Year: 1878

In his systematic wandering over the
country, Lorenzo Dow, the great Meth
sdist rsvlvalist, almost invariably trav-
eled on foot, and often without penny
in his pocket, because he did not need
money, as he was well known, and a
welcome guest in every household. Tired
and hungry in the evening twilight of an
Autumn day, he came in sight OF a house
at which he had stopped, and to which
he had Travelled several lies more than
his usual days journey. The only oc-
cupants Of the house were father and a
daughter, who was his horsskeeper -
When she saw Dow coming she ran to
meet him, and demonstrated by her
looks and words the joy she felt. While
she was preparing supper she told him
that her father had gone to barn raising g
and would not return until midnight, and
detailed to him the happenings in the
reighbsrhosd since his last visit. After
the supper they were joined by a young
man, whom she introduced to Dow as
her future husband, if they could obtain
her fathers consent, which at that time
was not very probable, as he was bitter.
ly opposed to the union. They both urged
Dow TO use all his influence with the
father to obtain his consent, which he
promised to do. The touse, as many
were at that time, was only one story
high, ard from the ceiling, which was
made by laying loose slabs on the tim
ber used as joiSt, TO the roof was called
TIE loft. As there was only one room
down stairs, bed was made on the floor
of the loft for Dow, to which he retired
after praying with the young couple
He had not been long in bed before he


card loud knocking on the door and
commOtion down irs. By looking
through between two slabs he saw the
girl trying to ferce the young man up
stairs, but he would not go. She then
told him to get into tow box that stood
in the corner, and he did. Then she
opened the door and her father entered
He was cons iderably under the influence
Of liquor and in q very bad humor be-
cause he had been kept waiting SO long.
The girl told him he must keep quiet, as
their old friend Lorenzo Dow was in bed
on the loft, and said he ought to 60 up
and see him, but the father was sensible
enough TO know that his head was too
heavy to admit of him ascending an al
most perpendicular ladder, and did not
make the attempt. Dow, who had seen
and heard all that passed below, descend
ed the stairs. The father received Dow
at the foot Of the ladder with cordial
greetings, and insisted on him taking
some supper with him, but Dow refused
as he already had supper. After he had
concluded his meal he said "Mr. Dow
l have often heard that you can raise the
devil. and made up my mind that if
you ever came back to my house I would
get you to do it," Dow protested that
he could do no such thing, but the man
insisted that ho could and should. After
deliberatlng short time, Dow said /; ~
l must, L will F; but it is sorely against
my will. When be appears he will have
a streak Of fire behind him, SO yeu must
get water to put it out, otherwise it may
burn the house." All preparations being
made, Dow took in his hand the only
light in the room, and, after telling the
girl to open the door and her and her
father TO stand back in the corner, he set
on fire some Of the tow that protruded
through an open space in the box, ard
said in loud voice, "Thou imp of Satan,
leave this house until l bid thee return. -
The young man was sharp enough to
know that Dow vas getting him out of
bad acrape and selling soma tow in each
hand, which he held up to his face, he
spraRg out of the box and cut of the door
After he was gone, tho girl and Dow,
the father being paralyzed with fear,
put out the fire. Dow remained several
days, and during the time the inquiries
he made about the young man were ans
wered so much to his satisfaction that he
urged the father to consent to the mar
riage, and he did. Dow had the pleas
ure OF prsn0uncing the couple husband
and wife before his departure. Pttsbu1g
Comm erciat