Anti-slavery bugle. [volume] (New-Lisbon, Ohio) 1845-1861, 1848-08-04
The Lord sent IT, if the Devil
brought it.
JOSEPH BARKER

There resided in my neighborhood a poor
widow, whose means of support were exceed
ingly limited. Between nursing herself for
rheumatism, and spinning and knitting. most
of her lonely time was passed. | am asham-
ed to say, that on one or two occasions, !
Joined some wild young chaps in playing off
tricks upon her, such as making unusual
noises about the house at night, smoking her
almost to death by putting a board over the
top OF her low mud-built chimney, and such
like doings that we thought rare sport, but
for which we deserved a little wholesome
chastisement, if there had been any one au-
thorlzed to administer it.
One night, soon after dark, it happened
that was returning home in company with
a merry fellow about my age. and had to 90
by old Granny Bender's cottage. | had been
In town, and was bringing home a couple Of
" bakers l%oaves," of which some of our folks
were as fond as city people are of getting
now and then a good taste of country ''home-
made"
"Tom," said |, as the woman's cot
tage came IN sight at a turn of the road
" suppose we have a little fun with Granny
Bender"
agreed" was Toms answer, for he was
always ready for sport.
we had not fully decided upon what we
would do, when we came up TO the cottage,
and paused TO SETTLE our mode of ANNOYANCE.
The only light within was the dim fickerinr
OF a few small sticks burning on the hearth.
AS we stood near the window, listening to
what was going on inside. we found that
Granny was praying, and a little to our sur
prise, asking for food.
"As she expects to get food from heaven"
said |, irreverently, ~ suppose she will have
TO be accommodated"
And turning from the window, | Chamber
ed up noiselessly TO the top Of her chimney,
a feat OF no great difficulty, and tumbled my
two %loaves down.
When ! reached the window again, in or
der to see what effect this mode of supply
would have upon Granny Bender, | found
the good old creature on her knees, %piously
thanking God for having answered her PRAYER.
That's cool" said | to Tom, now isn't
it?"
81 rather think it is" replied Tom.
"And is the old woman really such a fool
as 10 think that the Lord answered her prayer,
and sent her well baked loaves of bread down
the chimney.
mo doubt of it,
SIT won't do to let her labor under the
mistake-no. never in the world" said /.
"Hallo, Granny " and | threw open the
window, pushing my laughing face into the
room.
She had arisen from her knees, and was
about putting a piece of bread into her mouth.
"Now, Granny Bender" said /, it isn't
possible that you believed that bread came
from heaven! Why. you old sinner, | threw
it down the chimney"
By this time the old woman's countenance
was turned fully towards me, and by the
dim light of the feeble fire, | could see there
were tears of thankfulness upon her faded
and withered face. The expression of that
face did not in the least change, though there
was a deep rebuke in the tones of her voice,
as well as in the words she uttered, as she
said /:
1.-The Lord sent it, if the devil brought it :"
You may be sure that | vanished instanter,
while Tom clapped his hands, and shouted,
GOOD good too good oh dear! but
the old lady was too much for you that time!"
with sundry other expressions of like tie nor.
| tried to laugh, and did laugh, perhaps,
as loud as he did, but some how or other,
the laugh didn't appear to do me any good.
After that let Granny Bender alone
Dayton Empire.