State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1831-1836, 1836-11-08
From the North Carolina Waterman.
WILL TRUST IN PROVIDENCE
ONE DAY LONGER.


IA SHoRT TALE. On Johns River, in the
bunty of Burke, there lived worthy old
Gentleman by the name of Copenlng. lie
was n man well at ease in point of worldly
substance, and was known far and near for
his charity aud hospitality. There happen
ed i'm the year - remarkable scarcely
of provisions, especially grain. Money also
was scarce, and times every way hard.
Hunger, aching, mnddening hunger was
felt by a few i'll every neighborhoot., and III
some cases we have heard of its proceed
ing to starvation; but to the honor of our
country and to the honor of human nature
I've it said, these cases were extremely rare.
In these difficult times, however, old Mr.
Copening happensd to have large and well
filed corncrih, which for long time, lie
would not opcn: grain became scarcer, the
pr ces rose higher and higher, and still the
old man hell up his corn as some supposed
for higher price. Al lcugth Mr. Copenng
began to let his corn go but money could
not buy ito those who had money he
would say "you can get something to pre-
serve life for your money; there are many
who have no money, and being without
food, they must perish unless those who
ARE blessed with the means shall feed them"
o. course. The nnmhrr that came without
money and put up piteous tales was great.
But this was foreseCn, and before he had
opened his crib, Copenng had taken pains
TO find out who were really objects rcqulr-
ing his assistance. One safe rule lac adopt
ed against imposition was, not TO LIT has
charity 20 too far from home. If this rule
was now generally adopted, much more
real good would be effected with the amount
annually contributed by us of the South
This rule, however, like a general rules,
will sometimes work wrong, and it did
with or hero land he better deserves that
name than thousands who have gained it.,
by the rumbers they have slaughtered OF
the human fa;ny.) A man bringing a bag
with him came to Copenng from distant
neighborhood, aud told the usual story Of
wife aud children being without bread, and
being sorely wrought with hunger, &c. but
no corn was to be had, and the disappoinl-
ed man, with heavy heart, turned his
steps home ward, and for time was no
more thought Of In the course Of the af-
ternoon, however, word came to old Mr.
Copening that a suspicious looking stranger
with bag on his shoulder was seen Turk
ing about his premises; few particulars
more satisfied him that this was the nppll-
cant for charity who had visited him that
morning, and that he had design to rob
his crib, that night; accordingly himself
and another of his family secreted them
selves and waited events. But they did not
wait long before the stranger with the bag
on his shoulder was seen making his way
towards the crib; the crib was opened, not
dog was heard to bark, or the least diff
Guilty opposed to his purpose: he entered
and with deliberation, or rather hesitation,
that surprised the observers, he proceeded
to fill the bag. 4 his being done, he tied it,,
and unlike such visitors generally he con
tnued on the spot with his hand still on tho
bag, apparently in great mental agony; at
length, he rose suddenly, united the bag,
poured out the corn, and said, 81 ,ciH trust
to Providence one day longer.' He depart
ed in peace, hut he did not trust in Provi-
dence in vain: old Mr. Copening being sat
isiied from his own observation, that this
man was indeed in a state of extreme sut-
fering; moreover, that he was of all honest
heart, sent his son on the next morning
with full ing Of corn, with message that
when that was out to LEI him know il, and
he should have corn whenever he wished it.