The Marietta journal. [volume] (Marietta, Ga.) 1866-1909, 1871-12-22
CHE Marietta gonrnal.
Marietta, Georgia, December 20, 1871
RAISING THE DEVIL
A pREACHER'S STRATEGY.

HIShl, HlSlN W III Iuc sun WI"
fright; the thunder pealed, the
lightning flashed, the wild boasts
squealed and the elements clashed,
while the rain from above in tor
rents dashed, when a poor preacher
of the gospel wendell his way
! through the dismal intricacies Of a
western forest many years ago.
The poor man felt anything but
comfortable, for he was wet through
to the skin and almost tired to death.
He had been tramping about since
morning, besides he had lost his way
so that the reader can imagine what
state of mind he was in, and also s,p-
preciatc the sudden transition from
despair to hope which he experience
ed ON seeing the glimmer ef light
ahead. He quickened his f-gging
footsteps and soon came up to the
light, which issued from the only
window of solitary log cabin in
the forest.
Remembering the scriptural in
junction "knock and it shall be
opened unto YOU" he did so; but
without meeting with any response.
He raped again, louder than before,
and this timo gruff female yOics
asked:
"Who's there Z"
dts |" was the indefinite reply
of our rain soaked parson.
"Well, who are you and what do
you want z" asked the voice gruffer
than before.
IA poor, benighted preacher of
the gospel who has lost his way,
and who wishes 10 stay here to-
night" answered the parsOn, in a
dolorous voice.
swell, stay there-I don't see
what's to hinder YOU"
"But lam almost starved, and will
pay you literally for some supper"
he responded chattering with cold
and not in the least approaching the
joke.
The words "liberally pay" acted
like open sesame, and after few
moments of delay, caused by the un-
fastening of the door, it was opened
and our pastor entered.
He found himself in arough apart
ment with large fire place at one
end, on which great log fire was
blazing; a rough deal table and
three chairs, besides box filled with
dry flax, comprised its furniture.
But all minor deficiencies seemed
to be made up by the lady Of the
house, for she was fully .ix feet in
height and weighed nigh unto three
hundred pounds.
After having placed some food on
the table she turned to the parson,
who stood shivering before the fire.
"Now, | want you to eat this
grub as quick as you know how, and
then tramp, for its perfectly impossi-
bic for me to keep you here over
night"
"But, my good woman" said the
parson, anxiously, 81 shall perish in
this Indictment weather; have been
wandering in this fearful storm since
morning, and if you will have any
compassion or pity at all you will
try and give me some place where |
can be sheltered from this storm for
the night" and he offered her five
dollar bill.
"Well" said the woman, avaric-
iously clutchinS the money, eff you
think you can stay in the garnet,
may be you can stay but hurry up
for expect my husband home every
minute, and it's as much as your life
is werth if he should find you here,
for he's very devil incarnatc, and
would think no more of numbering
you than he would of shooting a griz-
ely y
The woman produced short lad
der as she spoke and babe the par
son get up in the garnet.
There was a small drop or trap
door in the ceiling, which raised of
its own accord on the parsons head
pressing it upward and not without
some difficulty he managed to
squeeze himself through the aper-
ture.
After he was up, the woman told
him to shut the trap and not to make
any noise for his life, and then TAX
ing the ladder away, the parson was
left to his own reflections.
Wet and uncomfortable as he was,
his fatigue was such that he had al
most fallen asleep, when he was dis
turbed by some ones knocking at
the door.
Being nnwhat curious TO know