The Kalida venture. [volume] (Kalida, Ohio) 1841-1865, 1853-01-21
THE ELEVENTH. COMMAND
NIENT.

T. s. Arthur tells a good story, we
heard years ago, about loving couple
in new Jersey, who belonged 10 the
Methods, church. A new presiding
Elder Mr.. N, was expected in that
district; and, as the ministers all
stopped with brother W. aud bis
wife, every preparation was made to
give him q cordial reception. The hon
est couple thought that religion, in part
consisted in making some parade, and
therefore the parlor was put in o,der, a
fire made, and the kitchen replcGished
with cskes, chickens, and every dellcacy,
preparatory 10 cooking.
While Mr.. w. was out a, his wood
pile, plain looking coarsely dres-
sed, bu, quie,-like pedestrian came
along, and inquired the distance to The
next town. He was told that it was
three miles. Being very inclement, he
asked permission {" enter aud warm him
self. Assem-, was given very grudgingly,
aud both went into the kitchen. The
wife looked daggers a, this un,:medly in
trusion, for the stranger had on cowhide
boots, an old hat, and thread bare, bu,
neatly patched coat. Al length she
gave b In cbsit beside the dulch-oven
which was baking nice cakes for the
Presidips Elder who was momen,arily
expeeted, and he WIS to preach the next
my at the church mile VI two beyond i.
The stranger, after warming himself,
prepared to leave, the weather became
more inclemeh', and his appetite was
aroused by the viands abnu, the fire, he
asked for some little refreshment ere he sci
out ON cod walk TO tie town beyond.
Mrs. w. was disp.eased, but on con.
sultation with her husband, some cold
b con and bread were sci IN an old table,
and he was somewhat grufly told 10 eat
/, was growing dark, and hints we've
thrown out, that the stranger had better
depart, an i, wss three long miles to tow n.
The vile grew pelulant, as the new
preacher did not arrive, ard her husband
sn, whis,ling the air of"Auld Lang Syne,"
while he thought Of the words Of the
hymu, "When ! can read my titles clear"
and fel, as If be could order the stranger
off withou, further ado. a,
The homely nseal was ut last conclud.-
ed-the man thanked them kindly for the
hospitality he had received, and opened
the door to go. But il was quite dark,
and clouds, deno,ing storm, filled the
henvens. or4r aa
"You say it is full three miles to
ii do, ,"replied MI. w. coldly, ~ said
so when you FIRST stopped, aid you ought
10 have pushed on. like prudent maa.---
You could have reached there before it
was quite dark" 'n t
"Bu, / was cold and hungry, and might
have tainted By tho way.''
The manner Of saying this touched The
farmers feelings little. ~
"You have. warmed me and fed me,
for which am thankful. viii you no.
bestow another act Of kindness upon one
who is in a strange place, and il he goes
out in the darkness, may lose himself and
perish in the cold!"
The peculiar form in which this re.
quest was made, the tone in which il was
uttered, put ii, out OF the power of,he farm.
or 10 say no.
"Go in there and Sit down." he answer
ed, pointing to the kitchen, sand will
see my wife and hear what she says
And Mr.. W. went into the parlor
where the supper table stood, covered
with snow white cloth, and displaying
lis wife's set ofblue>sprigged china, thai