River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1875-07-16
PREPARATORY BAPTISM.
from the vicksburg Herald.l

fhEFdhdIOh1 DAf IIOM.
From the Vioksburg Herald.l
He is an industrious colored man, liv.
ing in small cabin down the river, and
his wife is a corpulent, good.natured
woman, but very deaf.
Some weeks ago Reuben began to pom.
der. He had never been bad niger,
but he had never embraced Christianity,
much to the sorrow of Aunt Susan, his
wife, who has been prepared for heaven,
10! these many years past. The more
he pondered the more he became con-
WINGED that he ought to become a Chris.
tan, and Aunt Susan encouraged him
with ten er words and fearful eyes.
The old man came to town several
days ago to see about joining church,
and was informed that be would have to
be baptized before he could become a
member. He didn't relish the idea much
but he informed his wife that he would
consent, and she clasped her hands and
replied:
'Glory to Richmond-de angels am a
comin!"
Uncle Reuben got the idea the other
day that he'd like to try the water alone
before being publicly baptized, and, while
his wife was getting breakfast ready, he
slipped down to the river bank to take a
preparatory dip. lie removed his coat,
hat and boots, placed them on log, and,
as he descended the bank, his broad feet
slipped and the convert came down on
the back Of his neck.
"What the debbil--p he COM
menced, as he picked himself up. but,
suddenly remembering that he was soon
to join the church, he checked himself
and remarked:
"Im ashamed of dat, and / hope de
angels will 'scuse me m
He put one foot into the water, drew
back with shiver. put in the other, and
looked longingly towards the house. At
that moment Aunt Susan began singing
yves gwine up to glory;
| Yves gwine ON de cars !"
And old Reuben braced up and enter
ed the water.
"Yes, we's gwine up to gloryp he re-
marked as he waded along-''gwine on
de fast express J" at the next step his foot
struck sunken log, and he pitched over
it and under water head first. As soon
as he came to the surface and blew the
WAGER from his mouth, he yelled:
"Woosh what in blazes is this yere
performance "
In raising up, his foot slid over the log
and under a limb in such manner that
the old darkey was caught fast. He
could hang to a stub of a limb, but he
could not pull himself forward enough to
slip his foot out of the trap.
"Whar's de angels now" he yelled
out. as he kicked the water higher than
his head.
Aunt Susan answered with
"De angels are a-comin
hear the music playp
When the old man realized that he was
fast, and must have help from the shore,
he yelled ont:
"Hoi dere, old woman hi -
She couldn't have heard a cannon fired
on the bank Of the river, and went on
singing:
"Dere's seat for me In Heaven
| Use gwine TO jine the band !"
eli |! dere-I'll jine yer old black head
off if ye don't hear mel" yelled old Reu
ben.
He struggled and kicked, got his head
under water and out, and yelled:
"Cuss dat ole woman why don't she
hear mel"
"Uncle Reube's a-gwine
To be an angel, shop
came the song.
"It's lie-a big debbil ep no yelled,
pulling his head under water again.
"And he'll fly among de angels,
And play up. harpp
continued the old woman as she turned
over the bacon.
Hi dere-woosh whoopm he yell.
ed, Aoundering around, pulling at his
leg.
'De Lawd has got his name,
And dere is place for him !"
| howled the old woman.
"Angels be cussed ..whoa dere, you
ole black villum !" yelled uncle RUDE.
"Dey'll dress him up in white,
Wild crown upon his brow"
walled Aunt Susan as she poured the
water off the potatoes.
"lf ebber git out o. dis ribber alive,
I'll break her old deaf head, will ~
growled the victim, and then raising his
voice he shouted:
"You dere, old Satan-..hi hi" AS il
in direct answer, came the song:
'He struggles wild de evil one,
But he gained the vict'ry, shore |"
"Susan..-ole cuss Susau...if had ye
by de wool I'd barry dat ole deaf head
agin the cabin till yer eyes couldh't see J
he screamed, and he made another tire.
mendous effort to get loose. II was sue.
cessful, and just then she sang:
"0h whar's de angel Low,
Send him long send him long ~
''De angel am comm J" growled
Uncle Reuben, as he waded ashore, "and
he'll turn that cabin inside out y
lie limped up TO the house. She was
placing the meal on the table and sing
ing:
"Hes gwine 10 be baptized
He's gwine - -"
When he entered the house he gave
her cuff on the ear, which nearly
loosened he roots Of her hair.
"0h yes, lie an angel wild wings on,
is !" he yelled, as he brought her another
cuff. land lie gwine TO glory-and III