Eastern times. [volume] (Bath, Me.) 1846-1857, 1854-12-28
Ggt Storpy GelIer,
THE eleventh COMMANDMENT.

MIR. N, was expected In tnat district, and
as the ministers all stopped with brother w.
and his wife, every preparation was made to
give him cordial reception. The honest
couple thought that religion in part consisted
in making some parade, and therefore the par
lor was put in order, nice fire was made,
and the kitchen replenished with cake, chick
ems and every delicacy, preparatory to cook
ing.
While Mr.. w. was out at his wood pile, a
plain-looking, sely-dressed, but quiet-like
pedestrian came along and inquired the dis
tance to the next town. He was told that it
was three miles. Being very cold, he asked
permission to enter and warm himself AS
sent was given very grudgingly, and both went
into the kitchen. The wife looked daggers at
this untimely intrusion, for the stranger had
on cow-hide boots, an old hat, and a 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 expected, as he was to
preach the next day at the church mile or
two beyond.
The stranger, after warming himself, pre-
pared to leave, but the weather became in
clement, and as his appetite was reused by the
viands about the fire, he asked for some little
refreshment ere he set out for cold walk to
the town beyond. Mrs. W. was dlspIeased,
but on consultation with her husband, some
cold bacon and bread were set out on an old
table, and he was then somewhat gruffly told
to eat. 1t was growing dark and hints were
thrown out that the stranger had better depart,
as 1t was three long miles to town. The
wife grew petulant as the new preacher did
not arrive, and her husband sat whistlng the
air of 'Auld Lang Syne,' while he thought
of the words of the hyn When / can read
my title clear and ielt as II he coHld order
the stranger off without any further ado.
The homely meal was at last concluded
the man thanked him kindly for the hospitai-
ty he had received, and opened the door to 90.
But it was quite dark, and the clouds denot-
ing storm filled the heavens
You say it is full three miles to D-!'
uo, SdIu MI. w =, coldly i said so
when you first stopped, and you ought to have
pushed on like prudent man. You could
have reached there before it was quite dark
But was cold and hungry, and might
have tainted by the way.
The manner of saying this touched the farm
er's feelings little
You have warmed and fed me, for which
am thankful. Will you not bestow another
act OF Kindness upon one in strange place,
who, if he goes out in the darkness, may lose
himself and perish in the cold =
The particular form in which this request
was made, and the tone in which it was ut
tered, put it out Of the power of the farmer to
say no.
20 in there and sit down., he answered.
pointing to the kitchen, snd will see my
wife and hear what she saws
And Mr.. w. went into the paror where
the supper table stood, covered with snow
white cloth, and displaying his wifes set Of
blue sprigged China, that was only brought
out on special occasions.
on, and on the hearth bazed cheerful fire.
Hasn't that old fellow gone yet!' asked
Mrs. w. She heard his voice as he returned
from the door,
No, and what doyo suppose! He wants
US to let him stay all night
Indeed, we'll do no such thing We can't
have the likes of him in the house now
Where could he sleepl'
Not in the best room, even if Mr.. n.
should not come
& No indeed =
But really, don't see. Jane, how we can
turn him out of doors, He doesn't look like
very strong man, and it's dark and cold, and
full three miles to D.
It's too much he ought to have gone on
while he had daylight, and not fingered here,
as he did, till it got dark.
We can't turn him out of doors, Jane, and
5t's no use to think OF il. He'll have TO stay
somehow
But what can we do with him 2
He seems like decent man at least. and
doesn't look as 1t he had anything bad about
him. We might make him bed on the floor
somewhere.
l wish he had been at Guinea before he
came here' SAID Mrs. W., fretfully. The
disappointment which the conviction that Mr..
n. would not arrive, occasioned her to feel,
and the instrusion Of SO unwelcome visitor as
the stranger, completely unhinged her mind.
Oh, WELL replied her husband II 4 sooth-
ing voice, never mind We must make the
best of it. He came to us tired and bunorv
and we warmed and fed him. He no,y 49,
shelter for the night, and we must not refuse
him, nor grant his request in complainino or
reluctant style. You know what the Bible
says about entertaining angels unawares.'
Angels did you ever see an angel look
like him!'
Having never seen an angel said the
farmer, smiling, i am unable to speak as to
their appearance
This had the effect to call an answering
smile from Mrs. W., and better feeling at
her heart. 1t was finally agreed between
them that the man, as he seemed like decent