The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1907-07-09
THE DETECTIVE COLPORTEUR
sYOur Sin Will Find You Out."-The
Secret OF a Troubled Life Revealed
on q Dcath-Bed.

For The Messenger:
Many years ago there was a big
camp meeting in a thriving farming
section Of eastern North Carolina. II
had been in session for several days,
the interest throughout the community
continuing undated, enjoyed perhaps
mostly as a frolic by the young folks,
giving Eweethearts rare opportunities
OF horseback, buggy and even wagon
rides owe the pleasant country roads,
attendance on the meetings, their part
In the midday picnic dinner, and, bet
ter still, returning home under the
twinkling stars and the soft light of
the moon.
To the staid old farmers and their
housewives it was a n~eighborhood re-
union for the grasp OF the hand and
the "howd-ye-do" talks about the crops
the cholera in the hogs, who was going
to run for sheriff, among the men: and
among the women the gossip of the
last quilting, the making of preserves,
trying out the lard, the measles and
whooping cough of the children.
Then, too, there were locally fam
Gus preachers among the camp meet
ing misunderstanding hammer gladiat-
ors, who hit the devil square between
the eyes, and dealt out to the sinner
strong peppery orthodox doctrine,
which admitted Of nc suffering, no
beating about the bush"
One especial day there Was a very
large attendance, Tor a preacher Of
real ability and power was expected
to occupy the pulpit: and, circling a.
round through the crowd, was a COL
pOrteur of one Of The religious denom-
nations, distributing tracts and selling |
bibles and hymn books. He was a Stran- !
ger in the settlement attracted there
by the camp meeting, and gave his
name as John Willis. He was appar-
emily about forty years old, slender
and active, with light hair and a mud
dy complexion, keen, inquisitive eye, :
a large thin-lipped mouth, and the
alert, aggressive manner that a must
ling colporteur should have. !
For an hour Or more the crowds
been coming into the camp over !
all the cOnverging roads, on mules and !
horses, in carriages, buggies, wagons :
n carts-the generous dinner pack .
ing trunk, box or basket strapped be- {
mind every conveyance when a car !
drawn by two stout, sleek fray |
mules, drove III ill the grove, from 1
which %alighted a man, a gentle sweet J
faced woman, Il boy about fifteen and /
a girl about thirteen years of age, all I
bearing the appearance of people in !
easy circumstances. The man looked !
to be forty or f~orty-fve years old, |
wore a we'll fitting suit Of grey jeans |
and a broad-brimmed SLOUGH hat. was |
heavily built and of great height, more J
than six feet towering over the ur- /
rounding throng, and had dark hair |
q sallow complexion, a. handsome! buE |
stern face, and a serious ~men4nUcholy |
cast of ~countenance.
The colporteur had been engag ed il
the sale of 4 bible when theSe, new |
.ofner arrived, and took no notice OF |
them until, the mules being taken out, |
the man oma and child stopping |
now and then to exchange greetings ,
on either side, walked over toward. the
little church. When he first cast his
ewes ON them John Willis evinceI on !
1y the interest than an agent with some
thing to sell n something to give
away, would feel in e arrivals. But
AS he took in the four more closely
a. look of opperplexity and doubt came
over his face: he leaned forward in the:
intensity of his gaze, and u dark frown
replaced the ~perplexity, as he mutte2-
ed 81 would take my oath that it Is
he, even to the scar of the burn on
his cheek"
He took a step or two toward the
: D and then checked himself. Look
ing around he saw an acquaintance
Reaning against a tree, a little OFF to
himself. He was fairly trembling
from excitement, but he controlled his
nerves as he approached his acqualn-
lance, ana y vas in a quiet indifferent
tone that he asked: Who is that man
gonde near the church, who has just
arrived with his wife, I suppose and
two children"
edward Long" was the reply.
edward Long? Does he live about
here?" - .'"''~7
Yes. his place is about six miles
down the road, and he is one Of the
best and most successful farmers In
all this section"
Willis remained for a short time
with his eyes fixed on the big farmer,
all unconscious Of the inspection which
he was undergoing. Then he contln-
ued: "Mr. Edward Long looks strong