When I was out West thirty years ago I was preaching one day in the open
air when a man drove up in a fine turnout. After listening for a while he
put his whip to his fine-looking steed, and away he went. I did not expect
to see him again, but the next night he came back; and he kept on coming
regularly night after night.
I said to a gentleman: "Who is that man who drives up here every night? Is
he interested?"
"Interested! I should think not. You should have heard the way he talked
about you today."
"Well," I said, "that is a sign he is interested."
I asked where he lived, but my friend told me not to go to see him; for he
would only curse me. I said, "It takes God to curse a man: man can only
bring curses on his own head."
I found out where he lived, and went to see him. He was the wealthiest man
within a hundred miles of that place, and had a wife and seven beautiful
children. Just as I reached his gate, I saw him coming out of the front
door. I stepped up to him, and said:--
"You are Mr. Davis, I believe?"