The southern enterprise. [volume] (Greenville, S.C.) 1854-1870, 1854-09-01

"Good morning" returned the stranger,
cheerfully, as he threw open the ill-hung
gate, and entered the forbidden grounds Of
Dick Jones. % f's t~'F
Now, our brave friend, the colporteur,
was not a strong, robust man, able to meet
and resist physical violence. In the use Of
carnal weapons, he bad no skill. But he
had confident spirit a strong heart, and
above all, an unwaveting confidence in the
protecting power of Him in whose service he
was devoting his life. .sl E. '2.
Even on the grounds Of Dick Jones the
birds sang sweetly, the cool breezes sported
amid the lcafy branches, and the breath of
thousand flowers mingled their fragrance
on the air; and, even as the colporteur trod
these grounds, he felt and enjoyed the tran
quill beauty and peace of nature There was
no shrinking in his heart he was not in
terror of the lions that crouched on his path.
Soon he stood at the open door of house,
around which was no air of comfort nor a
single vestige of taste. A'rf's ~ WV
~Who's there? What's wantedl" was
the repulsive salutation Of woman, who
hurriedly drew an old handkerchief across
her brown neck and halfexposed bosom, on
seeing a stranger. T.#.
@May Gods peace be on this house p said
the colporteur, in low, reverent voice, as
he stood, one foot on the ground, and the
other across the Threshold. 49,.
A change passed instantly over the wo-
mans face. It's hole expression softened.-
But she did not invite the stranger to enter.
"Go-go," she said, in hurried voice.
"Go away quickly! My husband will be
here directly, and he" ''
She paused, leaving the sentence unfin-
ished, as If freluctant to speak what was in
her mind. " ~. .N
"Why should I 60 away quicklyi" as
ked the stranger, as he stepped into the room,
taking off his hat respectfully, and seating
himself in chair. 81 wish to see and speak
with your husband. Mr.. Jones, believe, is
his name?" "" r..
ayes, sir, his name is Jones. But he
don't want to see you." .-
"Don't want to see me! How do you
know? Who am II" W." f"
the woman, timidiy; "but know who you
are. You go around selling good books and
talking religion to the people, |
"True enough, Mrs. Jones" said the col
porteur, seriously, yet with a pleasant smile
on his face as he spoke. "And have come
TO have little talk with your husband, and
see if can't get him to buy some Of my
good books. Have you Bible Z"
1No, sir. My husband says he hates the
Bible. When we were first married, had
an old Testament, but he never could bear to
see me reading it. Somehow, it got lost
| always thought he carried it away, or
threw it into the fire. He won't talk to you,
sir. He won't have your books. He's a
very bad tempered man, sometimes, and I'm
afraid he'll do you harm. o, sir, wish you
would 60 away"
But, instead Of showing any alarm or anx-
iety at Mrs. Jones's account of her husband,
the stranger commenced opening his valise,
from which he soon produced plainly
How long since you were marriedl" as
ked the colporteur, as he opened the Bible
and commenced turning over the leaves.
twelve years come next May, sir" was
answered. "t.""..,t ..'' '.,"' z3
@How long is it since you lost the Testa-
ment Z" F#~
"Most eleven years" .s.e..-r. ias
ado you go to churchm ..a
ITO church n The woman looked sur.
prised at the question. aDear sakes, no ]
haven't been inside Of church since was
married" t+
"Wouldn't you like to gog' 'a f#a9
"What 'ud be the usel I wouldn't saw
church TO Dick for the world" r-i
"Then you haven't read the Bible your
self, nor heard anybody else read it, since
You lost the Testament ~ gE tE Is q
mo, SIR" -
"You shall have that blessed privilege
once again in your life," said the stranger
raising the book towards his eyes, and max.
ing preparation to read.
"fndeed, sir, Pm afraid. Tn looking for
my husband avery minute" interpreted the
woman. @He's always said he'd kick the
first Bibleseller 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 go away. II / had any mon
ey I'd take the Bible and hide it from him
but haven't. Please don't stay any long.
er. Don't begin TO read. II he comes IN
and finds you reading, he'll be mad enough
To kin you"
But, for all this, the colporteur sat nm
moved. As the woman ceased speaking, he
commenced reading to her the beautiful
chapter from our Lords sermon on the
mount, beginning with---"Take heed that