The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1895-01-26
The STRANGE PREACHER


bf oPlE READ,
A number OF men wero sitting about
tho ssovo In tho hotel Of q Missouri viii.
ago. The night was bitter cold aud tho
wind was bowling. and old housou could
DO hoard cracking tholr weary joints.
Tho train had como in, and tho boy
who had gone for the mail had said
that thsro was but ono passenger aud
that he had mysteriously disappeared
Immediately upon reaching tho end OF
the railway platform.
What ior n looking man was her"
asked the wiso man OF tho town, who,
many y0ars before, no ono could remem.
Dor exactly when. had served as judge
Of the county and probate courts. Il
u couldn't see him very well" tho
boy answered. "but he was putty tall
and wore long overcoat"
And you say you don't know which
way ho wcntT'
mo, sir. couldn't tell which way
no went after he got down of the plat.
FORM"
You don't suspect anything, do you,
Iudge| some one asked.
The old man did not answer immedi.
ately. II there il ono trait that belongs
distinc.ively to wisdom, 1t Is delibera.
lion. and knowing this, tho judge took
his time. He scratched his chin, then
with gentle strokes smoothed his beard.
Every eye was turned upon him, and
in the silence that waited for his words
there was a nerve strain Of eagerness.
ut would be difficult to determine"
said the old man.
but why do you suspect him at all 2"
asked shoemaker, who. during his
long life as shoer OF men, had
tramped, and therefore looked with q
sort OF liberal skepticism upon tho in.
tentions OF n stranger, and was gener-
ally inclined to give him the much
boosted benefit oil the doubt. Upon tho
shoemaker the Judge fixed the gaze o!
his watery eyes. did I say, sir, that /
suspected him? ?"
mo, not exactly, but"
Blu. nothing. sir" the judge broke
in. You not only jump at conclusions
yourself. but you rake up pile OF con.
illusions and attempt to pitch mo head.
long At them. do not suspect a man
OF evil simply because he disem barks
from train in this town many good
man. has stopped among us, and We
should not look upon q man with sus.
picion simply because he ia a stranger,
and neither should his being stranger
warrant us in running up to him aud
covering him with our condolences.
There should be reason in all things.
Now, you will not deny that there have
OF late been several robberies in this
town. and as it is not likely that these
depredations were committed by home
people We must conclude that they were
the outrages Of strangers. Who's tina,
at the door?'
Some one was fumbling at the latch.
The landlord stepped forward and
opened the door, and in stepped tall
man wearing long oyercoat. The boy
who had seen the stranger at the rail.
way station looked at the Judge and
nodded his head. The stranger sat
down, and tho landlord hung about
him us il he desired some sort OF ex.
planaiion and yet had not the courage
to demand it.
"This is u public house. is it not ?"
the stranger asked. looking sharply at
the landlord.
"fes. sir; oh, yes."
"All right. then; cease to tangle me
up in the flying threads OF your en-.
oarrassing attention. Sit down over
there, please"
With unaccustomed quickess the
landlord sat down and every one gazed
at the stranger. He was handsomely
dressed; about his neck he wore a
white scarf OF silk. His eyes were soft,
glowing, and pleasing in expression
and his nose, prominent and thin, was
OF peculiar whiteness. His hair was
rather long, dark. but with an interest.
inviting sprinkle OF gray.
A silence fell upon the company. DC.
casiona!ly there was the sharp hiss Of a
tobacco-chewer's wei! directed shot at
the hot stove. n'l
ut appears" said tho newcomer,
loosening the scarf about his neck and
shaking his hair as proud horse
might ahake his name, that l have
touched the exposed nerve OF suspicion,
but lot me assure you that came in at
tho straight gate. and am, therefore,
not the same as a thief and robber.
And, gentlemen, permit me to intro.
duce myaelf. am John Bollwether, o
humble but courageous preacher of the
gospel, devoted admirer OF the bravery
OF Paul, ready 70 pray or to fight; in
deed, one who stands listening for the
ting, ting OF tho bell that may summon
him to duty. You have not heard OF
me: l present no credentials. II l
could l would willingly toll you much
about myself, but | cannot; know
but little OF myself. But what l do
tell you shall be absolute truth. Now
liston TO me. | was walking in field,
where, 1 know not; when. know not.
But ] do know that whilo walking in
that field I was called upon to come to
this community and preach the gospel.
And so here ! AIN. ! know nothing
about denominations come simply to
present tho gospel warmed with love. l
ask for no money, but for a place to
sleep and 4 scat at table. But | am
no: Il paupor. hayo money, which |
am willing a. any time to divide among
you. ask you pleaae to tako it air."
Iio thrust his hand into his breast
pocket, took out roll OF bank notes,
and held 1t out toward tho landlord.
Gracious, no." said the simple man,
shrinking back.
but can't you put it into your safe
and give 1t to mo as may ask for it?
Take it and pay youraoll whenever you
find that am indebted 10 you"
.lNn y unia tIa lnndlnru ul akinn hiu