If they's arry man in Pine Ridge cammunity that tries to plow a strait row, hits Ezry. He's as reglar with his tendance at services as a thumb on a mitten, and a wheel horse when hit comes to meetin matters. If the Cirkit Rider is called out to do outside preachin or the river is up to wher he caint git to the services, Ezry can fill the pullpitt as good as the next un. The first time he done any out-loud talkin at meetin, he peered to be turible narvous and had to stop and ketch his breath, like a boy in swimmin outa season, but now he can stand ther by the hour and pour out a batch of talk as smooth as pourin wheat in a hopper. The services wouldn't be a suksess if Ezry never got up and give his come-handy prayer agin they was over. Course he allus changes it up some, takes some out and puts some in sorter like a woman makin over a old dress, but agin he gits to his feet and after he clears his throat right good and gits his nose blowed to suit him, abody can count on him makin the same argymint about right livin that he's made fer years. You know they's some that likes the preachin a heap better as long as they're talking bout the meanness thats bein did in some ferrin place, but Ezry can set ther with the parson makin reemarks that might nigh cuts the dirt out from under his feet and he wont squirm narry bit or try to get behind a post. Nuther thing bout Ezry, he dont flench none nor git up to go out and see bout his team when klectshun is bein took like some of the otherns does. He's not only a class leader in Sunday skoole, but he leads the singin at services. He's got anuff voice fer two ordynary fellers and sings mostly by main strenth without no hep from a organ or piany. Course Ezry's got the advantage over the otherns fer he's win the hog-callin contest at the county seat fer three years in suksessin. He can go right on threw eight or nine verses of long-meter singin without peerin to git a bit skeerse of breth and make the dust fly comin in on the home stretch. Nossir if ever meeting house had a Ezry Seestrunk, the Cirkit Rider wouldn't have to worry bout gettin jiners or bout the members keepin paid up with their quarterage.

-From "Lum and Abner and Their Friends from Pine Ridge, By Themselves"