The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1869-07-29

All CnlS came 10 tile cars VI I0ISCIoA,t "loA
such embellishments as stories usually receive
in passing to a third person. It would be as use
less to attempt to describe mountain storm
as to picture the wrath Of this mountalneer
But if we cannot portray the storm, the con
sequences may be easily told. The black
smith swore in his wrath that he would whiT
every Methodist preacher that passed the
gap in revenge Of his insult. Ia 30
Forgeron was man of his wcrd, as the
bruised features of many Of John Wesley's
disciples could testify. His character soou
went abroad; and the good old matrony Of
the surrounding counties on each side OF the
mountain trembled at his name. In short
the mountain pass, which was really as 70.
mantle place as a landscape painter would
seek for picture and was just the srot to
remind youth fresh from the classic studies
Of the place where Leonidas and his three
hundred Spartans fell attempting to defend
Greece against the army of Xerxes-in de-
spite of the grandeur Of its -beetling cliffs,
and the beauty of its verdure, was associated
in the minds of many pious persons, with the
broad gate that leads to destruction. And
Ned Forgeron, the handsome blacksmith, was
invested with the attributes and hldeous
aspect of his Satanic majesty, by many a
mountain girl who would doubtless have fall
en- in love at first sight with him under any
other name. The preacher whose circuit lay
on either side Of the mountain at the time
Ned's direful edict was promulgated to the
world, was.a meek and lowly man, who ap-
preached nearly in his natural disposition to
willing obedience to the mandate, relative to
turning the cheek to the smiter. The poor
soul passed many sleepless nights, in view Of
the fate that awaited him at the mountain
pass In his dream. he saw Forgeron with a
huge sledge hammer in hand, 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 tilnid man but withal de-
voutly impressed with a sense Of duty, he
resolved to discharge his duty 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 shovel, and singing away to the
tune Of "Clear the Kitchen" ..s "a.
s.oh, Georgia is noble State,
Her laws are good her people great !"
On catching glimpse OF. the poor parson,
who had fattercd himself that he was about
to pass with IMMUNITY, Ned sang out-'stop,
there, YOU eternal shadbelly. and pay the
penalty Of an injured reputation The
holy man protested innocence of having ever
intentionally injured him by word or deed.
The mans subdued looks and earnest voice
had half dissuaded Ned from his stern pur-
pose, when the giggling from his sutherland
the cheering Of two or three idlers, neiVed
him to do what he felt was mean. Let any
one pause a moment and reflect il he has
never been urged on to acts his conscience
smote him for by the opinions Of others, be-
fore Mr.. Forgeron is judged. The preacher
received several boxes on his ears, and heard
many denunciations against his seat before
he was permitted to depart; and when that
permission was received, he..was not slow IN
availing himself of its privilege.
Attic next annual conference when cir
cults we're assigned to the different preachers
this one made his appearance punctually, but
by some process of casuistry convinced him
self that his duty did not call for repetition
of his suferings Whether he was too SEN
sitive Of the blacksmiths character to expose
it to rude remark, or had preference that
some worthier brother should occupy that
healthy station among the mountains is diff
cult to conjecture. "a
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. It soon became the subject Of an
mated conversation, there was no little WING
ing, each one fearing it would be his cruel
fate to be sent victim to appease the wrath
Of this human Minotaur against the Metho-
dist church.
After time it was decreed that the Rev.
Mr.. Stubbleworth was the doomed individu-
al, and when the annunciation came, many
an eye Of mingled pity and curiosity was
turned on his ruddy good naturcd face, to see
how the disponsation was borne; but not
muscle moved With a quiet smile he pro-
fessed perfect willingness to go where he
was sent. He was clay in the hands OF the
potter he said. If he piqued himself on a
stolid Indifference to the blacksmith's pun
melings, or if he relied on his ample dimen
sions to protect himself, he never disclosed it,
but appeared as selfsatisfed and content as
eyer. His predecessor looked for all the
world like a mouse just escaped from the
fangs Of some terrible grimalkin. p =
Mr.. Subbleworth arranged his sublunary
affairs, and bidding his friends adieu, mount
cd 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. 9 t.
The Rev. Mr. Stubbleworth was very much
please dwith his new situation. Having been
transferred from level pine-woods country,
near the confines of Florida, the novelty Of
mountain scenery and pure bracing atmos
phere seemed to inspire him with new life.
Comphmenting all the mothers on the singu-
lar beauty and intelligence Of their children,
with delicate allusion to their own personal
appearance, he soon became a gen
eral favorite Mr.. Stubbleworth knew which
side of the bread the butter was on" The
time arriving for his departure to visit the
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS of his pastoral care, he
was warned Of the dangers he was about te
encounter; but they were heard with tho
same placid smiled The worthy ladies pict
ured to him the 'chimeras Dire sufficient t.
have abated the zeal of any other individual
But that gentleman quieted their fears b.
appealing to the power that 'tempers the wine
to the shorn lamb, with a countenance a
lamb-like as could be imagined. And he de
parted singing, ag
ssAt thy home or aboard. on the land, or the sea