Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1869-06-13

tanic majesty, by many a mountaii
girl who would doubtless hav,
fallen in glove at first sight" will
him under any other name. TIL,
preacher whose circuit lay on eithel
side of the mountain, at the tim,
Ned's direful edict was promulgated
to the world, was a meek and iowIJ
man, who approached nearly in his
natural disposition to willing ODE.
dienee to the mandate, relative tc
turning the cheek TO the siniter. The
poor soul passed many sleepless
nights, in view of the fate that
awaited him at the mountain pass.
In his dreams he saw Forgeron with
a huge sledge hammer in his hand,
ready to dash out his brains, and
would start with such violence as to
wake himself. He inquired If there
was no other place at which the
mountain could be passed, only to
learn his doom more certainly.
Being q timid man but withal de
voutly impressed with a sense Of
duty, ne resolved to discharge his
duties faithfully, be the conse-
quences what they might. Like
lambs going to the slaughter did
he weRd his way toward the gap );
as he came in front of the shop, the
blacksmith was striking the last
blow on a shovel, and singing
away, TO the tune Of "Clear the
Kitchen tt's eaAf
40 Georgia is a noble State,
Her laws are good her people great" 1
On catching a glimpse of the
poor parsen, who had fattered
himself that he was about to pass
with impunity, Ned sung out-"stop
there, you eternal shad-belly, and
pay the penalty of an injured rep
utationp' The holy man protested
innocence Of having ever inten-
tionally- injured him, by word or
deed.
The mans subdued looks and
earnest voice had half dlssuaded
Ned from his stern purpose, when
the giggling from his striker, and
the cheering of two or three idlers,
nerved him to do what he felt was
mean. Let any one pause mo-
ment and reflect if he has never
been urged on to acts his conscience
smote him for by the opinions of
others, before Mr.. Fergeron is
judged. The preacher received sew
eral boxes ON his ears, and heard
many denunciations against his
sect before he was permitted to de-
part; and when that permission
was received, he was not slow in
availing himselfo of the privilege.
At the next annual conference,
when circuits were assigned to the
different preachers, this one made
his appearance punctually, but by
some process of casuistry convinc-
ed himself that his duty did not call
for revelation of his sufferings.
Whether he was too sensitive of the
blacksmith's character to expose it
to rude remark, or had a preference
that some worthier brother should
occupy that healthy station among
the mountains is difficult to conjec-
ture. as5- ffFa.
But Forgeron's reputation had
extended beyond the circuit, and
was done ample and severe justice
to by others who had heard of his
fame. 1t soon became the subject
of animated conversation and there
was no little wincing, each one
fearing it would be his cruel fate to
be sent q victim to appease the
wrath of this human minotaur
against the Methodist church.
After time it was decreed that
the Reverend Mr.. Stubbleworth was
the doomed individual, and when
the annuneiation came, many an
eye of mingled pity and curiosity
was turned on his ruddy, good
natured face, to see how the dis
pensation was borne; but not a
muscle moved. With a quiet smile
he professed a perfect Willingness
to 90 where he was sent. He was
''clay in the hands of the potter"
he said. If he piqued himself on
stolid indifference to the black
smiths pummelings, or if he relied
on his ample dimensions to protect
himself, he never disclosed it, but
appeared as selfsatisfed and con
tent as ever. His predecessor
| looked for all the world like a
mouse Just escaped from the fangs
of some terrible grimalkin.
Mr.. Stubbleworth arranged his
few sublunary affairs, and bidding
his friends adieu, mounted his old
roam and departed for his new home
of trials, with song of faith on
his lips Let US hope the best for
him.
The Rev. Mr.. Stubbleworth was
very much pleased with his new
situation. Having been transferred
from a level pine woods country,
near the confines of Florida, the
novelty of mountain scenery and q
pure bracing atmosphere seemed
to inspire him with new life. Com
plimenting all the mothers on the
singular beauty and intelligence OF
their children, with a delicate allu
; sion to their own personal appear
T ance, he soon became general IA
vorite. Mr.. StubblewOrth " knew
which side of the bread his butter
was on" The time arriving for hi
z departure to visit the tramOntanC
portion of his pastoral care, he wa
t warned of the dangers he was abou
to encounter; but they were hear'
= with the same placid smile
l The worthy ladies pictured to hin
. the "chimeras dire" sufficient t.
: have abated the zeal of any othe
- / :.l;u;J,,o1 Put 4hat cent ON n