Bellows Falls times. [volume] (Bellows Falls, Vt.) 1856-1965, 1867-07-26
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Subduing a Desperate.

YET ueNOteu 10 lnelr WOgh--truct tNdiIStiisio |
of the back woodsnen. Among them are
some of the most fearless apostles in the |
world. In Texas, especially, where in some
localities there are communities of fierce,
lawless spirits, these pioneer preachers
necessarily encounter not only perils from
wild beasts, perils from disease and ex-
posure, 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 inclined to look some
what charitably upon faults that are the
result of education and exhibit themselves
in defence of the truth. These preachers
often have less of the geptleness 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 ofthese devoted Christian men,
who, however, possessed rather more cul-
tivati than most of his class, and for a
time chaplain was stationed.
| He was a man of unexceptionable moral
character, but at the same time possessed
an iiascible temperament, which required
all the exercise of his power of self-disci.
pline to keep in subsection. One day he
learned that certain deacon of his church
had slanflered him. Under the impulse of
his Indignation he seized cowhide and
started for the offenders house to give him
a sound flogging. Luckily for the deacon,
The preacher chanced to think, before he
got 10 the end of his journey, that his con-
duct was hardly in keeping with his pro-
fession, and concluded to seek less violent
mode of redress.
Late one night--on the Red river cir
cuit-he once found himself in a thinIy-
settled country, near the house of des-
perado and gambler, who was noted for
his hatred of religion and of Christian pro-
fessors. There were dark stories told
about this man. 1t was believed that he
had murdered travellers who had put up at
his house, although no proof could be pre-
sented against him.
The preacher knew these facts and would
have preferred a less ungodly landlord
but he was in his Masters service, and
e.fa.,,1 ,,a;,l,a,. ,.,,, 49,, ,la,-;J - l:J
hesitate to enter the desperado's house.
| As he halted his horse at the door, be
heard the gambler say to his wife, with an
oath.
There comes that old parson. sup
pose he wants to stay over night, but if he
thinks I'm a-goin TO put up with his pray
ing and psalm-singing, he's mistaken I'll
make him pay his bill in different coin from
that p
Such greeting from such man would
have caused most travellers TO pass on and
get as far as possible from the gambler
reach. But the preacher quietly got off
his horse, went into the house and told the
surly ruffian that he meant TO SPEND the
night there
Better wait and see whether you are
wanted fust," growled the gambler.
The preacher coolly took off his coat,
and said,-
"Iv'e come to stay!"
Supper was put on the table. They al
! sat down. The gambler took his knife
and fork and was about TO eat. The
preacher raised his hands as in the act o.
: invoking blessing, and at the same time
looked steadily and sternly at the ruffian
Cowed by the cool courage of the man
the desperate dropped his knife and forl
and muttered in a sullen tone,-
Letter slide, parson."
The preacher asked grace. But the
gambler was so i'll at his ease, and SO mucl
annoyed at the missionary's dictatorial
. conduct, that he hardly spoke word tt
him all the evening.
: As the hour for going to bed drew near
the preacher made up his mind to hav'
Or customary evening family worship. HI
took Bible from his pocket and motione'
! the ruffian to bring him small table
Half subdued by lis stern and seriou
d, manner, the gambler seized the table ant
/, slammed it down in front of his guest, an
a then began to whistle the tune the Ar
kansas Traveler!"
The preacher vouchsafed no comment
bu, pointed very decidedly and significant
ly to his Bible. The gambler stopped. L
ii an angry tone, and with an oath, he sale
in Well, parson, bile ahead"
il The nigh, passed quietly. The fearles
w wsr Clergyman slept calmly and in the morT
ss Ss ing conducted religious services agai
es without opposition from his landlord.
he he As he was about to leave he asked I'll
in gambler how much there was TO pay fl
his supper, breakfast and nights lodging,
!" Not cent, parson,' said the desper;