The Bennington banner. [volume] (Bennington, Vt.) 1858-1894, 1890-01-30
THE WILDCAT OIRonIr.

Rank weeds grew about the only re-
naming church on Wildcat Circuit, and
over the door grew a green saw-briar.
Wild hogs slept in The old log house,
and the screech owl, with his startling
tremulo, roasted under the caves. Con-
ference after conference had attempted
TO reclaim the old church, for the vines
of many fond memories were clingiDg
about it, but each attempt was failure.
There had BEN a time when the glad
shout of the regenerated and the thank
full prayer of the sanctified called forth
a hymn of Joy from the devout congre-
cation, but that time was long ago, for
boys who had been clipging to the
skirts of their excited mothers, wonder
ing what that cOmmotion meant, had
become fathers.
The religious system, and consequent
" the social complexion, of the neigh
borhood had beed changed by The war,
The sanity brothers, harrassed by
guerillas and robbed by marauders that
belonged to both armies, moved away,
many of them, and those who renamed
forgot their church relations and finally
became rough sneerers at the creed OF
which they had once been strong but
gentle supporters; so, many years later,
the uncouth men of the Wildcat Circuit
laughed at the efforts of conference and
actually mistreated this preacher who
came among them.
Several weeks ago newly made min
lister, concf rping whom there had
arisen considerable discussion relative to
the circuit to which he should be sent,
arose in conference and said:
4aDnnthrn,, - haf pAn,ahpdr
either wants for himself or for friend
every place that is suggested for me.
Now, all that want is a chance to go
to work. l am not looking out for
place where they feed a preacher on
fried chicken and at night tumble him
into feather bed. l have gone into
this preaching business with the expec-
tation of having pretty tough time,
but / am prepared for it'll was gradu-
ated from the College of Toughness,
having been editor of country paper
during a campaign for sheriff. Now,
brethren, 7 am very sorry to see that
there should be any controversy on my
account, and to show you that shall be
satisfed-yea, even pleased-with any
assignment, will announce my derter-
mination of establishing the Wildcat
Circuit"
The young preachers, given to levity.
began to laugh. but the older ones, sew
eral of whom had hoed the row of ex-
perience, shook their heads gravely and
were serious.
Brother Gregory" said an old man,
do we understand you to mean that
you will face gang of ruffi4ns and at
tempt to plant the gospel in a soil where
it once hOurished, but from which it
was violently torn up The rUots?'
THAT is what l mean. Those men
may be ruffisns but they will not dare
to use violence"
They may not use positive violence,
Brother Gregory, but they know how to
apply a thousand annoyances. They
make preacher ridiculous and then
laugh at him. went there some time
ago, but | will never go again"
They may make me ridiculous, but /
shall not allow an imaginative picture
to turn me aside from my purpose"
A number of the brethren tried to dis
suade Brother Gregory from carrying
out the plans of bis rash determination,
but the next day the headstrong evan
gelist Get out ON his journey to the Wild
Cat Circuit.
Without telling the object of his visit
TO the neighborhood he engaged board
at a house situated near the church. and
the next morning after his arrival he
gave himself oyer to the work of clear
ing away the wetds that grew about the
sacred old pile of logs.
He pulled down the green brier that
grew over the door, washed with soap.
suds the inside of the house, and after
completing his work announced to a
number of curious spectators that there
would be, IN that house, preaching the
following Sunday.
When the time arrived the house was
well filled with "snickerers" and SCOT
fers, but Brother Gregory, uDdaunted in
the contemplation of so cherries a
prospect, stepped up into the oak-slab
pulpit and declared that he had come to
preach, and that the privilege of retiring
was granted TO any one who did not
care to hear him.
II come as a friend to persuade, and
not at an enemy to coerce." said he. II
have come to join you in your sympa.
thies, in all Of your sports and pastimes.
"Glad to hear that" old Nick Ddey
spoke up. mighty pleased ter know
that you air goin' to jlne us, an as this
Is jest about our time Nv day ter caper
little, wy, you can fall in at onct."
Benches had been removed from the
centre of the room, leaving an open
space. Nick stepped into the clearing
and standing on his head, cracked his
heels together. The congregation all
shouted with laughter. The preacher
came down out of the pulpit, stood on
his head and cracked his heels together
Old Nick got down on all fours, galloped
abaut in the open space and yelped like
dog.
The preacher got down on all tours
and galloped about, with a high-keyed
"Ounk DUNK, DUNK!
Old Nick grunted like hog. So did
Brother Gregory. The people exchanged
glances of amazsment.
Say" said Nick,
"Well, the preacher answered.
"YOu air sorter one of the boys, amt
your
Il told you had come to j)in in all
your sports and pastimes."
Il thought you come to preach?"
$50 did, but | do not intend to try
to preach until you are all ready to hear
me-"
do you reckon we need preachin' to
80 mighty bad?"
Not half so much as the people who
live in the towns"
"Then why don't you go and preach
to them?"
Because do not want to destroy my
natural manhood by talking TO people
whose every aim is to be unnatural"
| How are you on the raesle p
81 am not an expert at wrestling, but
# the congregation so wills it, will try
you few falls"
The congregation with a yell, ex-
pressed an enthusiastic willingness. The
wrestling took place outside, as the
puncheon floor was rather hard. Old
Nick threw the preacher, but Brother
Gregory still willing to enter into the
sympathies and to take part in all the
sports and pastimes, declared his readi-
ness for another "fllrt.' The congrega
ton cbeered this evidence of nerve, and
II two men interlaced themselves in a
combination known as the alabama
stitch"
Cut your capers," said old Nick.
LEAD off with your fancy steps," the
preacher remarked.
This time NICK went down. Throw
off the tie" justice of the peace shout
ed. "Give us another fall"
''No let me make suggestion" said
Brother Gregory. II have entered into
your sympathies, now you enter into
mine. have joined your sports and
pestimes, now you join mine"
"That amt no more than fair" old
Nick exclaimed.
That's fair T. the congregation
shouted.
well, then, come inside now and