The Union and eastern journal. [volume] (Biddeford [Me.]) 1854-1858, 1854-11-17
MISCELLANEOUS.
The Eleventh Commandment

,bs Me,boJis, church. A new presiding
elder, Mr.. N, was expected in THAI district
and as the ministers all stopped WIN oro'he
w. and his wife, every preparation wa'
made 10 give him cordial reception. Ih'
honest couple thought llai religion in par
consisted in making some parade. and there
fore the parlor was put in order, a nice fir,
was made, and The kitchen repIen'shed VIII
cake, chickens, and every delicaoy' prepar
aloty 10 cooking. :, -,
While Mr.. w. was out 10 hrs wool p!'e
n plain.looking, coarsely dressed, poi qnle'
like pedestrian came along and inquired
the way 10 The next Town. He was told J
was three miles. Bein. very cold, ne asked
permission 10 enter and warm himself. As
sent was given very grudglpg'y. ana po't
went into the kiiab.s.-~I me VIE looked
riaggeis at this uniimely intrusion, for The
stranger had on COW hide boo,s, an old hat
and ,hreadbare, bu, neatly patched Goa,
AT length she gave him chair beside the
Dutch oven, which was baking cakes fol
the presiding elder, who was momeniaIlly
expected, as he was TO preach The next day
a, The church mile or Two beyond.
The stranger, after warming himself, pre-
pared 10 leave, but The weather became ~
clement, and as his appetite was reused oy
the viands about The fire, he asked lor some
little refreshments ere he Sc, out for cold
walk TO The town beyond. Mrs. w. was
dspleased, bui on consultation with her nus
baud, some cold bacon aud bread was sci
out on an old table, aud he was then
somewha, gruay told TO eat. twas growing
dark, and hints were thrown out that The
stranger had better depart, as il was three
long miles 10 town. The wife grew pe,u,
liant as the new preacher did no, arrive, and
her husband sal whis,ling the air OF Aud
Lang Syne," while he though, Of The words
OF the hymn =" When can read my title
clear,n aud felt rs If he could order The
stranger or without any further ado.
The homely meal was at last concluded
= the man thanked him kindly for the hos
pialiiy he had received, and opened The
door TO CO. But il was quite dark. and the
clouds denoling storm filled The heavens
"You say il is full three miles to D.!
81 do" said Mr.. w. coldly; said sc
when you frs, stopped, and you ought Il
have pushed on, like a prudent man. You
could have reached there before j, was quite
dark
"But was cold and hungry, aud NIGH
have tainted b, The way"
The manner OF saying this touched The
farmers feelings lille.
"You have warmed aud fed me, fol
which am thankful. Will you not besiow
another aci Of kindness upon one in strange
place, and, If he goes out in The darkness
may luse himself and perish in the cold
The particular form in which tins reques,
was made, and the tone in which il was ri,
tered, put il out Of The farmer 10 say no.
Go in there and sit down. y lie answered
pointing TO the kitchen, "and ! will see my
wife and hear what she says"
And Mr.. w. went into The parlOr where
the supper table stood, covered with asnoW
white cloth, and displaying his wifes set o
blue.srrigged china, that was on,y broush
out on special occasions.
The tall mould candles were burnin!
thereon, and on The hearth blazed a cheerfu
fire.
"Has mt that oil fellow gone yet!
asked Mrs. w. She heard his voice as h,
returned from The door.
"No, and what do you suppose! HI
wants US to let him stay all night
"Indeel, we III do no such Thing. W.
can u have the likes of him in the hous,
now. Where could he sleep!"
Not in the best room, even il Mr.. N
should no, come"
"No, indeed J"
But really do nj see, J,ne, how W,
can turn him out Of doors. He does nj lool
like a strong man, and il Is dark and cold
and full three miles 10 D."
"h 3 loo much; he ought 10 have gon'
on while he had daylight, and no, lingeret
here, as he did, I'LL il 20, dark"
ave can nj turn him oui Of doors, Jane
and il Is no use 10 think of il. He III hav,
10 stay, somehow"
Bit what can wo do with him ~
He seems like decent man, at least
and does MT look rs IL he had anything ba,
about him. We might make him bed Of
the floor somewhere"
81 wish he had been al Guinea before h,
came here !" said Mrs. W., frelfnlly. Til,
disappointment, The conviction thai Mr.. N
would not arrive, occasioned her 10 feel
aud The intrusion Of 40 unwelcome visito
ne The stranger, completely unhinsed he
mind.
"Oh, WE'LL" replied her husband, in ,
soothing voice, "neSer mind. We mus
make the beat Of il. He came 10 US tiret
and hungry, and we warmed and fed him
He now asks shelter Tor the night, and ",
must not refuse him, nor grant his reques
in complaining or reluctant style. Yor
know wha, The Bible says abou, entertain
ing angels unawares." -,
"Angcls! did you ever see an angel lool
like him."
"Havlng never seen an angel,r said III,
farmer, smiling, ~ am unable to speak a
10 their appearance.
This had the effect 10 call an answerin.
smile from Mrs. W., aud better feeling a
her heart. II was finally agreed between
Them ,hai the man, a. he seemed like a de
cen, kind Of person. shonld be permitted I,
occupy the ministers room, IL iha, indiyid
nal did no, arrive, an even, 10 which the,
both looked with bul little expectancy.
he did come, why, The man would have Il
nut ND with poor accommodations.
When Mr.. w. returned 10 The kitchen
where the stranger had seated himslf befor,
The fire, ne Informed him that they had do
cidcd 10 le, him stay all night. The mar
expressed in few words his grateful sens.
of their Kindness, and then became silen
and thoughtful. Soon alter The faamer'l
vile, givng up all hope Of Mr. Ms ar.iv
al, had supper iaken up. which consisted o
coffee, warm sho'i cake, and broiled chick
ems. Aher NIL was on The table, shor
conference was held as 10 whether ii woul,
do no, 10 invite the stranger 10 take supper
II was true :hey had given him as mucl
bread and bacon rs he could ear, but then
as long as he was going 10 stay all night, |
looked loo iuhospi!able 10 sit down 10 III,
table and no, ask him 10 join them. So
making virtue Of necessity, he was kindly
asked 10 come TO supper -an invitation