The Baltimore County union. [volume] (Towsontown, Md.) 1865-1909, 1885-10-31
THE Keeling IN.

ton. "YOu would De shocked, as
was, were I to read you some of the re-
plies that came from my flock of novi-
tiates. Some of them received the Word
in silence and 1 hope they profted much
by it. Others grew abusive. They
charged me with deception and threat
ened me with the law. smiled at
theii threats. Martyrdom was what l
thirsted after. Others took another
method. They brought my earnest
work to the notice of the Postofhce Of
ficials at Washington, and I have had
my letters stopped and am under heavy
bonds to appear for trial in the coming
term of the United States Courts. Ism t
that shameful1 Why, in the two years
that I labored in this vineyard planted
over seventeen thousand messengers of
peace. They were as brands to the
burning. l did no evil that good might
come. Why, my young Christian friend,
I averaged three thousand Testaments
a month for some time"
THE LANDING.
"What did the mail carriers think of
your extensive correspondence"
"They marvelled much at it," was
the reply. "The carrier on my route
used to come in several times during
every forenoon. He always had large
bundle for me, and he'd stand before
my desk as he shuf1ed them off one at
a time murmuring Wood Wood
Wood and SO on for thirty or forty
times. The envelopes often contained
silver, but the postal notes and postage
stamps were most frequently employed.
1t is due to the department to say that
all letters came safely, for l only receiv-
ed two complaints from people who de-
clared that they had sent me money.
The non arrival of those letters may
have been due to misdirection. But |
made them equal sharers in the good
work."
"You sent them copies of the Testa-
mentP"
eyes, indeed, 1 could afford to ex-
pend eight cents without hope of re-
ward occasionally. 1 was modest and
abstemious in my daily life, and 1 may
say, without self glorifcation, that put
$4,000 in the bank during the two years
I dispensed the knowledge that endur-
eth."
care you the person 1 have heard
spoken of by the delivery clerks at the
Postofice, as the Testament Man?"
asked your correspondent.
'It is more than possible that the un-
godly servants of nation that respects
not the humble strivings after righteous
ness of an earnest soul may have given
me such title," the old man answered
with considerable chagrin and mortifi-
cation. "I am proud to bear such a
cross" he went on, though his books
bclleu Ills words.
vINDICTIvE FISH.
"You spoke of the letters you receiv-
ed. Did they ever express gratitude?"
the writer asked innocently.
"Evidently you don't understand the
wickedness of this world, young man. l
am glad, for your sake, that you do not.
Most of the letters to me from the re-
cipient of the books breathed curses
and revilings. 1 would dislike to show
you some of them for fear of shattering
your faith in mankind. Here are bun
die of letters; you can look over them
at your leisure"
A glance at dozen or more showed
that they were nearly all in the same
tone. They were generally on paper
with letter heads, and represented all
professions and trades. Not few were
from young ladies' seminaries. One
from Judge in Kansas was peculiarly
dignifed and caused even my misguided
companion to smile. Here is copy of
"It has been my misfortune, in the
course of my life, too meet good many
dirty and contemplate people. l will
do you the honor to say that, without
exception, you are the dirtieSt and most
contemplate of ALL"
Below was the name, with full title.
Here is another characteristic letter
from a Buffalo gudgeon:
"lNy Dear Ei7ena-I can get the Re-
vised Testament here for twenty-five
cents"
Here is one from Utica, under the
letter head of drug firm:
"Your very valuable book came duly
to hand. AS am going out to Chicago
as a missionary it will be of use to me. !"
Letters from Singapore, Madras,
Mexico and St. Johns, N. F., showed
the wide reach of this scheme. The
captain of Savannah steamer ordered
three copies and guest at the Lafayette
Hotel, in this city, got five for $3.50,
"and never kicked" A lawyer who
signs himself Solomons, threatens to
prosecute the good man if he ever comes
to New York.
"Did you ever meet victim after he
had corresponded with you.
"Well, heard from man at Woon'
socket, R. l., not long ago. He sent
me a large box, express charges collect
s1.2s.' My wife paid the money, ano
when l returned home l opened the
box to find it full of sand. He was
most ungracious fellow"
Here the interview with this remark
able specimen of the crank species end
ed. A visit to the Bible Society, a
Seventh and Walnut streets, verified
Mr.. Woods declaration that he pur
chased several hundred Bibles there
The clerk, a neat Irishman, with quit
business air, told your correspondent
that he remembered the man. He gen
orally paid for the Testaments wit
stamps. Many of the stamps were {,
large denominations, the clerk said
They were highly gratified at the wor
that they believed the stranger to b
doing. 1t was learned at two othe
Bible repositories in this city that tn
same person had also made large pu
chases there. Not few of the Test'
ments came from New York, in add
ton. The trade has been crushed, an
the fools who bought Testaments ca
now turn to the sawdust swindle.