Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1852-12-09
But What can We Id with him 4,

i
came here + said Mrs. W fretfully Th,
disappointment and conviction that Mr.. N
would not arrive, occasioned her to feel, and
the Intrusion Of 50 nnWelcome visitor a.
the stranger, completely unhinged her mind
O, well, Jane, REPLIED her husband, in q
soothing tone, never mind. We must
make the best Of IT. He came to us tired
and hungry, and we warmed and fed him.
He now asks shelter for the night, and
must mot refuse him, nor grant his
in . complaining q rslustant spirit
know what the bible says about entertain.
ing angels unawares I
Angels did You ever ses 50 angel look
like him2'
Having never seen an angel, said the
farmer, smiling, am unable to speak as to
their appearance
This had the effect to call an answering
smile to the face of Mrs. w and a better
feeling to the heart 1t was finally agreed
between them that the man, as he seemed
like decent kind of person, should be per-
mitted to occupy the minister's room, if that
individual did not arrive, an event to which
they both now looked with but small expec-
fancy 1.-The did come, why the man would
have to put up with poorer accommodations.
When Mr.. W returned ito the kitchen,
where the stranger had seated himself before
the fire, lie informed him that they had de-
eided to let him stay all night The man
expressed in few words his grateful sense
OF the kindness, and then becspe silent and
thoughtful. Soon after, the farmers wife,
giving up all hope of Mr.. Ms arrival had
supper taken up, which consisted of coffee,
warm short cakes and broiled chickens. AT
ter all was on the table short conference
was held as to whether it would DO not to in
Ylte the stranger t. take suppers 1t was
true they had given him as much bread and
baeon-as he could eat, but then. as long as
he was going TO stay all night, it looked too
lnhospitable to sit down to tie table and not
ask him to join them So, making virtue
Of necessity, he was kindly asked to come to
supper-an invitation which he did not de.
cline. Grace was said over the meal by Mr..
W and then the coffee was poured out the
bread helped, and the meat carved.
There was fine little boy six years old.
at the table, who had been Frightened up
and dressed in his best, in order to grace
the minister's reception Charley was full
OF talk, and the parents felt a mutual pride
In showing him off even before their humble
guest, who noticed him particularly, though
be had not mucht to say Come, Charley,
Haid Mr. w after the meal was over, and i
be sat leaning back ii his chair. can't YOU
repeat the pretty hymn mamma learned you
last Sunday p
Charley started of witbeut further inyi.
alton, and repeated very aseurately Two or
ny Now Ti eE Is r. IeiF you Riy md soiahifhd.
nonts, Charley spoke up the mother, well
pleased ut her ebild's performance
And Charley repeated them with the aid
II little prompting, ~
How many commandments are there =
lsked the father,
The child hesitated, and then looking up /
It the stranger, near whom he sat, said, in
How many are therea
The man thought for some moments, and
said, as fin doubt
Eleven, are there not p
Eleven calculated Mrs w looking to-
wards the man with unfcignedsurprise.
Eleven said her husband, with mere
rebuke than astonishmeut IN his voice is
il possible, sir, that you do not know how
many commandments there are2 How ma
ny are there, Charley2 Come, tell me-yOS
know, of course
sTen,' replied the child,
Right my son3 returned Mr.. W. looking
with smile Of approval Right There
isn't child Of his age in ten miles who can't
tell you there are ten commandments. Did
YOU ever read the Bible, sir = addressing
the stranger.
When I was little boy l used to read
it sometimes. But | am sure | thought
there were eleven commandments Areyou
not mistaken about there being only ten 2
Sister w lifted her hands in. unfeigned
and exclaimed,
sCould any one believe it Such igno-
rance of the Bible 7
Mr.. W. did not reply, but he rose, and go
ing to one corner Of the room where the good
book lay upon small 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 he said, placing his finger upon
the proof of the strangers error. There
look for yourself
The man came around from his side Of the
table and looked over the farmers shoulder.
There Ten dye see
Yes, it does say TEN replied the Pm
Z and yet it seems to me there are elevaL-
I'm am sure have always thought So
Doesn't il say ten here 2 acquired Mr..
Wade, with marked impotence in his voice.
1t does, certainly
We'll, what more Dc you want2 Can't
YOU believe the Bible r
20, yes, believe the Bible and yet It
strikes me somehow that there must be elev-
on commandments. Hasn't one been added
somewhere else 2
Now this was too much for Brother and
Sister w. to hear. Such ignorance Of sacred
matters they felt objectionable. A long lee
ture followed; in which the man was scold-
ed, admonished and threatened with divine
indignation. At its close he modestly ask
cd If be might not have the Bible to read for
an hour or two before retiring for the night.
This request was granted with mere pleasure
than any Of the preceding ones
Shortly after supper the man was conduct
| ed to the little square room, accompanied By
the Bible Before leaving him alene, Dir
| ". felt it to be his duty TO exhort him Of
spiritual things, and he did 50 most earnest
IL fer ten Or fifteen inmates But be conlt
not see that his words made much impression
/ and be finally jeff his guest, lamenting BIZ
ignorance and obduracy