Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, W.T. [i.e. Wis.]) 1843-1844, 1844-07-27
THE POOR MANS MEAT BARREL
A Coon MINIsTER-A True Story.

Some years since, there lived IN the
town Of S., Massachusetts,, a practical
and good Minister by the name of P
Two of his Pensioners, by the names
ofWhite & Hagar, lived on the opposite
side of bea utiful little pond that was
full of pickeral. White was rich far
mer, and lived in little long hut on
the very brink of the pond. Both
were members of the church.
On cold Sabbath morningin Janua-
ry, farmer White started at an early
hour for church, and il being nearer,
instead of going by the road, he cut a
cross the pond upon the ice. But how
was he mortified and shocked TO find
poor brother Hagar upon it, fishing
He approached him at once, and with
stern voice and feeling of deeply of
Tended piety, reprimaded him for his
great wickedness. Hagar attempted to
reply, but White would not hear him.
Hagar said he had good excuse, and
that his brother White would not only
forgive, but even justify him, if he
would consent to hear. But no, no,
he would lay the matter before the
church, was the only reply.
Accordingly as soon as meeting was
over in the afternoon, he accompanied
parson P. short distance on the road
and related to him the great wicked
ness he had witnessed in Hagar, in the
morning. Parson p, thought of mild
and amiable temper, felt as though
Hagar ought to be broughtto judgment,
and made an example of. Accordingly,
the first time he met him, the subject
was preached with all due form and
gravity, as in days of yore in all such
cases. made and provided. The story
of farmer White was repeated, and he
asked il IL aoaS true? Hagar replied
in the affirmative, stating also the fact
that brother White refused to hear an
explanation, which he desired to give,
and which he now proposed to state.
Well, said the parson mildly, what is
it? why said Hagar, Il worked for
Mr.. b. till late on Saturday night, and
expected TO get something to last my
family over Sunday, at Mr.. G.'s store,
on my way home. But it was shut
up, and got nothing. We had no.
thing but few potatoes in the house,
and ! told Mrs. Hagar that ! would
90 out on the pond and catch three
pickerel. She made no answer. And
accordingly, in the morning, just as
had cut hole in the ice, and put my
hook in the water, brother White
came along and reprimanded me as he
told you. Ithougt | was doing right.
| was but few rods from my house,
and | knew not where else to 60 for
dinner, | was very thankful when
the first fish bit; kept my mind med
itating on religious truths all the time,
and lust as soon as | had the three |
wanted, went home. ! was thankful
when we came to the table that we
had been provided with something TO
eat. We went to church in the after
noon. and | don't think did wrong.
What else could poor man do, who
had nothing for his wife and children
to eat for the day but handful OF poor
potatoes?" When the minister next
saw neighbor White he related to him
Hagar's story, and then said, Mr.
White, don't you have warm dinners
On Sundav2 Whv YES, said the farmer,
somewhat surprised-Iiow DO you get
it, Mr.. White? continued the minis
ter, pleasantly. HoO--why Mrs.
White goes 10 the meat barrel, and
takes out piece, large enoqg h for the
whole f4mily's dinner. and bosis, or
fries it, and-Hold, said the parson.
That pond, Mr.. White, is Hagaf's
meat jarreE-it is all the one ne has,
and every body knoUs IL. lie took
out Just meat enough for dinner, and no
more; and though cautioned him not
to be caught in such difficulty again,
if he could possibly avoid it, thought
upon the whole it would not be best to
trouble the church with the matter.
Farmer White was a man of sense, and
he admitted that the good parson was
right. The pond, he said was Hagar'S
meat barrel, and no mistake; and he
should say nothing more about the
matter.-Portland Argus.
ADVICE TO YOUNG MAIDENS.