The Literary echo, and Pawcatuck advertiser. [volume] (Westerly, R.I.) 1851-1854, 1853-02-24
Gelffte0.


| T. s. Arthur tells good story, We
heard years ago, about loving couple
in New Jersey who belonged to the
Methodist Church. A new presiding
Elder, Mr.. N, was expected in tina
district; and the ministers all stopped
with brother W., and his wife. Ever
preparation was made to give him ;
cordial reception. The honest couple
thought that religion, in part, consisted
in making some parade, and therefore
the parlor was put in order, nice fire
was made, and the kitchen was replen.
ished with cakes, chickens, and every
delicacy, preparatory to cooking.
While Mr.. w., was out at his wood
pile plain looking, eoarsely dressed
but quiet-likc pedestrian came along and
enquired the distance to the next town.
He was told that it was three miles
Being very inclement he asked permis
sion to enter and warm himself. As
sent vas given very grudgiogly, anc
both vent into the kitchen. The wife
booked daggers at this untimely intru-
sion, for the stranger had on cow-hide
boots, an old hat, and thread bare, but
neatly patched coat. At length she
gave him chair beside the Dutch oven
which was baking nice cakes for the
Presiding Elder who was momentarily
lexpected, and he was to preach the next
day ut the church, mile or two be-
yond.
The stranger, after warming Aimsclf,
prepared to leave, but the weather be-
came more inclement, and as his appc-
tite was roused by the viands about the
ere, he asked for some litde refreshment
ere he set out on cold walk to the
town beyond. nrs. w. was displeased
but on consultation with ber husband
some cold bacon and bread was set on
an. old table, and he was somewhat
grufny told to eat. 1t was now growing
dark, and hints we're thrown out that
the stranger had better depart, as it
was three long miles to town. The wife
grew petulant, as the preacher did not
arrive, and her husband sat whist!ing
the air Of +" Aud Lang Lyne," while he
thought of the words of the hymn
+" When can read my title clear" and
felt as if he could order the stranger of
without any further ads
The homely meal was at last conclud-
ed-the man thanked them kindly for
the hospitality he had received, and
opened the door to 60. But it was quite
dark, and the clouds denoting storm
filed the heavens
"You say it is full three miles to
lD-?"
CT do" said Mr.. w. coldly," I" I said
so when you FIRST stopped, and you ought
to have pushed on, like prudent man.
You could have reached there before it
vas quite dark" 1o
"But I was cold and hungry, and
might have tainted by the way"
The manner of saying this touched
the farmers heart a little.
"You have warmed me and fed me,
for which am thankful. Will you moi
|bestow another act of kindness upon one
in strange place, and, if he goes out il
the darkness, may loose himself and
perish in the cold!"
The peculiar form in which this re-
quest was made, and the tone in whiel
lit was uttered, put it out Of the powei
loe the farmer to saw no.
"Go in there and sit down." he an
swered, pointing to the kitchen, and
will see my wife and hear what she
says" 1r tnh 2
Mr.. w. went into the parlor where
the supper table stood, covered with I
snow-white cloth, and displaying hi
wife's set Of bluc-sprigged china, tha
was only brought out on special oc
The tall mould candles were burnin,
thereon, and the hearth blazed q cheer
Iful Ere.
Hasn% that old fellow gone vet .
lssked Mrs. w. She heard his voice a.
he returned from the door.
"No, and what do you suppose ! H,
wants ms to let him stay all night" p.
"Ipdeed we'll do no such thing! W.
can't have the likes Of him in the hous'
lnow. Where could hc sleep J" r..si =
Not in the best room, even II Mr.
IN. should not come"
"No indeed 70 .'.- wv 80
"But really, I den't sec Jane, hos
I've cen turn him OUT Of doors. He doe
mot look Ike . very strong paa, and !