Martinsburg gazette. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1833-1855, 1844-08-22
THE POOR MANS MEAT BARREL
A TRUE STORY.

| ~
Some years since, there lived 10 the
town Of S., Massachusetts, most practi.
cal and good minister, by the name Of
P--.Two Of his Pensioners by the
name of White and Hagar, lived on the OPP
posite sides ola beautiful little pond that was
full of pckerel. White was rich farm.
er, and lived in two story house Hag-
ar was poor day laborer, with several
small children, and lived in a little log
hut on the very brink of the pond. Both
were members of the church.
On cold Sabbath morning in January,
farmer White started a, an early hour for
church, and, il being nearer, instead of
going by the road, he put across the pond
upon the ice. But how was he mortified
to find his brother Hagar upon it, fishing.
Fishing on the holy Sabbath He ap-
aproched him at once, and in feeling Of
offended plety, reprimanded him for his
great wickeduess. Hagar attempted TO
reply, but White would not hear him.
Hagar said he had a good excuse, and
that his brother White would not only
forgive, but even justify him, il he would
only 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, he accompanied parson P. a short
distance on the road, and related to him
the great wickedness he had witnessed in
I1agar, in the morning. Parson p,
though of a mild amiable temper, felt as
though Hagar ought to be brought to
judgemen, and made an example of Ac.
cordingly, the first time he met him, the
subject was preached with all due form
and gravity, as in days of yore, was Gus.
tomary in cases of such heroine often
ces.
The story OF farmer White was repeat.
ed, and the parson asked if it was tue.
Hagar replied in the affirmative, stating
also the fec. 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 i'll" "Why," said Hagar, II
worked for Mr.. B. all late on Saturday
night and expected to get something to
last my family over Sunday, at MIR. G's
store, on my way homo. But it was shut
up, and got nothing. We had nothing
but few potatoes in the house, and told
Mrs. Hagar that would 60 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 10 the water,
brother White came along and repriman-
ded me as he told you. thought was
dong right. was but few rods from
my house, and knew not where else TO
go for dinner. was very thankful when
the first fish bit. kept my mind med-
tating on religious truths all the time, and
just as soon as had the three | wanted |
went home. Twas so thankful when we
came to the table, that we had been pro.
vided with something to eat. We went
to church in the afternoon, and don't
think we did wrong. What else could
poor man do, who had nothing for his
wife and children 10 eat for the day,
but handful OF poor potatoes 7" The
parson gave i'm some good words Of adj
vice and comfort and they parted.
In the course of a few days, he met
farmer White who asked him, straitway,
if he had seen Hagar. EYES," was the
reply. "What did he say?' The par.
son related to him Hagar's story, and
then said--"Brother White, don't you
have a warm dinner on Sundays?" "Why,
yes" said the farmer, somewha, sup.
prised. elbow do you get il, brother
White 7" continued the minister, pleas.
anly. GLOW why, Mrs. White gees
to the meat barrel, and takes out
piece. 1t is enough for the whole fam
ily's dinner, and broil0, and fries IT, and
-" "Hold" said the parson "That
pond brother White, is Hagar's meat
barel-it's all the one he has, and every
body knows 1t. He took out just
enough for dinner, and no more; and,
though | cautioned him not to be cuaght
in such difficulty again, if he could pos
sibly avoid it, thought upon the whole
il would not be best to trouble the church
with the matter,
Farmer White was man Of sense, and
he admitted thatthe good parson was right.
The pond he said, was Hagar's meat bar
rel, and no mistake and he should say
nothing more about the matter.
The Apostles plucked the eur Of corn
on the Sabbath, aud ate, because they
were can hungered" and the Jews com.
planned of their Master. VIVA: was his
reply?
YEAR CLocKs.-A Mr.. Crane, OF New
ark, N. j., is manufacturing clocks which
wi RIM on antira veo with onre wind mn