The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1875-07-30
TORY B4PTISM.

wife is corpulent, good-natured woman,
but very deaf.
/ Some weeks ago Reuben began to ponder,
| He had never been a bad nigger, but he
had never embraced Christianity, mach -
! the sorrow of Aunt Susan, his wife, who has
been prepared for heaven, 10 these many
| years past. The more he poudered the
more he became convinced that he ought
| to become Christian, and Aunt Susan
encouraged him with tender words and
/ fearful eyes.
The old man came to town several days
ago TO see about Joining church, and was
informed that he woald have to be baptized
! before he could become a member. He
didn't relish the idea very 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 90
| 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
| preparatory dip. He removed his coat, hat
and boots, placed them OF log, and, as he
descended the bank, his broad feet slipped
and the convert came down on the back of
his neck:
"What de 1eb5il-!r' he commenced as
he picked himself up; but, suddenly re-
mcmboring that he was to join thechurch,
he checked himself and remarked
'1'm ashamed of dat, and l hope de an
| gels will 'scuse me ~
He put one foot into the water, drew
back with a shiver, put in the other, and
looked longingly toward the house. At
that moment Amt Susan began singing
IVES ewihe up to glory
| Wes gwine on de cars
And old Reuben braced Up and entered
the water.
eyes, we's gwfne up to glory - he re-
marked as he waded along-'gwine on de
fast express %
At .he next Step his foot struck slihken
log, and lie pitched over It and Kinder wa
ter head first. As soon as lle carae to the
surface and blew the water from his mouth
he yelled
"Woosh what in blazes is dis yei per-
formance ?''
In rising up, hfs foot slid over a log and
under limb in such manner that the old
darlzey was caugh. fast. He could hang to
the stub of a limb, but he could not pull
himself forward enough to slip his foot ont
of the trap.
"Whar's de angels now e. he yelled out
as he kicked the water higher than his head.
| Aunt onSworad
| 'De angels are a-cofnin'
hear de music piay?"
When the old man realized that he was
he yelled out
"Ho dare, old woman-hi -
She coulon t have heard cannon fired
on the bank of the river, and went On sing
ing
t'Dare's a seat for me in Heaven
Use gwine to jine de band -
"Ii dare -Tll jine yer old black head
off if yer don't hear me - yelled ole Reu-
ben.
He struggled and kicked, got his head
under water and out, and yelled
| ''Chss dat old woman +! why don't she
hear ME 81
|
To be angel, sho :"
came the song.
sIt's a lie-a big debbil lie - he yelled,
pulling his head under water again.
"And he'll fly among de angels,
And play upon harp!
continued the old woman as she turned over
the bacon.
eli tare-woosh ,Thoop ~ he yelled,
flounderng arotind and Pulling at his leg.
ODE Lawd has got his name,
And dere is place for him -
howled the old woman.
sAngels be cussed-wboa dar, you old
black villum ~ yelled uncle Rcubo.
"Dey'il dress him up i'm white
| Wild crown upon his brow!
walled aunt Susan as she poured the water
off the potatoes.
..If ebber git otit of dis ribber alive,
III break her old deaf head, / will ~
growiei the victim, and then raising his
voice he shouted
ssYou dar, old Satan-hi hi - AS if i'll
direct answer came the song,
"He struggles wild de evil one,
But he'll gain de victry, shure!'
sSusan-old cuss Susan-if | had ye by
de weol I'd bang dat ole head agin de
cabin till yer eyes couldn't seep' he scream
ed, and he made another tremendous effort
to get loose. 1t was successful, and just
then she sang
''Oh whar's oe angel now,
Send him 'loug--send him long!
''De angel am comm p growled Uncle
Reuben as he waded ashore-''an' he II
turn dat cabin inside out y
/. He limped up to the house. She was
placing the meal on the table singing,
"He's gwine to be baptized
He's
Then he entered the house and gave hel
a cuff on the ear, which nearly loosene6