The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1890-07-17
Phe Preacher and Post Boy.

At 8 country inn, on one of his jour.
neys, MIR. Capers had stopped for the
night, after very cold day. ride. After
supper he found small lad sitting by the
fire, thiuly clad, and with a look of snx.
iety in his face. The proprietor of the
house presently said:
"John, if I we're you, would not go
to. night?"
At these words the little fellows tears
began to flow, and he replied: "Why did
you say so7 You know I must 60"
Mr.. Capera asked what Johns business
was. he learned that tie boy was a
mail carrier, and had to take the mail bag
twenty one miles that night. BE had 20
other clothing than what he then wore
all of cotton goods and thin enough. The
night was bitter, and rain aad sleet were
then falling. Mr.. Capers told him that
he must freeze to death if he persisted in
going; and that if he would abandon the
attempt, his employer should be informed
that be remained by the advice and per.
suasion of friends. To this the little tel.
low, in tears, said
II must 60. If I don't shall lose my
place, and then my mother and sister will
starve."
Shortly afterward the mail carrier who
brought the mail which John was to take
forward arrived. He came to the fire,
throwing off large bear skin overcoat
loaded with sleet, and, with profane ex.
preston, declared that he was a frozen
| through. Mrs. Capers said to him:
Friend, if with your overcoat on you
are nearly frozen, what will be the fate of
this poor boy, thinly clad as he is, who
has to ride twenty.on miles and carry
the mail you have brcught?"
"He will not live to get over the swamp
that is just ahead, and four miles wide"
said he.
Mr.. Capers then went to the landlady
to purchase quilt or blanket to cover
John, who persisted that be musttry to so.
She said she could spare nothing of the
kind.
MADAM" said he "let me have this
half worn blanket for the child; l will
give you four dollars for it,"
"No SIR" she said "you will all find
before morning that I have no blanket to
SELL"
Returning to the FIRE, he said to the
owner of the overcoat: "Sir, will you sell
me your overcoat for this boy ?"
EYES," said he, eff can get cost for it
eight dollars"
The money was Immediately paid, and
Mr.. Capers handed the coat to the boy,
whose eyes instantly frightened. He put
it on, and soon set out on his dreary ride.
This purchase had exhausted MIR. Caper's
money, and left him only twenty-five
cents. The next morning he took formal
leave of the family without asking for his
bill, determining to send back, as soon as
he, arrived home, the amount usually
charged for nights lodging. On the
part of the host nothing was said about
pay when he departed. The next night
be lodged with a Presbyterian family,
with whom he had no acquaintance.
When the time came for family worship,
his host impressed by his appearance and
conversation that he was religious man,
invited him to join them and lead the
devotional exercises. After prayers he
inquired if the stranger we're nota minis
ter. Mr.. Capers told him who he was,
and that he was returning home after q
years work on the circuit he had just
travelled. Before breakfast the next morn
ing he said to Mr.. Capers:
"Friend, We do not belong to the same
denominations of Christians. You are
Methodist and am a Presbyterian. 1t
is, dare say, with ministers of your de-
nomination as with ours-you at times
stand in need of little money. Will you
please accept of this?" handing him 20
dollars.
On reaching home, MIR. Capers inclosed
proper amount in letter to the tavern
keeper, where he had met with the post.
boy, explaining the circumstances. The
money, however, was soon returned, on
the ground that they never charged
preachers. And he was requested to call
again whenever he passed that way
From Wightman's Life Of Bishop
! Gamers.