An Eccentricity.

Cromwell Argus, Volume I, Issue 14, 16 February 1870, Page 7

An Eccentricity.

The late elder John Smith, of Kentucky, ■who died recently at an advanced age, was one of the most eccentric wits south of the Ohio River. He was familiarly known throughout Kentucky ami the West by the soubriquet of “Raccoon Smith.” While attending one of the meetings (if the Baptists, a tall, lank, green specimen of humanity presented himself before tho association to grant him the necessary license. In addition to his stupidity, young Weeks was the possessor of as ugly a pair of feet as ever trod shoe-leather. Tired of his importunities, and not being disposed to grant tho license, the association handed him over to Mr Smith with instructions to make an end to the case ; and between them took place the following conversation :—Smith : “ So, Brother Weeks, you think you have a special call to preach'!” Weeks: “Yes—the Lord has called me to tho work.” Smith : “ Do you believe the Bible, Brother Weeks?” Weeks : “ Certainly I do—every word of it.” Smith ; “ Well, if I can prove by the Bible that you are not called on to preach will you be satisfied to drop the matter?” Brother Weeks assented to this, and, “ Raccoon Smith” deliberatelyopened the New Testament at Romans x, 15, and in a grave tone read ; “ How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace,” &c. ; then glancing at Weeks’ feet remarked : “ You see, Brother Weeks, that the feet of the preachers are beautiful; you, Sir, have the most monstrous ugly feet of any man in the State in Kentucky ; therefore by the Bible it is clear that you have not been specially called.” As Smith finished his remarks the entire association went off into a paroxysm of laughter, and Weeks really concluding that he had not been “ called,” bolted from the meeting-house, and never afterwards annoyed the association for a license.