OF John than of Peters fiery
impulses.
Capt. Marcy, in his "Army Life on
the Border gives an incident or two in
the life Of one of these devoted Christian
men, who, however, possessed rather more
cultivation than most of his class, and for
time chaplain wDs stationed.
lie was man of unexceptionabe moral
character, but at the same time possessed
an lrasclbc tempt ramcnt, which required
all the exercise Of his power of self discip-
line 10 keep in suhjectIon. One day he
learned that a certain deacon of his church
had slandered him. Under the impulse
of his Indignation re seized cowhde
fnd started for the offenders house to give
him sound fogging. Luckily for the
deacon, the preacher chanccd 10 think,
before lie got to the end of his journey,
that his conduit was hardly in keeping
with his profession, and concluded to
seek less violent mode of redress.
Late one nigh'--on the Red river
circnit-he once found himself in a thin
ly-setiled copniry, near the house of Il
desperate and gambler, who was noted
for his hatred of religion and of Christian
professors. There were dark stories told
about this man. 1t was believed that he
had murdered travellers VINO had put up
at his house, although no proof could be
presented against him.
The preacher knew these facts and
would have preferred less ungodly land
lord; but he was in his Masters service.
and cleared neither man nor DEVIL" e
did nat hs State 10 enter the desperados
house.
As he halted his horse at the door, he
heard the gambler say to his wife, with
an oath.
"Ihcre comes that old parson. sup
pose he wants 10 stay over night, but it
he thinks I'm a-aoin TO put up with his
praying and psalm Singing, he's mistaken.
I'll make him pay lis bill in different coin
from that !"
Such greeting from such a man would
have caused most travellers to pass on and
get as tar as passi bic from the gamblers
reach. But the preacher quietly got off
his horse, went into the house and told
the surly rntlian that he meant to spend
the night there!
''Beiier wait and see whether you are
wanted fust," growled the gambler.
The preacher cody touk off his coat
and said,-
''lve come 10 Sidy ~
Supper was put on the table. They
all sat down. The gambler took his knife
and fork and was about to cat. The
preacher raised his hands as in the act
OF invoking blessing, and at the same
time looked steadily and s;e,nly at tho
rutlian. Cowed by the cool courage of
The man, the despeTado dropped his knife
and fork and mutered in sullen tone
"Lefer site, pdrSon."
The preacher ask, Il grace. But the
gambler was so i'll at his case, and so much
annoyed at the missionary's dictatorial
conduct, that he hardly spoke a word to
him all the evening.
AS the hour for going to bed drew near
the preacher made up his mind to have
customary evening family worship. lie
took Bible from his pocket and notion
cd the ruilian to bring him small table.
Half subdued by his stern and serious
manner, the gambler seized the table and
slammed It down In front of his guest,
and then began 70 whistle the tune, ''the
Arkansas Traveller -
The preacher vouclsafed no comment,
but pointed very decidedly and signif-
canlly to his Bible. The gambler stopped.
In an angry tone, and with an oath, he
said,
"Wcll, parson, lie aIead"
The night passed quietly. The fearless
clergyman slept calmly AMI in the morn-
ng.conducicd religious usservices again with
ont opposition fiom his landlord.
As he was about to leave he asked the
gambler how much there WAS to pay for
his supper, breakfast and nights lodging.
mot a cent, parson." said the desper-
ado, mot cent! go along about your
business; but don't come psalm-singng
around my house any more, for l won't
stand it,"