Year: 1873

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elbow; according to the wrestler's par
lance. Mark was afraid, and braced
himself. told him perhaps he had
better wait till another time, and
think he of himself would have done so.
but his comrades would not hear one
word about putting off the sport.


After few moments bracing about
he got calm, and began to make some
effort. The first chance habitat is
the first move he made with his feet, 1
took the advantage ofit, and flung him
very easy; he jumped up and came up
to me; and wanted to take hold again
1 told him no; that is not the agreement;
if the judges decide that flung you
that is sufficient. But, says Mark,
did not see how it was done; want to
take hold again; the judges said they
thought it was fall, but they did not
exactly see how it was done, and they
thought I ought to take hold again.
A, last I consented. We took hold the
second time; this time he showed more
science. I found myself much his SUI
perior for strength and motion, and
flung him very ea,ily-more so than at
first. He tried hard to induce me to
live him another trial, but in vain.
We shook hands, and agreed tC part
in friendship. I took Mark to one
side little Qor l was still afraid of
treachery), and said to Mark, 1 am q
stranger here. have 'beeu told that
there are persons who make it a point
to abuse preachers, and want you to
stand by me. Said Mark, 1 will stand
by you; you have nothing to fear; 1 am
a man of my word; when I give you my
word I stand by it. Deacon Webster
began to feel much better, and had
some color in his face.


Mark and parted, and I went home
with deacon Webster. Everything was
new, the deacon lived in a log-house
with two rooms. After supper I was
shown to my room and began to feel
the effects of hard days work, and
about going to sleep, I heard voices in
the adjoining room. Thought some
thing unusual was going on. Could
now and then hear strange shrill
voice and that of a woman. The dea-
cons wife would occasionally speak
with low voice. The truth of the
matter was had heard SO many hard
reports of the neighborhood, that did
not know what to expect; however, !
heard enough to know what was up.
The woman was neighbor, and wanted
to borrow some articles OF dress. She
said our folks had never been to meet
ing since we have lived in Kentucky
and l felt much better after l heard
what the woman had to say. AS to
Mark I felt satisfied of his good will,
but somewhat feared the treachery OF
the others. At length all was still
again, and l had a good nights sleep.
The next day at the hour, took hymn
book and sat off for the S. House
On my arrival there found quite mum
Der assembled, and in the course ol
half an hour it appeared crowded, the
S. House would not hold the hall
the people present, and the road was
full to the village.


I was informed that large barn
but a short distance from the S.
House would be put in order for the
occasion. The barn afforded fail
church for all to be seated in some way


The report of the wrestling with Marx
Sutton got to the village the same even
ing, and the weather being favorable
also, Marks influence among certain
class brought out one of the largest
congregations ever assembled in thai
part of Kentucky. After they all go
seated 1 looked and saw him in the op
posite part of the building. beckoned
| him to come to me. He came and sal
down close by me.


Well, said Bronson to my father
you know what did then? 1 preached
and never preached in all my life sc
easy Never in my life did feel more
of the spirit and faith, and my con
gregation showed signs of complete
participation with me. At the close Of
my discourse, many came forward and
requested me to leave another appoint.
ment, which l did of course, and
preached to them once every two weeks
during the year. Inever had any oe
casion to regret my acquaintance Will
Mark Sutton. He made useful mem.
ber in that society. l have hoarc
him Say in class-meeting that he did
not believe that he could have been In
duced to sit and hear Il Methodist
nreacher If IL. had not been for the