The weekly register. [volume] (Point Pleasant, Va. [W. Va.]) 1862-1909, 1879-10-29
A HAUNTED PREACHER.
by E. D. W.

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tion of Howard county, Missouri, was
thrown into state Of extraordinary
excitement by cause that seemed
wholly inadequate to the production
Of such effect, especially in latitude
situated so fur toward the setting sun.
The phenomenon which attracted
universal attention was neither more
norless than the appearance of a new
Methodist preacher-a circuit-ridcr,
us the name goes in the west, but
one Of Il remarkable person, and of
powers that the superstitious deem
ed almost supernatural.
He was youth who had not seen
more than 20 summers, of about the
medium height, although he looked
much taller from the Slightness of his
make, apparently feeble and delicate
| ly nodded as the form Of a woman
But all his movements even to the
flash of his eye or the wafture Of his
finger in gesliculation, were inefla-
bly, quick. He was possessed ofmany
of the graces which are usually sup.
posed to constitute feminine beauty.
His slender figure. was a model for
the arts Of sculpture and painting.
His face was an admirable oval, soft
and sweet in its expression while in
a state 1oftreposcs although. when
aroused by any strong emotion it
could assume a look Of stcrnness or
of passion absolutely appalling. His
eyes were large, bcan,ing, and pierc-
ing, sothat when on fire with sud.
den wrath not many of even the
bravest would feeIat case while en-
counteung their fierce flashes Of in
expressible defiance, for they plainly
dared alt things, not leaving out
death itself. One drawback must be
made from the exquisite character of
his portrait; his complexion alto
gether lacked color when not illun-
mated BY some excitement capable
Of pouring the blood from the heart
in boiling torrents, His features,
it is true, did not have the unnatur-
al and subducd hue of ill-health, but
rather the transparent palcncss, so
rare and delicate, which indicates
lofty thoughts, such as "wandcr
through eternity" pcrscyering and
studious vigils over the rays of the
midnight lamp, and infinite long.
ings, such as no human language can
hope to express, for the ideal of all,
the immense, the unknown, the faith
omless mystery which we seek forcv.
er, but never find.
shall not forget, even should my
life be protracted for ages, the first
time that had an opportunity of
seeing and hearing this Western
prodigy. 1t was ut the town of Fay
i
cite, in the county previously mem
toned. The large court house was
used as a place of temporary worship,
and, not long before the appointed
hour, it had been crowded to its ut.
most capacity, while hundreds, una
BILE to gain admission, hung aroupd
the door and windows, determining
to get glimpse, or catch at least a
tone, of the wonderful orator, whose
fame was on cverybody's tongue.
Several preachers were on the plat
form, and among the dense throng
arose the low murmur, made up of a
thousand eager whispers-"Which is
Ellis?" (Which is the new Whit
feld?" (Which is he?" And the
general conclusion of those who had
never seen the object of their curios.
ity appeared to be that aiinely::fo
ed, middle-agcd person, with a ruddy
complexion and shining bald head,
was the man, The inference grew
stronger when tho individual de-
scribcd arose, gave out hymn, and
kneeling, uttered an extcmporan-
eous prayer of considerable fluency
and unbounded forvor. However,
upon the whole, the congregation felt
a keen disappointment, The effort
did not in any degree correspond
with the grandeur Of their prccon'