The commercial. (Union City, Tenn.) 190?-193?, 1922-04-07

will let you pass this time on the
ground of ignorance, but l warn you
that if you ever attempt to pass here
again l will fog you half to DEATH"
The preacher replied: "Sir, am
neither a horse thief nor any other
sort of criminal. l am on a peace
full mission trying to do little good
in the world and / have perfect
right to travel this road and four
weeks from to-day and about this
time of day 1 will pass this road on
my way to fill my appointment.
"You will not pass this road
again." said the smith. "You will
learn that ! am a man of my word
and as sure as you attempt to pass
here again I will fog you"
The young circuit rider went his
way and another four weeks rolled
around. The young preacher mount
ed his horse and set out for his ap-
pointment not unmindful of the
blacksmith's threat and at the same
time offering silent prayer for Di-
vine guidance. When he reached the
blacksmith shop the smith came out
and Selling the bride reins said, II
gave you fair warning, you have dis
regarded it. am man of my word,
get off from that horse, will have
to fog you to teach you some sense"
Said the preacher: II am in a
peaceful mood this morning and do
not want to fight, let me pass on.
There is no fighting in it," said
the smith. II am Just going to
thrash the life out of you Get off
from that horse before 1 knock you
off"
The young preachers eye fell on
stick lying near the horse on the
opposite side from the blacksmith
With lightning-like rapidity he dis
mounted, grabbed the stick and
pealed the smith over the head,
which sent him staggering to his
knees The preacher dropped his
stick and began pounding the smith
over the head and in the face with
his fists, bringing blood and bruises
at every lick. The smith finally
gained his feet and made feeble
effort at resistance but soon took to
his heels with the preacher in hot
pursuit. He ran into the house, the
preacher still pounding him while
the wife and daughters were scream
ing. He went out the back door and
through the lot with the preacher
still hot behind him. On he went
down to the spring where the preach
er overlook him, knocked him down
and continued to pound him until the
smith begged for mercy. Then the
preacher let up and said: you will
have to promise me before turn you
loose that you will go to your house,
wash up and go with me to church. !"
| The blacksmith said: Preacher, be
reasonable. 1 am bloody and all
bruised up. l can't go to-day, but
will promise to go at your next ap-
pointment if you will let me up"
WELL" said the preacher, 81 reckon
you are in poor plight to go to-day.
1 take it that you are man of your
word, and if you will promise me
in the presence of your wife and chill
dren that you will attend church
four weeks from to-day and take
your family with you, l will let VI
on you" The blacksmith promised
while on his back and renewed the
promise when he reached his house
The circuit-rider shook hands with
all the family and went on to his ap
pointment. Four weeks later wheI
he rode up to the blacksmith shop
he saw a two-horse wagon will
mules hitched to it and the black
smith and all of his family dresses
and ready for church. A few month
later the revival meeting came an
the blacksmith was converted aud Ii