The Newberry herald and news. (Newberry, S.C.) 1884-1903, 1888-02-23
MUSCULAR CHRISTIANITY.
A Character Sketch hy an Inimitable
Writer.

Richurd ". Johnston, IN ".Nr. -46salom
BiUingstea, and otter Georgia Folk."
Il shall first stick a pin right in
thar, sir whar you names the preach
in O. the blessed gospel, er ruther
the tryin' to do it. You names 1t
meauness an foolishness, an, I'll Low
asst you your name, although | haint
doubt but what it's Rogers. That's
SOP
My names none o your business.
sir. Answer my questions"
"Umpb, humph! Well, you know,
Mister-Rogers-Tll call you that
jes' for the sake O the argument so to
speak-that when one man astes a
question, sometimes before he can
git his answer he's liable to have
more'n one question asst of him his
self Ill put you another. Wern't
you or wernt you not the one that
chawed paper an rolled it in wad.
and Looked at me, an tipped it from
your fogers, an a leetle more an 1t
would have struck one O the female
persons O the congregation; an done
it more'n wunst, at that
u shan't answer that question, sir,
neither. None O. your business, nor
the business O no other clodhopping,
deceitful old cuss."
The preachers eyes moistened as
he said, in low, measured tone:
Young man, when | see you q
stapdin' out yonder at one o the back
cornders. | knowned whut you was
arfter, an | let sister Aikens 60
long on home by herself. so as me
an you could settle it betwix' our
selves; jes' you an me, US two"
Here Mr.. Gum made briet pause,
in order, it seemed to snuff the air.
Then ne proceeded:
Il come back in here determin'd
in my mind to asst you, like Abner
asst Asahel, to turn to the left, or
turn to the right. any way you choos
en-, so as to not be follerin' arfter
me; and I've jes' a minute ago made
my pra'ar to Godamighty to not let
me cry 'ithout where MS will, an eff
it were to let me cry good, and bless
His holy name, He have heerd me,
an | feel 'em a-comin'."
They were, indeed, coming drop
by drop, quicker and quicker, though
his face was wreathered with smiles.
Now I amt O keerin' not so
mighty much about the names you
named me, but did you mean to say,
sir, that the preachin' O the blessed
gospel is meanness and foolishness"
Il did, you old"
These were the last words of the
chieftain then and there. The preach
er took a step rearward, doubled his
fist and dealt upon the assailant'
breast a blow that prostrated him
upon his back at the foot of the pul
pit. Snatching his cane as he was
falling, he raised it aloft.
Now try to rise if you day." cried
Mr.. Gum, whose eyes were floods Of
tears, "an' III scatter that pulpit
with your brains.
MY God" cried Rogers.
"Them's the words. sir; them's the
very words. Before | let you up I'm
going to make you beg Godanighty's
pardon; an eff you don't DO it 'ithout,
I'm goin' to git down on you az
choke you tell you do"
You got the advantage of me,
sir"
Il know I has, an I'm goin' to
keep it. Come, sir. l got no time
to tarry long. Out 'ith it. You sorry
for your impudence to Godamighty
in HIS own house? No mealy-mouth-
in about it. Out 18th it. Sorry or
not sorry, whach?"
The PROSTATE man looked up. and
he afterwards declared that if he had
ever seen the bad man it was on that
occasion, in the weeping eyes that
went upon him.
I'm sorry, Mr.. Gum"
"All right, so fur, sir; but tell me,
now, is it godly sorrow, or is it
you're sorry because you're knocked
fat on your back. an amt quite
shore you amt goin' to be beat into
sassage meat:?"
"I-I-I-reckon, Mr.. Gum, it's
-it's-a-some o both"
That's jes' what | 'spicioned.
Howo never, L m thankful you got on
that gainin' ground. Know tine Lords S
pra'ar?"
"Of course do. Mr.. Gum
Say it
Rogers hesitated.
Say it, l tell you
Wont you give man time to
think it up?"
Il thought you knowed it. Said
you did"
i do Mr.. Gum. but it's been so
long since"