Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1902-12-27
FER William and the Fiery .nariot.

Br'er William and the Fiery Nnariot.
1t was pretty generally understood
among the brethren of the settlement
that some day, in the economy Of
Providence, an angel from Paradise
was to call upon Rr'er Williams, place
him in a ''cherryoot'' of fire, ana take
him galloping to glory. This under
standing was the result of repeated
statements of Br'er Williams that the
said angel had appeared to him in a
dream, and had warned him to put his
house i'll order that he might be ready
at Il moments notice to depart in the
Celestial carriage. And it was re-
a5drked that it was with more serene
cAsntenance and ever uplifted. eXpec-
tafft eyes that Br'er Villains walked
ainong his fellow men thereafter.
's-'Hit may be-" he said to them, dat
I'll be took endurin' my daily walk
right in de middle er de street, befo' de
eyes er all er you; so hits behoovin' or
me ter be dressed en- ready, en- ter have
my min in ez peaceful a frame cz dat
what my pictur's in, hangin' on de
meme WALL" -a.' i-.
But time wore on; and many lost
faith in the advent of the angel with
the fiery chariot, until one dark night
long to be remembered by Br'er
Williams and the COMMUNICATION
Satan influenced few Of the brethren,
who were of a mischievous mind. to
make Br'er Williams the victim of Il
practical joke. ..
He was Steering soundly in his cabin
when he heard the gallopng of horses,
the sudden stopping of vehicle at his
doors Il gllmmer of lights through
the window chinks, and caught the
sound of low, sebulchral voices.
Then there was a slow, measured
knock at the door, and Il voice, as from
the tomb, crying:
''Br'er Williams! .Br'er Williams"
He rose 10 a sitting posture on the
bed-chill perspiration dripping from
his brow. ...
But no answer. D.. .- 4 .-
"Rr'er Williams. Br'er Williams"
His limbs shook till the bed Stats rat
tied, and it seemed that the very shin
giles on the roof were dancing.
Shivering and wid-eyed he crawlel
forth and peeped through the shutter
Saints above him! The fiery chariot
was there--the wheels blazinE-thet
ghostly horses imratiently paving the
earth. -.r
There was but one escape for him
the chimney. And up he crawled, as
far as its narrowing limits would let
hini-iust as the door gave Way, and
the ghostly visitors entered t
Bier Williams! Where are you?
The fiery chariot is waiting"
Foranstser they heard nlufIied sounds
UP the chimney: "Lawd, hep me Ter
reach dc top. Good I.awd, hep mel
But. his dangling feet were visible,
and by them he WAS dragged down and
carried bowling to the door by two
whitc-robcd figures.
''Don't take me now,7 he pleaded. 81
got a blister on my 'chist already. Ell
can't stan no mo- fire! Don't take rae,
Kunnel Angel, don't take mel" ,'la
But the noise and the scuiIling had
alarmed the phantom horses. and away
they dashed down the dark road, with
the fiery chariot blazing at their neels,
and after them sped the sh0stly yisi-
tants who had been struggling with
Br'er Williams.
Then 4 number of the citizens who
had been lurking Conveniently near
rushed in and asked The old man what
was the matter.
When he mad breath enough he gasp
ed: "5.ooky what you gone "a done
NOW. De fiery cilerryoot come fer me.
an TO ] had time ter jump in you
folks coined up en- slseered 1t OFF,
Frank l.. stanton in Atlanta Constitu-
ton. s.f - : ~ q381 ~ 80 n, w