Elizabeth daily monitor. [volume] (Elizabeth, N.J.) 1868-1880, 1868-12-02
ENCOUNTER WITH A PREACHER

terrible snow-storm occurred, which SO
INSTRUCTED the road that several passcn-
gers, including myself, were obliged to
find accommodation in small wooden
tavern situated near by. After satisfy
ing our - inner man" with warm sup
per, we all congregated around the bar
room fire, and soon We're engaged III
smoking. telling stories, and enjoying
ourselves generally.
Among us was middle-aged gentle
man, apparently merchant, who re-
NAMED a silent listener to the converse
ton the first part of the evening, but
soon our vocabulary of stories was ex-
hausted, and the gentleman was politely
invited to revive the dropping CONVEX
sation by relating a story. He readily
accepted the invitation. and told the
following. which give to the reader as
near as my memory viii permit
About twenty years ago, he began, l
was connected with wealthy firm in
st. Louis, and desiring to visit New
Orleans, was entrusted with consider
able sum Of money by my employers,
to be conved with all possible haste to
New Orleans merchant.
Early in the morning I got on board
the boat, and leaned listlessly over the
railing, watching the inhabitants as they
went forth to their various occupations
I had not remained in that position long,
before the steamer moved slowly away
from the pier, and soon the city was
entirely lost to view.
During the day nothing transpired to
render the voyage disagreeable, and
as the shades of night began to hover
over the water repaired to the saloon,
where several gentlemen were engaged
in rather stormy discussion of poll
tics. Soon l became entangled along
with the rest, and gave my particular
views on political subjects.
While conversing, L thoughtlessly
mentioned the fact of having n large
sum of money in my possession. Moth
ing further was said about it at the
time, however, but the thought flashed
upon my mind that, in q crowd of such
desperate and unprincipled individuals
as were my associates, it was not the
place to tell such secret, which kept
me rather backward in conversation
during the remainder of the evening.
I retired soon after, fully resolved tc
be more prudent in the future.
The next day made the acquain'
lance of gentleman who protested tc
be Methodist clergyman. He gave
me some tracts, and soon we entered
into n conversation which resulted il
quite a friendly intimacy. He appeared
to be well versed in his profession, and,
altogether, a very agreeable companion
After conyersing on the various topic;
of the day, the conversation naturally
turned to tho previous evenings discus
sion. Not being very well pleased witt
what had occurred at that time, / at
tempted to change the subject, but was
prevented by my friends remarking,-
"You were very indiscreet, Mr.
RI, in revealing the fact that you
had money in your possession. There
are men on this boat who would moi
hesitate to rob you, if an opportunity
presented therefore advise you tc
be more careful hereafter. -
thanked him for his kind advice
and assured him that [ intended tc
keep aloof from all suspicious individu
ais.
To this he made no reply, but rose
from his seat, and with cane in hand
walk ed leisurely away to his room, leav
ing me TO my own reflections, which
We're that / had good companion and
valuable friend in the preacher.
On the journey, made the acquaint
ance of several gentlemen, but none
that valued so much as the clergyman.
Nothing occurred of note after this,
and we arrived late in the evening al
New Orleans Not being very well ac-
quainted in the city, my friend offered
to conduct me to hotel where my OK.
penses would not be very heavy, as ]
wished to spend as little money as pos,
sible. | thankfully accepted his com
.pany, and we walked up the street seve-
raj blocks. when he oave mn thn ,,rone,