West Virginia Democrat. [volume] (Charles Town, W. Va.) 1885-1890, 1888-04-20

flock. Now, 1t is necessary that q
politician should know the religious
faith of those with whom he is
s'lectioneering' for votes. II he
can't chime in with it exactly he
mustn't say anything 'agin' it.
"Now," said Vance, when / got
over into the valley to meet my ap-
pointment, l found about seventy.
five of the humble sovereigns gath
ed at the crossroads, where there
was little store and a wagon-shop
and a meeting house. They had on
their home made clothes and were
standing around chawing tobacco
and talking about craps and wait
ing for me to come. ] soon got IA
miliar with them and got them in
first-rate humor, but as Holden was
to come over in day or two ! want
ed to fix things in some way so that
he could'ent unfix them. Holden
was Methodist and / was afraid
that these people were. / noticed
an old man sitting off on a chunk
and marking in the sand with his
long walking-stick. He had on
big brass spectacles, and his heavy
shaggy eyebrows and big long nose
indicated character, and 30 / set him
down as the pell-wether of the flock.
After while 1 got up close to him
and was about to address him when
he gave prayerful grunt and got
up and braced himself on his stick
and looking at me said in solemn
voice, This is Mr.. Vance, 1 be-
lieve,' "Yes, SIR said /, giving him
my hand. 'And I am Emanual Ste
nor, said he, and Isuppose you
have come over the mounting to talk
to my boys about their votes Yes,
SIR said /, that is my principal
business and r We'll, Mr..
Vance, said he, interrupting me;
before you proceed any further with
that business, / would like to ak you
a question or two Certainly SIR
said 1; certainly Well, Mr..
Vance, allow me to AK you what
church do you belong to ?
"Well, that was sockdologer,and
it came right straight at me, and for
a moment 1 was demoralized, but l
rallied, and as the boys had all gather
ed around to hear the old man put
me through, / cleared my throat
and said: That is fair question,
my friend; fair question, and 1
will tell you about that. Ny grand
father came from England, and as
over there the Established Church
was Episcopalian, of course he was
no Episcopalian.
II paused a moment to see the eff
feet of this, but there was none that
was favorable. The old man mark
ed little more in the sand, and spit
his tobacco away off one side. So
continued: But my grandmother
came from Scotland, and you know
that John Knox left his mark upon
that whole nation, and so, ofcourse,
she grew up a Presbyterian ]
paused again, but there was no sigh,
no awakening, no chord struck, and
the old man marked some more in
the sand. But, my friend, my faith
er was born and grew up in a Meth
odist community, who were in this
country, and converted by John
Wesley, and, of course, he became a
Methodist / thought that now l
had him sure, but / didn't. There
was no sign of sympathy from him
or the boys, and so / took my last
shot. But my good old mother. sir,
was born and raised Baptist, and
it's always been my opinion that a
man has got to 60 under the water
before he can get to heaven A
CLEAN of satisfaction spread all over
the old mans face as he said: Give
me your hand, Brother Vance.
Boys, told you SO; told you that
he were a Baptist afore he come.
He is the man. You can all vote
for him, but Holden won't do nary,
time, for they do say that he is one
of these shouten, cavertin' Metho-
dists.'"
q -T~-> T1-,1-Drnc