Norfolk day book. [volume] (Norfolk and Portsmouth Va.) 1868-1880, 1869-08-04

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charge his duties faithfully be
the consequences what they
might. Like lambs going to
the slaughter did he wend 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,
i Oh Georgia is a noblelState,
Her laws are good her people great.
| On catching a glimpse Of the
poor parson who had fattered
himself that he was about to
pass with impunity, Ned sang
out stop, there, you eternal
shadbelly, and pay the penalty
| Of an injured reputation !! The
holy man protested innocence
of having eyer Intentionally
injured him by word or deed,
The mans subdued looks
and earnest voice had half dis
suaded Ned from his stern pur-
pose, 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 a moment
and reflect if he, has never been
urged on to acts his conscience
smote him for by the opinions
of others, before Mr.. Forgeron
is Judged. The preacher re-
ceived several boxes on his
ears, and heard many denunci-
ations against his feet before he
was permitted to depart, and
when that permission was re-
ceived, he was not slowin avail
ing himself of its privilege. d
At the next annual confer
ence when circuits were assign
ed to the different preachers
this one made his appearance
punctually, but by some pro-
cess of casuistry convinced him.
self that his duty did not call
for repetition of his suffer-
ings. Whether he was d too
sensitive of the dblacksmlth's
character to expose it to rude
remark, or had a preference
that some wortbier brother
fshould occupy that healthy
Station among the mountains is
difficult to conjecture. sau saI
y But Forgeron's reputation.
had extended beyond the orr
cult, and was done ample and
severe justice to by others who
had heard of his fame. It soon
became the subject of animated
conversation, there was no lit
tie wincing, each one fearing
lit would be his cruel fate to be
lsent a victim to appease the
wrath of this human Minotaur
against the Methodist Church.
After a time it was decreed
that the Rev. MI. Stubble-
worth was the doomed individ.
ual, and when the annunciation
came, many an eye of mingled
pity and curiosity was turned
on his ruddy goodnatured face,
to see how the dispensation was
borne !; but not a muscle moved.
With quiet smile, he profess
cd a perfect willingness to go
| where he was sent. He was
'clay in the hands ofthe pot
ter, he said. If he piqued
| himself on stolid Indifference
to the blacksmith s pummel-
/ ings, or if he relied on his am
pie dimensions to protect him
self, he never disclosed it, but
lappeared as self satisfied and
content as ever. His predeces-
sor looked for all the world like
a mouse just escaped from the
| fangs of some terrible grimal-
kin. q
i Mr.. Stubbleworth arranged
his few sublunary affairs, and
bidding his friends adieu, noun
ted his old roam and departed
for his new home of trials, with
a 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 con-
fines of Florida, the novelty of
,, mountain scenery and a pure
bracing atmosphere seemed to
. inspire him with new life
Complimenting all the mothers
on the singular beauty and in
!, telligence oftheir children, with