Fremont journal. [volume] (Fremont, Sandusky County [Ohio]) 1853-1866, 1853-11-05

a little talk with your husband, and see If /
cant get him to buy some of my good books.
+, Have you bible
"No sir. My husband says he hates the
Bible. When We were first married, had
an old Testament, but he never could bear 10
see me reading il; Somehow, Il got lost, but
always thought he carried It away or threw
II in the fire. He won't talk to you sir. He
won't have your books He's a very bad TEN.
percd man. sometimes, and I'm afraid he'll d.
you harm. o! sir, | wish you would 20
away
But, instead Of showing any alarm or snxi-
ETY. at Mrs Jones's account of her husband the
stranger commenced opening his valise, from
which he soon produced aplainly bound copy
Of the Bible.
"iiow long since you were married ?" ask
ed the c|l |lporteur, ms he opened the Bible and
commenced turning over the leaves.
Twelve years come mex, May, sir" was
answered.
How long is il since you lost the Tcsta-
ment p
"Most eleven years"
"Do you 60 TO church ?"
"To church," The woman looked surprised
at the question. "Drar saies mol | havn't
been inside church since was married"
Wouldn't you like TO go?"
''What 'ud be the use? wouldn't say
church to Dick for the world"
"fhen you havn'. read the Bible yourself,
nor heard any one else read it, since you lost
the Tcstament?'
"No, SIR"
"You shall have that blessed privilege once
again in your life.' said the stranger, raising
the book towards his eyes, and making prep
araii m to read
Indeed, sir I'm afraid. I'm looking for my
husband every minute nterposed the woman
"He's always said he'd kick the first Bible ped
Ter out of his house that dared TO cross his
door, And he'll do it. He's very wicked and
passionate, sometimes Do sir, please 90 way
IL had any money I'd take the bible and hide
it from him; but l haven't. Please don't
stay any longer Don't begin to read fhe
comes in and finds you reading, he'll be mad
enough to kill you.
But for all this the colportcur sat unmov.
ed.
AS the woman ceased speaking. he com
mcnced reading to her the beautiful chapter
from our Lords sermon on the mount begin
ming with-"Takc heed that We do not your
aims before men to be seen Of them; other
wise yc have no reward OF your Father which
is in blcaven." AS he proceeded in low
distinct reveren:ial voice, the woman's ac;a-
ton gradually suhsided, and she leaned f. r
ward llscnining m)re and mpre inten,ly, un-
I'll all thoughts and feelings were absorbed in
the holy words that were filling her cars
When the coli porteur finished the chapter he
raised his eyes to the face Of the woman, and
saw that it was wet with tears At that in
stani, form darkened the door, 1t was the
form Of Dick Jones.
'llaP he exclaimed in harsh voice. What's
this Who are your
Comprchcndny now the scene before him.
Jones began swearing awfuy, at the same
time ordering the stranger TO leave his house,
threatening to kick him from the door il he
diin't move instantly. The fearful wife step
ped between her husband and the object ui
his wrath; but he swept her aside roughly and
with curses,
AGO before-l throw you into the road ? and
the strong man, ecery iron mscle tense with
anger stood towering over the strangers sleu-
der form, like an eagle above its helpless
prey.
How cam and fearless the stranger sat his
mild. deep, almost spiritual eyes, fixed ON those
Of his mad assailani.
"i'lcss the Lord 0 my soul, and forget not
all His benefits"
Low, yet thrilling was the voice in which
these words found almost spontaneous utter
ance. lie had taken no forethousht as to
what he should say. Ilither he had come at
the prompting Of duty, and now. when ray.
ing lion WAS in his path, he shrunk not back
n terror, but resting in divine power, moved
steady onward.
Clear out from here, sayr The voice of
Dick jones was angry still; yet something of
It's evil purpose was gone.
The Lord is my light and my salvation:
whom shall fear? The Lord is my strength
and my life: of whom shall be afraid?
Neither loud nor in self confidence was this
spoken: else it wond not bave fallen on the
ears Of that evil minded man with So
strange power.
'Why have you came here 10 trouble me
Go now-go before do you harm,' said Dick
J1nes greatly subducd in manner, and sinking
40 MS chalr as ne spoke.
The colportcur, moved less by thought than
impulse, opened the Bible which had been
Closed on the entrlnce of Jones, and commen,
ced reading. All was still, now. save the low
eloq, elt voice of the stranger. as he read the
Holy book The wife of Jones, who had
stood ha'fparalyzed with fear in distant part
Of the room, whittier an impatient arm had
A.. A., IL. FL
was passing stole quietly to her husbands
side, and bending her head even as his was
bent listened. with an almost charmed alten-
r'ol to the Word of Lie. as read by the man
of God who had penetrated the dense moral
widerncss in which they had so long dwelt.
Let us pray
How strange these words sounded They
seemed spoken as iffrom heaven above them
and by voice that they could not disre-
gard.
Brief. yet earnest, and in fitting language.
was the prayer. then tearfuly Ihade. and re-
y - 4