The people's journal. (Pickens, S.C.) 1891-1903, 1896-05-07


>N3tank ton feet above the ground two
= small houses u plantation road cross
ing the track near tho tank, these
were the principal features Of ''Station
4I" in the year IS. The place was
SO insignificant that it mover had q
name. The region around was known
by the number. Even tho circuit
riders charge was called "Forty one" !"
Nearly all tho engines took water
at this place, hcnco tho pump was
going most of the day. While the
horse toilcd on vt his dull task, the
driver, seated in tho centre Of tho
circle, played u fiddle. Tho grating
cOgwhecls and tho measured throb Of
the pump furnished an accompani-
mont. AS he worked and tiddlcd on
Sunday he was sometimes called "thc
wicked tank minder.'
"Forty-onc" had religious privileges.
Once month Methodist preacher
held services in q schoolhouse, half u
mile distant. In q long cherished fcud
between MethOdists and Baptists tho
tank minder took sides with the
Baptists. He never went to church.
But religious life is not necessary to
partsanship. He expressed his reli-
gious views by thrashing each now
Methodist minister on tho way to his
first appointment. Aftcr that ho would
thrash any man who intcrfcred with
the preacher. He always challenged
to an open fight and was always victor
thrash him for cowardice; If he &C
copied for his religion.
That year when the bishop haG re-
ported to conference the various as
Bignmonts, tho preacher assigned tC
vi arose and said, elf it please the
bishop | would prefer another charg '.
Everybody knows what a man muct
take before he begins work there"
Hcreupon Brother G. arose briskly
and said, "I'll take Al, if the bishop
will allow me- His proposal was tc-
copied.
The quiet OF the next Sunday morn
fiddle. He was sitting in his accustom-
ed place. How Gcrccly he played
THE Devils Dream" '"Go to the
Devil and shake YOURSELF" and tunes
with similar themes. Tho strings
fuirly shrickcd. This very day the
new minister was expected. And down
there under the shade Of tho dark
pines he was coming. Tho nearer he
came the tierccr and angricr grow the
tones of tho fiddle. The finale closed
suddenly in an explosion as tho rider
reached tho tank.
He salutcd with, "Good morning,
sir; and howdy '"
Right pca"t, thankco! An you
air the new Methodist purson, air yc
Wall, Pm powerful glad to meet yc.
hev q spccrcncc mcctin,' nforo yo go
any furdcr."
My friend, good experience is
always interesting, but it is near time
for my service. Put down your fiddle
stop your horse and como along with
mo-"
Nov, parson, none of your zortin
Me an YOU hcv got to tackle right
now. Hcah?"
But, sir, should wo tackle now how
will our clothes look? In what fran,
CT mind will we be in after our tacklins
experience ~
"No more fool talk, parson. Gct
down. Pull OIL your coat. Don't try
to sneak out 'cn it till | git through
with your nishiation to A."
"Wcll, sir, If | must accept your
challenge, fair play and no quarter
Till ono of us surrcndcrs.'
y solitary whitc man with IL hymn
book and Il fcw negroes at u safe dis
tance wcrc looking ON. Tho preacher
quietly tied his horse, threw his coat
over the saddle and faced his adversary
with q calmnoss that was surprising
But tho excited aggrcssor, confident
ofeasy victory, rushed at his opponent,
only to receive blow like the kick Of
a mule. He found himself lying on
his back. Mad and chagrincd he arose
to renew tho battle. He aimed a fear
fui blow at his antagonists head. 1t
was parricd. a counter blow laid
q ~ N hn !, ,,
preachers knoo was upon tho breast
and his strong hand gripped tho hair
of the fallen Goliath. n blow OF no
mean emphasis fell upon his nose.
Then pause. Tho preacher said,
Son OF Bclial, We have tackled shall
We continue this experience mooting: ::
guess am initiated now. You must
promise me to come to preaching this
morning and nevor again to mcddlo
with Meth odist preachers" A sullcn
growl answered, "lll sec you in h
(shcop first" ''Then, said the preach
er, you need deopor conviction"
Blow after blow fell on the helpless
mans face. lIo could endure it no
longer, and cried out. "Enough
promise" He was released and kept
his word.
Brother G. before his conversion had
been trained pugilist.
That morning service began u little
late. Still latter came the tank mindcr.
He was sadly dis!igurcd. He was not
recognized. Some one said, clio
favors the wicked tank mindcr." An
other remarked, "Sccms like he don't
know hissolf.' But the old negro
sexton said, "Dats him wen | wuz
crcummn long, him and dc Reverend
wuZ argifyin bout sumGn. Don doy
tackle. An do pahson done bus i'm
wide open"
The tank minder was an attentive |
listener. Ho appropriated tho truth
to his own heart. at the other ap-
pointmcnts OF the fighting preacher he |
became a regular attendant. "The |
preacher" he said, "sccms aiming at I
me all the time" Soon he was under |
real conviction of sin, repented, and |
was converted. Though forcibly I'M
pressed by the expounding of Nc. O.
dist doctrine, his convictions led him
TO join the Baptist church. After a
few years OF consistent life he felt
called to preach. He was ordained,
ana rendered good service for his
Master many years. BY his people he
was honored and beloved. In ripe old