Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1889-09-01
AN INCIDENT.
Nosb zane Rev. BrOckunier 10 bert
owen.


fsllow-eitjzsns. Mr.. Zane was greatly at
,scbed TO his friend and relative, the
reverend gentleman, admiring him espee-
ially for his firm, consistent and devoted
life as a Christian, and ss a man, although
he. himself. made no pretensions uniOrtu-
nstelv 10 piety or Christian character.
on one occasion, Rev. Brockunler, VINO
at the time was living in the western part
of Pennsylvania, where he was stationed
in charge of a congregation, had business
in Wheeling requiring his attention, which
demanded promptness in its discharge, and
10 the performances Of which had but z
limited tine to give without interfering
with pressing duties which called for his
presence elsewhere.
Daring his occasional Visits 10 the town
he was always expected to visit some OF
his relatives and friends, of whom he had
a large list. and who always coveted his
presence and society and who would feel
s6qhted if ne failed to do so.
But on this occasion he felt that want
of leisure as well es the claims OF duty
would prevent and he thought to escape
the necessity of participating IN their usuai
hospitality, and laid his plans for that puf-
pose accordingly, intending to avoid pun
iicitv AZ far as II was in his power TO DO 80
bv quietly attending to the purpose OF his
visit and az quietly hasten his return
bomewards. With this end in view he en-
desyored to carefully avoid meeting friends
and acauaintances on the streets, selecting
the most unfrequented highways IN his
necessary passage through the town, pat
ronizing the alleys SO far IS he could.
sBut the best laid schemes of mice and
men aft gang sglee." Aud SO it proved in
this instance, for the very means Of avoid
ance adopted by him proved to be futile
Indeed be met the very man above all
others who at this particular junctnre he
wished to avoid, to wit: Noah Zane. He
realized that he was caught in his own
trap. for be we'll knew that the decided
character Of Mr.. Zane was such that he
would take 10 denial, nor suffer any ex-
cuse to prevail.
The reverend gentleman affected not to
see him az first and was hurriedly pursulng
his wav. when he was hailed and stopped
nv MT. Z4ne, who promptly extended to
him an invitation to dine with him that
dsv. lie attempted to excuse himself by
the urgency of his business, which he
wished to complete, and his desire to re-
tnrD home AS soon as it was accomplished,
hut was silenCed By the emphatic lnsisture
of bis friend, who would listen to no de-
NAL. using at the same time as an argu-
ment to overcome his objections tnat ne
wanted TO introduce him to distinguished
friend of his then visiting at his house.
Finding it was impossible for him to re-
sist the opportunities of his friend without
an exhibition Of great rudeness he re-
luctantly acquiesced, and appeared at the
mansion Of his host at the appointed hour,
when and where he was introduced to
Robert 0 ven, the father of the late Robert
Dale Owen, a distinguished Stotchman,
whose sccialistic and in6del teachings and
views were greatly repugnant to the we'll
known orthodox views of the reverend
gentleman. The cuisine was all that was
desired, and the board fairly groaned I'M
der the weight of the tempting viands
which it bore. One may rest assured that
the conversation Of three such men, scin-
tillating with wit and wisdom, suffered no
lapses of tedious silence and was charac-
terized by no irksoneness.
At the close OF the meal, by invitstlOn OF
the host, the three gentlemen strolled
through the beautiful grounds surround
ing the house, admiring the rare flowers
and varied shrubbery with which they
abounded.
In the course of their walk Owen stopped
to admire a rare botanical specimen, while
Brockunier and Zane continued their walk
in company.
Some distance interviewed between them
selves and the philosopher, when Brock
unier was startled by a slap en- the back
accompanied by the inquiry on the part OF
Zane: Brock his familiar way Of
addressing HIM do you know why so
urgently insisted upon your joining me a.
dinner to-day" The party addressed re-
piled that be did not.
"Weu," said he, "the reason why
wanted you to come wss, so that 1 might
have you to ask a blessing at the table to
show that id infdel that l was a Chris
tian.
Noah zane time and again brought all
the powers Of his persuasion to bear upon
his friend Brockunier to leave the ministry
and engage in mercantile pursuits. On
one occasion ne offered him the sum OF ten
thousand dollars if he would embark In
business, which in those days was regarded
as quite snug little fortune. Failing IN
this otlsr, he made another Of block OF
lots ehgibly located, with the understand
ing that the proceeds Of One-hat was
to be paid to Zlne in consideration OF
the other half But his reverend
friend refused all these seduc-
tive offers with the significant
and noble remark, that she was engaged
in business which enlisted all his ener-
gies-ths work of Christ-whose servant
ne was for Time and Eternity, and that
neither the destinations of wealth, nor the
prospects Of speculation would induce him
TO abandon theeervice of his Master"
Struck with admiration of the spirit OF
the man, who was not to be bought nor
pursuaded from the purpose OF his life,
Mr.. Zane, as 2 tribute to his excellence,
uresented his wife with a deed for the two
lots situated on the east side Of Market
street, Just north of and adjoining the
property owned by Mr.. Schenk.
POISONOUS RINGS.
They Were Worn by Murderous Beings In