Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1851-10-02
Wit ono Gunor.
The Lord Sent it If the Devil
Brought il.

III my younger uitSS, WIS "Hslt peO-
pie called wild chap" and rather
think | was something of high boy.
Anything like fun stirred me up from the
bottom, and the way l "went it" some
times, when | was stirred up, people said
was rather curious.
believe my respect for religious rco-
plo was not quite as high as it should
have been, not SO high as it's now. This
grew out Of two things-a defective cdu-
cation and thoughtlessness. Ten or if.
teen years added to my mortal life has
sobered me somewhat, and at the pre-.
sent writing, l own to profound respect
for religion. | state this, that neither
the gay nor thoughtful reader may mis-
understand me, if the story l am going
to relate should seem to deal with some
levity in matters held sacred-I think the
rcbuke got, often as have laughed at
it since, put the laugh completely ON me
and my eampaaieea P!lie4.
There resisded in our neighborhood a
poor widow whose means of support
were extremely limited Between nur-
sing herself for rheumatism, and spinning
and knitting, most ofher lonely time was
passed. am ashamed to say that on
one or two occasions, joined some wild
youngsters in playing off tricks upon her,
such as making unusual noises about the
the house at night, smoking her almost
to death by putting a board over the top
Of herlow mud-built chimney, and such
like doings, that we thought rare sport,
but for which we deserved little whole
some chastisement, if there had been any
one authorized to administer it.
One night, soon after dark, it happen
ed that was returning home in company
with a merry fellow about my own age,
and had to go by old Granny Bender's
cottage. | had been into the town, and
was bringing home a couple of bakers
loaves," of which some of our people were
as fond as city people are of getting now
and then good taste Of country "home
made"
"Tom," said I, as the old woman's
cottage came in sight, at turn of the
road, "suppose we have little fun with
Granny Bendcr?"
agreed" was TOMS reply, for he was
always ready for sport.
We had not fully decided on what we
would do, when we came to the cottage,
and paused to settle our mode of annoy.
ance. The only light within, was the
dim Pickering Of few small sticks burn
ing on the hearth. AS we stood near the
window, listening to what was going on
inside, we found that Granny was pray
ing, and, little to our surprise, asking
for food.
AS she expects to get bread from
heaven" said |, irreverently, I" suppose
she will have to be accommodated
And turning from the window, clam
bered up, noiselessly, to the top of the
chimney, feat of no great difficulty,
and tumbled my two loaves down. When
| reached the window again, in order 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" says l to Tom; now
isn't it 2"
"I rather think it is" replied Tom.
"And is the old woman really such Il
fool as to think the Lord answered her
prayer, and sent her wcll-baked loaves
down the chimney?'
"No doubt of it,
"It won't do to let her labor under
this mistake; no, never in the world"
said /.
"Hello! Granny~ and drew open
the window, and pushed my laughing
face into the room.
She had just risen from her knees, and
was about putting piece of the bread
into her mouth.
Now, Granny Bender" said I, cit
isn't possible that you believe that bread
came from heaven! Why, you old sin.
ner, you! | threw it down the chimney"
BY this time the old woman's counter.