The Laurens advertiser. (Laurens, S.C.) 1885-1973, 1896-05-05
Our Family Story.
THE TANK MINDER'S CONVERSION.
A TR UE STORY.
BY EDMUND WELLS.

A railway station in South Caro-
lima at a little clearing In the pine
forest u horsepower pump; q huge
tank ten feet above the ground ; two
small houses a plantation road cross
ing the track near the tank, these
d in the year 49,. The place was
SO insignificant that it never had a
name. The region around was known
by the number. Even the circuit
riders charge was called "Forty-one."
Nearly all the engines took water
at this place, hence tho pump was
going most of the day. While the
horse toiled or at his dull task, the
driver, seated in the centre OF the
circle, played q fiddle. The grating
cOgwheels and the measured throb of
the pump furnished an accompani-
ment. AS he worked and tiddled on
Sunday he was sometimes called "tbe
wicked tank minder."
"Forty-one" had religious privileges.
Once q month q Methodist preacher
held services in a schoolhouse, half u
mile distant. In a long cherished feud
between Methodists and Baptists the
tank hinder took sides with the
Baptists. He never went to church.
But a religious life is not necessary to
~partisanship. He expressed his reli-
gious views by thrashing each new
Methodist minister on the way to his
first appointment. After that he would
thrash any man who interfered with
the preacher. He always challenged
to an open fight and was always victor.
If the preacher refused battle he would
thrash him for cowardice; If he ac-
cepted for his religion.
That year when the bishop haG re-
ported to conference the various as
signments, the preacher assigned to
''4l" arose and said, IF it please the
bishop 1 would prefer another charge.
Everybody knows what a man must
take before he begins work there"
Hereupon Brother G. arose briskly
and said, "Ill take Al, if the bishop
will allow me-" His proposal was &C
copied.
The quiet of the next Sunday morn
ing was vexed by the tank minder's
fiddle. He was sitting in his accustom-
ed place. How tiercely he played
"The DEVILS dream" "Go to the
Devil and shake yourself" and tunes
with similar themes. The strings
fairly shrieked. This very day the
new minister was expected. And down
there under the shade of the dark
pines he was coming. The nearer he
came the fercer and angrier grew the
tones of the fiddle. The finale closed
suddenly in an explosion as the rider
reached the tank.
He saluted with, "Good morning,
sir and howdy !"
"Right peart, thankee An you
dir the new Methodist parson, air ye :?
Wall, Pm powerful glad to meet ye.
Git down often your critter an Wen
hev o speerence meetin,' afore we go
any furder."
my friend, a good experience is
always interesting, but it is near time
for my service. Put down Jour fiddle,
stop your horse and come along with
me-"
"Now, parson, none of your 'zortin.
Me an you hev got to tackle right
now. Heah
but, sir, should we tackle now how
will our clothes look? In what frame
of mind will we be in after our tackling
experience?
ono more tool talk, parson. Get
down. Pull off your coat. Don't try
to sneak out ZEN it till | git through
with your nishiation to Al"
"Well sir, if | must accept your
challenge, fair play and no quartei
till one of us surrenders.b
A solitary white man with a hymn
book and a few negroes at a cafe dis
tance were looking on. The preacher
quietly tied his horse, threw his coat
over the saddle and faced his adversary
"lOh " iup was ouIpIlSlIR.
But the excited aggressor, confident
ofeasy victory, rushed at his opponent,
only to receive "a blow like the kick of
q mule. He found himself lying on
his back. Mad and chagrined he arose
to ~renewjthe battle. He aimed q fear
full blow at his antagonists head. 1t
wss parried. A counter blow laid
him again in the dust. Instantly the
preachers knee was upon the breast
and his strong hand gripped the hair
, of the fallen Goliath. A blow of no
mean emphasis fell upon his nose.
Then q pause. The preacher said,
"Son of Belial, we nave tackled shall
we continue this experience meeting =?
I guess / am initiated nov You must
promise me to come to preaching this
morning and never again to NEEDLE
grOwl answered, III see you in h
(sheol) first" Then, - said the preach
or, "you need deeper conviction"
Blow after blow fell on the helpless
mans face. He could endure it no
longer, and cried out. Enough |
PROMISE" He was released and kept
his word.
been a trained pugilist.
That morning service began a little
late. Still latter came the tank minder.
Tie was sadly dislgured. He was not
recognized. Some one said, "He
/favors the wicked tank minder." An
other remarked, "Seems like he don't
know hisself." But the old negro
sexton said, "Dats him wen | wuz
ercummin long, him and de Reverend
wuz argifyin bout sumtip. Den dey
tackle. An de pahson done bus i'm
wide open"
The tank hinder was an attentive
listeN - He appropriated the truth
to heart. AT the other ap-
poX 2f the fighting preacher he
bG ocular attendant. "The
be said, "seems aiming at
Ame." Soon he was under
y pn OF sin, repented, and
1. Though forcibly i'm
e ~expounding of Metho-
Ahis%aRnvictions led him
baptist church. After q
consistent life he felt
&h. He was ordained,
Agood service for his
Sars. By his people he
beloved. In ripe old
yep and was mourned
grace which God
ed as spiritual gifts.
f.& && told me- the story