Rensselaer Republican, Volume 27, Number 36, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 2 May 1895 — A YARN FROM THE BEYOND. [ARTICLE]

A YARN FROM THE BEYOND.

Unconscious Second Sight of a Clergyman in Dangeron* Position. New York Sun. This is the story exactly as it waa written by a person who heard jt told by a serious minded woman who sat on the opposite sid^j.of the dinner table: “There was once a lonely village on a river in Ohio. The people were good and gentle, much owing to the influence of an excellent old clergyman who had Jong lived among them. “On the opposite bank of the river was a logging camp. The men who lived in this’logging camp were desperate, dissolute and savage as it is possible for hardened humanity to be: Sheer physical timidity on the one hand,contempt on the other, bad prevented any intercourse between the village and the carnp. “A sense of the hopelessness of the task had kept the clergyman from trying the powerof religion on the loggers, until a new saloon Ahe logging qamp the clergyman and persuaded him t'o preach to the desperadoes across the river, guaranteeing his bodily safety on the-strength of the saloon keeper’s popularity. “When the clergyman reached the hall secured for the religious service in the camp, he found a large but hostile congregation. As soon as the clergyman began his prayer catcalls. Footings, and profanity were heard on all sides. When these noises rose to a hubbub the clergyman exerted his voice and said firmly: “ ‘lt will be impossible for me to proceed with this service unless order is restored.’ “Instantly a sort of electric shock seemed to startle the men. The front bench, full of some particular-" ly- obstreperous men. seemed specially agitated and horrified. The men fell into groups, talking eagerly and breathlessly, and just as the crisis in- their mood seemed about to be reached and they were about to falLupotrthee clergyman, the saloonkeeper hurried him away, got ■ him into a conveyance in waitmgand drove at all speed into the country. “When they could speak the saloon keeper said: ‘What tempted you to say that? Your life was in danger.’ “ ‘lt was what t meant to say,’ answered the clergyman. ‘I had anticipated this, and determined in advance to say what I did say: “It will be impossible for me to proceed with this service unless order is re- j stored.” .Why such a statement' should have made the kind of effect I cannot imagine.’ “ ‘That is not what you said,’ ex- j claimed the saloon keeper in amazement. CWhafr you said was: “James Owen, in two weeks’ time your body will be taken from the river a drowned man,’’ and L heard it, and Jim Owen heard it, and al) the bbys heard it, for they all began talking about it at once.’ “ ‘Who is James Owen?’ demanded the clergyman. I said no such thing; and, furthermore, 1 do not know the name of one of the men in j the congregation today. ’ “ ‘James Owen is the ringleader ol ! the whole gang, headed the disturb- | ance today, and sat with the toughs in the front pew.’ was the dazed saloon keeper’s comments “A fortnight from that day a drowned logger was taken from the ; river, and the body’ was identified as i that of James Owen.”