The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1894-12-12
9udersaH gHtelIigeaeer,
THE WILDCAT CIRCUIT.
BY OpH READ.

ana over LQe QOOr LueTe grew green
sawbrier. Wild hogs slept in the old
log house, and the screech owl, with
his nerve startling tremulo, roasted
under the caves. Conference after
conference had attempted to reclaim
the old church, for the vines of many
fond memories were clinging about it,
but each attempt was a failure. There
had been time when the glad shout
of the regenerated and the thankful
prayer Of the sanctifed called forth a
hymn Of joy from the devout congre-
CATION, but that time was long ago, for
boys who had then, clinging to the
skirts of their excited mothers, won
dered what the commotion meant, had
become fathers, tho religious system,
and consequently the social complex
ion Of the neighborhood, had been
changed by the war. The sanity
brother, harrassed by guerrillas and
robbed by marauders that belonged to
both armies, moved away; many Of
them, and those who remained, forgot
their church relations, and finally be.
came rough sneerers at the creed of
which they had once been strong, but
gentle supporters 80, many years
later, the uncouth men of the Wildcat
circuit laughed at the efforts of con-
ference, and actually mistreated the
preachers who came among them.
Several weeks ago newly made
preacher, concerning whom there had
been considerable discussion relative
to the circuit to which he should be
sent, arose in conference and said:
"Brethren, it appears that some
body wants for himself or for friend
every place that is suggested for me.
Now, all I want is q chance to work.
I am not looking out for place where
they feed preacher on fried chicken
and at night tumble him into feather
bed. I have gone into this preaching
business with the expectation Of hav-
ing a pretty tough time, but I am pre-
pared for i'll was graduated with
honors from the college of Toughness,
have been editor Of country paper
during a campaign for sheriff. Now,
brethren, I am very sorry to see why
there should be any controversy on
my account, and to show you that |
shall be satisfied yea, even pleased
with my assignment, l will announce
nv determination of re-establishing
the Wildcat circuit" :;
The young preachers, given to levi!
ty, began to laugh, but the older ones,
several of whom had hoed the row Of
experience, shook their heads gravely
and we're serious. ::
'tBrother Gregory" said an old,
man, edo we understand you to mean
that you will face gang Of rufhans
and attempt to plant the Gospel in a
soil where it once fourished, but from
which it was violently torn up by the
roots 2"
"That is what I mean. Those men
may be ruf6ans, but they will not dare
to use violence. -
"They may not use positive vio-
lence, Brother Gregory, but they
know how to apply thousand annoy
ances. They make a preacher ridicu-
lous, then laugh at him. went there
some time ago; but [ will never 60
again" :,
"They may make me ridiculous"
Brother Gregory responded, "but /
shall not allow an imaginative picture
to turn me aside from my purpose.
A number of the brethren strove to
dissuade Brother Gregory from carry
ing out the plans Of his rash determi-
nation, but the next day the head
strong evangelist set out on journey
to the Wildcat circuit. Without tell
ing the object of his visit to the neigh
borhood, he engaged board at house
situated near the church, and the next
morning, after his arrival, he gave
himself over to the work of clearing
away the weeds that grew about the
sacred old pile Of logs. He pulled
down the green-brier that grew over
the door, washed with soapsuds the
inside Of the house, and, after COM
pleting his work, announced to num-
Der Of curious spectators, that there
would, in that house, be preaching the
following Sunday.
When the time arrived, the house
was we'll filled with sspickerers," and
scoffers, but Brother Gregory, un-
daunted in the contemplation Of SO
cheerless 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
anyone who did not care to hear him.
''I came as friend to persuade and
not as an enemy to coerce," said he.
ssI have come here to join you in all
Of your sympathies, in all Of your
sports and pastimes." I"
"Glad to hear that" old Nick Dacy
spoke up. Nightly pleased to know
that you air goin' ter jine US, an as
this jest about our time nv day ter
caper a. little, wy, you can fall in
right at once.
Benches had been removed from the
center Of the room, leaving an open
space. Nick stepped into the "clear-
ing and standing on his head, cracked
his heels together. The congregation
shouted with laughter. The preacher
came down out Of the pulpit, stood on
his head and cracked his heels to.
gether. Old Nick got down on all
fours galloped about the open space
and yelped like dog. "Ounk, DUNK,
DUNK p he barked.
The preacher got down on his all
fours and galloped with high-keyed
''ounk, DUNK, ounkp
Old Nick lay down and grunted like
a hog. So did Brother Gregory. The
people exchanged many glances Of
amazement.
"Say," said Nick.
"Well," the preacher answered:
"You are sorter ore of the boys
amt you ?"
'sI told you I had come to join you
in your sports and pastimes. !"
"I thought you come to preach. f"
$50 I did, but I do not intend to
preach until you are ready to listen. !"
''Do you reckon we need preachin'
ter SO mighty bad p
IL L.