The Hancock Jeffersonian. [volume] (Findlay, Ohio) 1857-1870, 1869-01-29

An Encounter with a Preacher.
, Some years ago, while iourneyin
through the central part of Ohio,
terrible snow storm occurred, whic
SO obstructed the road that sever:
passengers, including myself, wer
obliged to find accommodation in
small wooden tavern situated nea
by. After satisfying our inner ma
with warm supper, we all congre
gated around the bar room fire, an
soon were engaged in smoking
telling stories, and enjoying our
selves generally.
Among us was middle aget
gentleman, apparently a merchant
who remained silent listener to th,
conversation the first of the evening
butts our vocabulary ofstories wa
exhausted, and the gentleman wal
invited to revive the dropping con
versation by telling a story. HI
readily accepted the invitation, anG
told the following, which l give to
the reader as near as my memory
will permit:
About twenty years ago, he began
l was connected with wealthy firm
in st. Louis, and desiring to visit
New Orleans, was intrusted with a
considerable sum Of money by my
employers, to be conveyed with all
possible haste to New Orleans
merchant.
Early in the morning l got aboard
the boat and leaned listlessly over
the railing, watching the Inhabitants
as they went forth to their various
occupations. l had not been in that
position long, before the steamer
moved slowly sway from the pier;
and soon the city was entirely lost
to view.
During the day nothing transpired
to render the voyage disagreea5le,
and as the shades OF night began to
hover over the water, repaired to
the saloon, where several gentlemen
were engaged in a rather stormy
discussion of politics. Soon | be-
came entangled along with the rest,
and gave my particular views on
political subjects.
While conversing, / thoughtlessly
the fact of my having a
large sum of money in my possession.
further was said about it at
the time, however, but the thought
flashed upon my mind that in crowd
of such desperate and unprincipled
individuals as were my associates,
it was not the place to tell such a
secret, which kept me rather back
ward in conversation during the re-
mainder of the evening. retired
soon after, fully resolved to be more
prudent in the future.
The next day made the acquain-
tance of a gentleman who protessed
to be Methodist preacher. He
gave me several tracts and soon we
entered into conversation that re-
suited in quite q friendly intimacy.
He appeared to be well versed in his
and altogether a very
agreeable companion. After con-
versing on various topics of the day,
The conversation naturally turned to
the previous evenings discussion.-I
Not being very well pleased at what
had occurred at that time, l attempt
ID to change the subject, but was
by my friends remark
ng--
"You were very indiscreet, Mr..
B., in revealing the fact that
vou had money in your possession.
There are men on this boat who
would not h0itate to rob you if an
presented; therefore, i
dvise you to be more careful here
fter."
I thanked him for his kind advice,
nd assured him that 1 intended to
eep aloof from all suspicious indi-
idua!s.
To this he made no reply, but rose
rom his seat, and with cane in hand
ralked leisurely away to his room,
eaving me to my own reflections,
7hich were that l had good COM
anion and valuable friend in the
reacher.
On the journey / made the ac-
uaintance of several gentlemen, but
one that / valued as much as the
lergyman. Nothing occurred of {
ote after this, and we arrived late
, the evening at New Orleans. Not s
eing very well acquainted in the
ity, my friend offered to conduct t
le to q hotel where my expenses l
-ould not be very heavy, as wished {
, spend as little money as possible.
thankfully accepted his company, I
nd we walked up the street several
locks, when he gave me the proper
irection to take, while he was I
bliged to go another way. {
Alter parting with him wended t
~ way to the hotel. which was &
ituated little way off from the G
usy thoroughfare. 1t was a large
and had very old and q
ingy appearance. and, in fact, did /
OF look very inviting to the trav- I
Ter but as did not expect to stay '
ing, / concluded to accept the ac- e
as they were much v
leaper than could be found else
here. , - 81. Isl - q ~ i
/ entered the bar-room, and after i
my name and eating a t
ght supper, 1 asked to be shown to S
y room, and was conducted up a
Ight of rickety old stairs, to small v