The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1897-08-02

he was a great dancer, but he must pay
| the preacher first, then the fiddler.
Gosh, Mr.. Hawkins, YOU orto know
what your prices are. I'm willln' to
pay what's right soon's you say the
| word"
"You don't understand, Henry.
can't charge you, properly speaking II
all rests with you"
Dog gone II understand you, sir.
Why you've done many job like this
un and you can't tell what they're
wuthl That beats me, sure enough, but
to say 1t rests with me, Teller what
was never spllced up afore-well, i
swami"
II was In vain for several minutes be-
fore the good man made II clear 60 the
bewlldered groom, and when finally he
caught on to II, he dipped down into
| his Jeans, handed over a promiscuous
assortment Of small change, receiving
the minister's thanks rs b' I'D 50.
And when the Rev. Mr., Hawkins start
ed 90 so for his horse a minute later,
the happy Henry preceded him, sad
ding the old roam and waving the good
man good bye as he rode off around
bend in the road,
This reminds the writer of another
and true incident In the career of vet
eran Methodist minister, which &C.
Cured in the earlier days Of the circuit
riding fruternlty OF the interior of this
state The aged brother who was af-
terward known In Methodist circles of
| West Virginia as ''one Of the ablest and
best preachers In the conference" and
who was better known In Wheeling,
perhaps, than In any other town IN the
STATE, when In a reminiscent mood told
the writer this story: He had just
been ordained and went from a Penn
sylvania county with his young wife to
labor In field In the interior OF West
Virginia, where there was 4 circuit OF
struggling congregations, composed
mostly OF poor but very respectable
farmers, who worshipped for the most
part In churches built OF heWn timber,
The circuit rider was obliged to be con-
tent with the weekly collections for his
living, and It may be supposed that no
and hls wife had n hard struggle with
life, as the collections were small, and,
together with the donations received
from sNme of the more prosperous
members OF the congregations, were
barely enough to keep the wolf from
the door,
One particularly severe winter, near
Christmas, found the circuit rider and
his wife With scarcely enough In the
house to keep body and soul together.
They knew that for Christmas dinner
they would be invited by some one Of
the faithful OF the flock near By, and
they felt ne uneaslness on that score,
but the little family was sadly In need
OF winter clothing, and the young wife,
who was brsvely sharing her husbands
hardships. was especially in need Of
comfortable wrlppngs. One stormy
! night they were discussing the situation
almost In despair. They were too proud
to make their wants known and had
about come u the conclusion that they
would he fort ed TO do so to save them
selves from absolute suffering. when
knock was heard at the door Of the
cabin. The wife answered and in walk
ed n stranger, shaking the snow from
his shaggy overcoat, which the poor,
most comfortable article Of clothing he
had ever seen.
The stranger, who appeared to he In
hurry, quickly stated his business,
He had come from the home Of
weulthy farmer who lived about two
miles across the mountain, and who
was the richest and most influential
man in all that region. His daughter
was to be married that night and the
wedding was to be a great event for
that country. The guests were assem-
blod. A famous minister from O dis
tant city had been engaged to perform
the ceremony. but had sent word at the
last minute that an accident prevented
his arrival But the wedding could not
be postponed. Would the circuit rider
object 90 going over and acting In his
stead? A sleigh was outside which
would convey him over to the mansion
and bring him home.
Il cas- be imagined With what Joyful
anticipation the circuit rider accepted,
and one glance at his wife's face told
him OF the visions of warm winter
| clothing that were IN her mind \ we'd
ding at house where wealth and lux
ury abounded meant fee such as our
struggling mountain preacher had never
before dreamed of.
To make long story short our friend
was soon In the sleigh and the stranger
whipped up the horses. The distance
was covered so quickly that the poor
circuit rider didn't have time to gel
| cold, and soon found himself, rough
dressed as he was, In the brilliantly
lighted pnrlor, facing fashionable as
semblage Of guests, and the eXpectnnt
couple. He must have presented a
strange contrast to his surroundings,
but there was no time for comment.
The ceremony was performed and all
was over except the wedding feast. OF
course the preacher got his share OF
that and was loaded down with good
things TO take to the hungry little wife
al home. Then he excused himself and
went with anxious heart to bid the
| bride and groom goodbye. He was