Nevada County picayune., 1886-03-10
"Blue Dick" the Ferryman.

at some point on the Ohio river, where it was necessary for him to cross frequently. The first night of his meeting he went down to the river but found only the ferry man to be poor, ragged, besotted wretch, no hat on his head, his hair matted, his whole person filthy in the extreme, and giving evidence that he was even then under tiIc influence of drink. His appear ance was so forbidding and his condition such that he was doubt ful as to whether it would be safe to entlust himself in frail skif with snch d ferryman. ard had there been any other and safer means of getting across, he would have availcd himself of it. But there was no other chance, and with some urisgivings as to the re- stfst. he entered 1he boat. lie soon found that, though under the influence of liquor, he knew how to manage his skff, and feeling at ease on the matter, he began to talk with him. He asked him his name.
 "Blue Dick,r was tie reply.
 "-nut," said Shaw. "that IS not really your name?'
 "Weli," said he, eff have any other, it has been so long since l heard il, 1 have almost forgotten what it is"
 Changing the subject, the evan gelist abruptly asked;
 "Why don't you quit drinkings7
 q can't" said the poor wretch.
 "Yes, you can,' replied Shaw.
 Wondering that a stran ger should take any interest in him, he said:
 "Mister, do you think l couldF
 "Of course you can." said Shaw in kind and assuring manner.
 The poor fellow sat for time in silence. It was long since any word of sympathy, interest or eu- couragement had fallen upon his ear, and the kind words of the stranger reacAed the heart which ali lis ncighbors thought had ccas- ed to feel. Deeply moved, he looked up and said, earnestly:
 "SiiSter, do you really think l could quit drinhiug?"
 "Iave you wife aud children?" asked MT. Shaw.
 In voice choked with emo- tion, and weeping bitterly, lIe said he had.
 The way was now open. Shaw told him he was a preacher, and asked him to come and hear hlm.
 "Why," said he, you would not let such a one as ne come, and if you were willing, others would not like to see ne theIe."
 Shaw urged him to come, assur- ed him that he would be welcome; that ir stead of being out of the reach of mercy, that it was such as he that Jesus came 10 sav... Tenderly and earnestly he besought him to change his course, until the poor ferryman began to think that there might be hope even for him.
 On reaching the other side Shaw paid him his fare, and, as he did so, he pointed 10 a saloon that WAS near, and said;
 "I do not like the idea of .his money going to such place as that. Can't you promise me that you will not drink any tonight, and l will come back, and you shall take me over the river again.'
 Blue Dick gave the required promise and they parted, the preacher going to the house Of God, and the ferryman, with emo tions suuh as lad not stirred in his heart for years, standing in deep thought by tie rapid river under the watching stars.
 After meeting, Brother Shaw went down to the river, found Blue Dick waiting for him, show ing by his manner that he had kept his promise not to drink. He gave him few words of encour- agement and obtained his promise that he would come and hear him preach the following night. Great was the astonishmeut of many to see Blue Dick at church, and great CT still to see the preacher, who had seen hm come in and drop in- to the first empty seat that he