The Republican journal., 1869-03-18

charge his duties faithfully, be the the cor
sequences wha .ey might. Like lam
going to the slaughter did he wend his wa
toward the gap; as he came in front of til
shop, the blacksmith was striking the la,
blow on the shovel, and singing away, t
the tune of Clear the Kitchen
cold Georgia is noble State,
Her laws are good, her people great
! Ga catching a glimpse OF the poor parsor
who had hattered himself that he was abou
opass with impunity, Ned sung out-"StoT
there, you eternal shad-belly, and pay til
penalty of an Injured reputation !' Th
! holy man protested innocence of havin
ever Intentionally injured him, by word, o
| deed
The mans subdued looks and earnes
voice, had half dissuaded Ned from his ster
purpose, when the giggling Of his striker
and the cheering Of two or three iders nerv
ed him 10 do what he felt was mean. LIE
any one pause moment, and reflect if ht
has never been urged on to acts his con
science smote him for BY the opinion 0
others, before Mr.. Forgeron is sentenced
as a devil. The preacher received severa
boxes on his ears and heard many denuncia
-ions against his sect before he was permit
ted to depart: aud when that permission
was received, he was not slow in availins
himself of the privilege.
AT the next annual conference, when Cir
cults we're assigned to the different preach
ers, this one made his appearance punctual
ly, but by some process OF casuistry couvinc
ed himself that his duty did not cali for rev
elation OF his sutierings. Whether he wa;
too sensitive Of the blacksmith's character
to expose it to rude remark, Or had pref
erence that some worthier brother should
occupy that healthy station among the
mountains, is difficult to conjecture.
But Forgeron's reputation had extended
beyond the circuit, and was done ample
and severe justice to by others who had his
fame. 1t soon became the subject of ami
mated conversation, AMI there was no little
wincing, each one fearing it would be his
cruel fate to be sent a victim to appease the
wrath Of this human miuetaur against the
Methodist church.
After time, it was decreed that the Rev
erend Mr.. Stubbleworth was the doomed
individual, aud when the annunciation came
many an eye of mingled pity and curiosity
was turned on his ruddy, good uatured face
to see how the dispensatlon was borne but
not q muscle moved. With a quiet smile
he protessed perfect willingness to &C
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 selt-sat-
istied aud content as ever. His predecesso,
looked for all the world like q mouse JUS:
escaped from the tangs Of some terrible
grimaIkiu.
Mr.. Stubbleworth arranged his few sub
lunary affairs, and bidding his friends adieu
mounted his old roam ana departed for his
new home of trials, with a song Of praise
on Ms lips. Let rs hope the best for him.
CHAPTER II.
Tie Rev. Mr.. Stubbleworth was very
much pleased with his new situation. Hav-
Ing been transferred from level pine-wood<
country, near the confines OF Florida, the
novelty OF mountain scenery aud pure
bracins atmosphere seemed to Inspire him
with new life. Complmeuting all the
mothers ca the singular beauty and intelli
gence Of their children, with Il delicate al
luslon to their own personal appearance.
he soon became a general tayorlte. MIR.
Stubbleworth ''knew which side of his
bread the butter was on TAo time arriv-
ing for his departure to visit tile tramontane
portion of his pastoral care, he was warned d
Of the dangers he was about to encounter
but they were heard with the same placid
smile. The worthy ladies pictnred % him
''chlmeras dire" sufficient to have abated
the zeal Of any other individual Bat that
gentleman quoted their fears, by appealing
to the power that ''telnpers the wind to the
shorn lamb" with countenance as lamb
like SIS could be imagined. And he depart
ed singing
'At home or abroad, on the land, on the sea,
As thy wants may DEMAND shall thy strength ever be-
They watched him until his portly person
and horse grew dim in the distance, and
turned away, signing that such a good man
should fail lnto the hands Of that mo lister
the blacksmith. Forgeron had heard of his
NAS' 'ASIAhAA' "Au iCJotIou thell iIlo oiA0 t>u u
appearance furnished better subject for his
vengeance than the attenuated frame of the
late parson. Oh, what nice beating he would
have He had heard, too, that some Meth.
odlst preachers were rather spirited, and
hoped this Que mi ght prove so, that he
might provoke him to fight. Knowing the
clergyman must pass on Saturday IL the
afternoon, he gave his striker holiday, and
reclining on bench, regaled himself on the
beauties OF Iom Paine, awaiting the arrival
OF the preacher. 1t was not over an hour
before he heard the words,
'IIow happy are they. who their Savior obey
And have laid up their treasure above"
sung in a full clear voice, and soon the vo-
callst, turning the angle of a rock, rode
leisurely up with conteuted smile on his
face.
"How are you, old slab-sides? Get off
your horse aud join in my devotions?" said
the blacksmith.
81 have many miles to ride" answered
the preacher, "and haven't time my friend ;
III call as return"
'Your name is Stubbleworth, and you
arc the hypocrite the Methodists have sent
here, chi"
"My name is Stubbleworth," he meekly
replied
"Didn't you know my name was Ned
Forgeron the blacksmith, aOhat whips eyery