Northwest enterprise. [volume] (Anacortes, Wash. Ter.) 1882-1887, 1883-07-14
A STORY OF 1850.
A Very Young Preachers Experience on
the Mississippi Riycr--How Quiet
Man Got Away with Capt. Afcle.

old days can relate an interesting ex-
perience." said the Rev. NJ. Jackson,
q minister whose reputation as an
imprisoned public orator has gone
beyond the boundaries OF Arkansas.
There was something about a Mis-
sissippi river experienceithat tendedto
aid in vivid reproduction. The grand
floating drawing rooms, the wealth
displayed at every turn, and the
studied politeness and conventional
ceremony of u supposed good breed
ing which you everywhere meet, all
come up at once in a reportrayal of
character which. thus surrounded.
you have contemplated. But all Of
this politeness and exhibition of good
breeding, l must say, was but the
white foam on muddy water. 1t was
the courtesy that could grasp the
hand of new acquaintance or shoot
an old friend.
IN the Spring of 1850 boarded
q grand steamer at New Orleans
bound for up the river l was a very
young preacher at that time, and was
under orders to repair small COM
munity and assist in conducting re-
vival. There was something Of a war
being waged between two churches,
and it stood our church in hand to
concentrate forces or lose ascendancy
in the neighborhocd. These were
the days of political and religious
vigor, and avowed opposition in re-
hgious contests WAS regal ded as being
no more ont of place or in i'll keeping
with the faith than the fierce strug-
giles engaged in by the Wings and
Democrats. l was told at the head
quarters thai another young preacher
would be sent to assist me, and that
if l needed more help to make my
demands known at once. When l
boarded the boat ! looked around for
10Y compauion-in arms, whose name
l even had not learned. The closest
search failed to discover my assistant,
and concluding that he had either
preceded or would come after rue. /
dismissed the matter and settled
down to the quiet enjoyment of the
occasion.
"There were quite a number Of
gamblers-polisLed gentlemen - on
board, and although | was opposed
to gamblers. could not refrain from
looking on and contemplating with
what serenity of countenance the
players alternately parted with thou
sands of dollars.
"'Won't you take a hand?' asked
one of the players one evening, ad-
dressing young. pleasant looking
gentleman who stood near.
~ never play he remarked.
"'Won't do any harm
~ know it won't. for l don't in
tend to play
1.-The gentleman is rare Joker
replied tall man, who handled cards
with an ease and lost with q good
will that almost challenged respect
"-Yes.' replied the young gentle
man, "a rare joker because it is rare
that I joke
"Ah, and punster,' said the tall
man, relinquishiEg $1,000 with a
smile.
"'It makes little difference to you
what I am, came here to quietly
look on, not intending to engage in
the game or the conversation, and,
especially, not to be the butt of any
Jokes that might arise from i'll luck
or success at the table. Regardless
of the business you follow, l hope
that you are we'll enough acquainted
with the manners of gentlemen to
treat an unobtrusive looker-on with
civility, if not with courtesy
"'You speak WE'LL exclaimed the
tall man. L hope that I am gentle
man of good birth and education, and
l hope that ! have not insulted you.
If have, 7 sincerely beg your par
don. Grant it willingly, and all will
be well; reluctantly, and. as n gentle
man, which you undoubtedly profess
to be, you know your recourse
"'But fer your last remark, l would
have heartily forgiven yon of any in
tention to insult me. As it is, I do
not grant pardon, realizing that a
gentleman is not expected to have
dealings with such man as you.
And, furthermore, let me say that l
regard you as a cowardly villain
The tall man sprang to his feet
and drew a bowie knife. The quiet
man did not even look at him.
"'Take that back, or I'll rub your
heart over you face!
Everyone arose, but no one felt
disposed to prevent bloodshed.
II said I regarded you as cow
ardly villain. Keep cool and Ill tell
you why. While we were engaged
in insinuating conversation, / saw you
steal a roll of bills from that man.
pointing to one of the players. I'm
til then, and but for the remark you
made trying to compel cheerful
granting Of pardon, l was disposed
to pay little attention to anything
you might say. Now, sir. l have
made my statement. l have been led
into this, and ! may regret the con-
sequences-don't hold him--but I
shall make no CONCESSIONS
The tall mans eyes actually
glared. 1 have killed five men. and
oil for less than this he exclaimed.
Get out of the way! I'll cut him in
twop
"'Get out of the wayv said the
quiet mar. 1t would greatly please
me if he were to sit down and con-
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