The state rights democrat. [volume] (Albany, Linn County, Oregon) 1865-1900, 1868-11-07
BLKTZ, THE WIZARD.

The naughtiest thing that B!i,E ever
did was to disturb q negro meeting somc
years seo in Be!knap street, Boston -
The story is not generally known. as il
would perhaps have led u some personal
trouble tO him. had il been represented
to the authorities.
All Boston has known or has heard OF
the negro preacher, Father Snowden. wao
held forth 10 his "cuilered breaiern" in
Beiknap street for 20 many years. |, was
quiet summers afternoon, when the
house wss pretty vel; iiIle,!--'l,crs being
revival OF religion .,oin. on among til"
"gcmmcn oh color ~ hen Biilz with
some other persons (aiihau-h he il him.
self as dark as nu.a to. and has "euriy
hair" TO boDt) entered the house. Ii Va.
pretty warm weather, aud consequently
the hall was not a i,t;le offensive Ia the
senses polite; but ihipgs went on nicely
enough until the minister h1d got warm.
ed up in his subject. aud va using word-
almost ton | n ior cuHinon .ized dc.
f'onary, when BIitz thought it vas about
time to DO something.
a. And tie Lord laid unto Nose. -
"Bow-wow WOW, came apparently from
behind the speaker.
The congregation looked each other in
the face with cnuntenaHccs darker than
ever, while Father SDowden, after star
ing behind himself, 'ceme1 10 come 10
the conclusion that the noi.e Proceeded
frcm the street, aud 50 lie commenced
again.
" And the Lord said unto Moses"-
Stand from UNDER cried voice ap-
parcntly at the top of the house.
The startled congregation rolled up the
big whites of their eyes TO the ceiling in
amaEement, while the minister drew sud.
denly to one side, expecting something
was coming down. But. after = moments :
pause, all seemed quiet, aud 20 Mr.. Snow-
den resumed.
- And the Lord said unto Moses
CANT you ashamed Of yourse.f?"--
take your hands off me % said a voice
proceeding apparently from q very neat
mulatto girl, who sat in the front pew,
and upon whom all eyes were turned.
II didn't tech yer - ssid nan next
to her, in amazement.
Some smiled and said, "Sam johnson
ought to be ashamed Of himself TO act -
in meeting" aud the minister frowned
upon him in way that would have thaw.
ed a snow ball outright, after which Mr.
Snowden attempted once more TO resume
bis remarks.
"And the Lord said unto Moses
"Well, what did he say!" came sud
denly from the big lips of an attentive
listener in the side aisle.
The minister was astounded. He look
ed at the man as though his boldncss had
electrified him. while some Of the con
gregatioh began to think that, under tho
circumstances, the inquiry was very
natural aud appropriate one. As TO tho
minister himself. be was a little vcxec
now, and repeated with emphasis:
" And the Lord said unto Moses
''Eire fire !" roared voice whicl
seemed to come from the entrance Of tht
house with startling earnestness.
This was too much to bear tamely.-
Even the minister rushed to the deor
and the affrighted women screamed lk'
mad. as they huddled aud pushed caei
other out of the pcws aud down the aisle
Bonneis suffered some on the occasion
and when they all got fairly out the.
looked up to the top of the meeting house
patiestly awaiting to see the flames burs
through the slated roof.
And there Bitz left them standing
their eyes rolling heavenward, Id Par
sou Snowden in brown study