Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1850-1854, 1852-12-03


Charley was full of talk, and the parents felt a
mutual pride in showing him off, even before their
humble guest who noticed him peculiarly, though
he had not much to say. Come Charley" said
Mr. w after the meal was over, and he sat lean
ing back in his chair can't you repeat the pretty
hymn mamma learnt You last sunday 2"
Charley started off without further invitation,
and repeated very accurately two three verses of
a new camp meeting hymn, that was just then We
ry popular.
"Now let us hsar you say the ten commandments
Charley" spoke up the mother well pleased at
her child's performance.
And Charley repeated them with the aid of
little prompting.
GLOW many commandments are there 2" asked
the father.
The child hesitatcd and then looking up at the
stranger, near whom he sat, said innoccntly-
GLOW many are there I"
"The man thought some moments, and said, as
if in doubt,
Eleven are there not 2"
Eleven" calculated Mrs. w. looking towards
the man with unfeigned surprise.
iS'N''N
than establishment in his voice. as it possible
sir, that you do not know how many command
mcntS there are How many are there, Charley!
Come, tell me-you know of course"
"Ten," replied the child.
"Right, my son" returned Mr.. w, looking
with a smile of approval. 'Right. There isn't
a child of his age within ten miles, who can't tell
you there are ten commandments. Did you ever
read the bible sir - addressing the stranger.
"When l little boy l used to read it
sometimes. But am sure thought there were
eleven commandments. Are you not mitaken
about there being only ten :"
Sister w. lifted her hands in unfeigncd aston
ishment and exclaimcd,-
Gould any one believe it Such ignorance of
the bible"
Mr.. w did not reply, but he rose, and going
to one corner of the room where the good book
lay upon little mahogany stand, brought it to the
table, and pushing away his plate, cup and saucer
laid the volume before him, and opened TO that
portion in which the commandments are recorded.
There y he said, placing his finger upon the
proof of the strangers error. "There, look for
Yourself"
The man came aronnd from his side of the ia
bic and loked over the farmers shoulder.
There! Ten dye sees
eyes, it does say ten," replied the man "and
vet it seems to me there are eleven. l am sure
have always thought So"
Doesn't it say ten here 2" inquired Mr. Wade
with marked impotence in his voice.
at does certainly"
"Wel what more do you want Can't you
believe the bible? 2"
20, yes,I believe the bible; and yet it strikes
me somehow that there must be eleven command
ments. Hasn't one been added somewhere else Z"
Now this was too much for brother and sister
w to bear. Such ignorance of sacred matters
they felt to be objectionable. a long lecture fol-
lowed in which the man Was scodcd, admonished
and threatened with divine Indignation AT its
close he asked if he might not have the bible TO
read for an hour before retiring for the night
This request was granted with more pleasure than
any of the preceding ones.
Shortly after supper the man was conducted to
the little square room, accompanied by the bible.
Before leaving him alone Mr.. w. felt it 10 be his
duty to cxhort him on spiritual things, and he did
so most earnestly for ten or fifteen minutes
But he could not that his words made much
impression, and he finally left his guest lamanting
his ignorance and obduracy
In the morning he came down, and meeting Mr..
w. asked him if he would be kind to lend
which did not give his face a very attractive as
pcct His request was complied with
1--WE will have family prayer in about ten min
utcS A-sid Mr.. w, as he handed in the razor and
shaving box.
The man appeared and behaved with due pro-
priety at family worship. After breakfast he
thanked the farmer and his wife for their hospitality
and departing went on his journey.
Ten O'Clock came, but Mr. n. had not yet ar
rived. So Mr. and Mrs W. started for the meet
ing house, not doubling that they would find him
there. But they Were disappointed. \ goodly
number of people ilsjd. ire meeting, house,
and a goodly number outside, Tut The minister
had not arrived.
"Where is Mr.. NJ" inquired dozeu
mcr.
He hasn't come yet. Something has detained
him, But | still look for him-indeed, l fully cx-
peetcd to find him here.
The day was cold, and Mr.. w. after becoming
thoroughly chilled, determined to go in and keep
a good lookout for the minister from the window
near which he usually sat. Others, from the same
cause followed his example, and the little meeting
house was soon filed and one after another came
dropping in. The farmer who turned toward the
door each time it opened, little surprised to
see his guest of the previous night enter, and
come slowly along the aisle, looking from side to
side, if in search of a vacant seat, very few of
which were now left, Still advancing, he got
within the little enclosed alter, and ascending the
pulpit, took off his old grey ovcrcoat, and sat
down.
By this time Mr.. w. was at his side, and had
his hand upon his arm
You mustn't sit here. Come down and I will
show you seat" he said in an excited manner
Thank you, returned the man in a composed
voice. 1T is very comfortable here And the
man remained immovable.
Mr.. W. feeling embarrassed, went down. in
tending to get brother official, to assist him