Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1902-12-15
DSRYTERE!o 55
TEACHER, EDITOR
4. B. LOMGSTREET

He was a leading member OF the Meth
odist church and he was already a
local preacher when he wrote this
rollicksome book. The articles were
published weekly and created q great
sensation. The absurd statement has
been made that he was ashamed of
the book and tried 10 suppress II.
Nothing could be falser. He was as
proud of this bantling as any other
author ever was. It was the first
book of realistic short stories ever
4. written on this continent, and 10 stu
one of the best. II has held its place
for over GO years in popular favor.
But he grew weary of law and OF
political life. He was local preacher
and he determined to give up the bar
for the pulpit. He was fond OF the
legal profession, but his duty called
him to other fields. He was wanted
and needed in the work of the minis
try. He was admitted into the confer
ence and appointed a junior preacher
to Augusta. He was calm, disposition
ate, argumentative in preaching so
much so that Uncle John, his Old
slave, used TO say, MARS Gustus can't
preach, he just gets up and laws IT.
He bore himself nobly when Augusta
was swept by yellow fever. Then he
became president of Emory, but after
he was elected to this office, he won
a case in the court for the famous
German Schultz. and received a fee
Of $4,000 Then he fixed his home
where DIR. Dickey now lives In Oxford,
and here I first knew him, sixty years
ago. He was q Methodist, but he loved
the flute and the fiddle and would pat
his foot when the band played a live
T-r ,f- 10 fhn oefnntQhrnaIlf of
Uncle Allen Turner. He was great
favorite with his boys, but he had
nerve as well az grace. There are
not few stories told of him and Of
his boys One night Devil Seab
Jones'" g he was called TO distinguish
him from a soberer kinsman, stole his
gig and put II IN his front porch.
The Judge had IL taken back 70 the
carriage house and after breakfast,
when Devil seab" had been unusu-
ally demure, he said to him:
IAdr. Jones. why did you take my
gig from the carriage house and put 1T
in my Dorch2"
well. SIR" said the detected Gull
prit, II was worn out BY study, and I
did II for recreation. l am very sorry
II It caused you any annoyance"
well, Mr.. Jones. your motive was
conmendabie. but It seems to me you
did not act wisely. When you are ex-
hausted again, come over to the house
and the girls viii give you some music,
and will play you some airs on my
flute"
Weeks passed. all was forgotten,
when one night Mr.. Jones appeared
about o'clock in the evening. The
Judge met him and asked his mission.
He told him he was really exhausted
Z and needed recreation. The judge went
into the psrlor and played his nute,
but seab did not 90. Miss Jennie and
Miss Fannie aid not appear. Shylock
ives unrelenting and 80 the bond was
paid. the girls came in and gave the
concert. Then the courtly Jones, grace
fully retired completely restored to
vigor. When he reached the gate the
Judge called: Mr.. Jonesl Mr.. Jonesl
the next time you come, take the
sulky"
Then he went as chancellor Of the
University OF Mississippi. then to
South Carolina, then the war came,
and after IT'S close he went back to
Mississippi where his daughters, Mrs.
J.. Q. c. Lamar and Mrs. DR.. Bran
ham, were living. and when he was
50 ne passed Eweetly and calmly away.
What a contrast does this Christian
statesman, this man who lived to do
coed, present 70 some of his great CO.
teruporarfes and friends.