Centre Democrat. [volume] (Bellefonte, Pa.) 1848-1989, 1883-08-09
DEADLY POLITENESS.

a YOUNG PREACHERS EXPERIENCE
ON THE MISSISSIPPI RIVER.
Nearly every man who ever travel
ed on the Mississippi river in the old
days can relate Al Interesting expe-
rience," said the Rev. Mr.. Jackson, a
minister whose reputation as an i'm
passioned orator has gone beyond the
boundaries cf Arkansas There was
something about a Mississippi river
experience that tended to aid in vivid
reproduction. The grand floating
drawing rooms, the wealth displayed
at every turn. and the studied polite
ness and conventional ceremony Of
supposed good breeding which you
everywhere meet, all come up at once
In reportrayal of a character which,
thus surrounded, you have contem-
plated. But all of this polteness and
exhibition of good breeding, | must
say, was but the white foam on
muddy water. 1t was the courtesy
That could grasp the hand of a new
Acquaintance or shoot an old friend.
"In the spring Of 1850 boarded a
grand steamer at New Orleans bound
for up the river, | was a very young
preacher at that time, and was under
orders TO repair To a small community
and assist in conducting a revival.
There was something Of a war being
waged between two churches, and il
stood our church in hand to concen-
trates forces or loose ascendency in the
neighborhOod These were the days
Of political and religious yigor. and
Ryowed opposition in religious contests
was regarded as being no more out Of
place and in ill-keeping with the faith
than the fierce struggles engaged in
by the Wings and Democrats. | was
told at headquarters that another
young preacher would be sent To assist
me, and that If / needed more help to
make my demands known at once.
When | boarded the boat | looked
around for my companion-in-arms,
whose name even / had not learned.
The closest search failed to discover
my assistant, and concluding that he
had either preceded or would come
after me, dismissed the matter and
settled down to the quiet enjoyment
of the occasion.
There was quite number of gam
blers-polished gentlemen board.
and although l was opposed to gam
bling. l could not refrain from looking
on and contemplating with what seren-
ity Of countenance the gamblers
parted with thousands of dollars"
won't you take a hand?' asked
one of the players one evening, ad-
dressing a young, pleasant-looking
gentleman who stood near.
al never play he remarked.
"Won't do you any harm
al know it won't for | don't intend
TO play
"'The gentleman Is rare joker. re-
piled a tall man, who handled cards
with an ease and lost with a goodwill
that almost challenged respect.
Yes replied the young gentle
man. "a rare joker, because it is rare
that I joke
"Ah, and a punster,' said the
tall man, relinquishing $1,000 with a
smile.
"It makes little difference to you
what / am. / came here to quietly
look on, not intending to engagein the
game or the conversation; and, espec-
tally, not to be the butt of any jokes
that might arise from ill-luck or sue.
cess at the table. Regardless Of the
business you follow, hope that you
are well enough acquainted with the
manners of gentlemen to treat an un
obtrusive locker on with civility, II
not with courtesy
"'You speak well,' exclaimed thu
tall man. 4 hope that am gentle
man of good birth and education. ant
1 hope that have not insulted you
II I have, sincerely beg your pardon
Grant It willingly. and all win be well