Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1885-12-25
FoR The VERMONT PHGNIr.
Muss have - Hell for hIs sha,taeL.,

|
ma. Ph9nt1:-The current discussion
ABOUT the New Version Bible, in which 'Sheor
and its various interpretations have a promi-
nent place, and the recent enlargement and
general improvement Of the Uniyersalist
church editioe in this village and the mark ed
vigor and prosperity OF the society under the
faithful ministration Of its present earnest
and much esteemed pastor, give pertinence 10
the subioined narrative and anecdote.
FOR forty years preceding 1860, or therea-
oouh, Eliphaz Johnson. "Old blind johnson. Z"
as be was commonly oalled-was q familiar
inquire in this locality. He was a queer COM
pound Of sense and nonsense, of shreWd cum.
ming and half idiocy, in about equal proper
tons. Those OF our citizens whose memories
go back to any part Of the period named will
readily recall his tall, thin, bent form ana
shambling gait as, half blind, he went peer
ing about our streets and by-ways, stat In
hand, repeating from door to door his rhymes
and Jingles, some Of which had both pith and
sharp application, In return for which small
donations in food, cast OF clothing or money
were always expected. In this way he picked
up the scanty pittanoe on which he subsisted.
always sturdily, and even angrily, resisting
all suggestions that he should become a per-
manent guest OF the town. Ia the main.
when not provoked, he was q harmless and
inofensive, tho an irascible and uhWAsbed
oid mendlcant, with exceedingly vigorous
personal likes and dislikes. His unbounded adj
mration for and confidence in the Hon James
Elliot, esquire Ellet," as he called bim) Who
was, or recently had been, q member OF Con.
gress from this district, whose lightest word
was both law and gospel 10 johnson, was an
instance OF the former while the latter found
energetic expression in his utter detestation
OF the Shattucks, large family of bows
and girls then living on High street, who In
spirit OF trolic and mischief were accus.
toned to poke fun at and annoy him beyond
MS powers of endurance, insomuoh that he
finally came to hate each particular hair ON
their several heads with an Intensity thai
knew no limits. So much by way of preface.
When the UniveTsalists first began to hold
meetings in this village and TO discuss plans
Tor erecting house Of Worship johnson.
who had been brought up q rigid Presbyte.
rian, was greatly wrought up about It. For
weeks and months 1t was the daily, almost
hourly theme Of his discourse and denuncis.
ton. He maintained vigorously that the
civil authorities ought 10 take the matter In
hand and crush out the pestilsnt movement
by the strong arm of law, and not permit
these false teachers to lead the unwary astray
and 80 to perdition. On one occasion. after
giving utterance to his customary denuuoia-
lions, IN his quaint manner and language he
seemed TO soften somewhat, saying, in a so
h'oquizing tone But Squire Jim Ellet he's
Univarseler, and IL Squire Ellet is Uni.
VarseleI, there must be suthen tew it ; there
mgst-be-suthen-teo-it." Instantly an
other thought appeared TO strike him, when.
stretching his tall form to its utmost height
ungovernable wrath shooting from every Tea.
turs and angularity of his qulverinR face and
frame, he shouted But II UnfpdrsakisDl q
true, uen there ant no HE'LL for them SHAT |
TUoKs 7"
II is needless 10 add that thenceforward.
even unto the day OF his death, his loyalty TO |
the faith OF his fathers never faltered. And
herein poor old blear-eyed, hAlf-witted John |
son typihes the human race. All man have
their Shattuoks and every unreRenerate son |
OF Adam, however little use he may have for |
"bheol' for himself and friends, takes solid
comfort In the thought that place has been
provided where his own particular ''shat-
tueks" will hnd II hot 3D.