Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1855-01-03
Select 9toruI,
The Eleventh Commandment.

loving couple in New Jersey, who belonged
to the Methodist Church A new presiding
Elder Mr.. n, was expected in that district ;
and as the ministers all stopped with Bro.
W. and his wife, every, preparation was
made to give him cordial reception. The
honored couple thought that religion, in
part. consisted Of making some parade, and
therefore the parlor was put in order; and a
nice fire was made and the kitchen replen-
shed with cakes, chickens, and every deli
cacy, preparatory to cooking.
While MIR. w. was out at his wood pile,
plain looking, coarsely dressed, but quiet
like pedestrian came along and inquired the
distance to the next town. He was told
that it was three miles. Being very cold
he asked permission to eutcr and warm him.
self Assent was given very grud dgingly, and
both went into the Kitchen The wife look
ed daggers at this untimely intrusion, for tue
stranger lad on cow,Aide boots, an old hat,
and threadbare, bLfneatly patched coat.
At length she gave him chair beside the
Dutch oven which was baking nice cakes
for the Presiding Elder, who was momenta-
riIy expected, rs he was to preach the next
day at the church mile or two beyond
The stranger, after warning himself, pre-
pared to leave, but the weather became more
inclement, and as his appetite was reused by
the vians about the fire, he asked for some
little refreshments before he sat out on
cold walk to the town beyond. Mrs. w.
was displeased, but ON consultation with her
husband, some cold bacon and bread were
set on an old table, and he was then some.
what grufhy told to eat it. 1t was growing
dark, and hints were thrown out that the
stranger had better depart, rs it was three
long miles to town. The wife grew petu-
lent, as the new preacher, did not arrive,
and her husband sat whistling the air of
"Auld Lang Syne," while he thought of the
words of the hymn" When can read my
title clear" and felt as if he could order the
stranger off without any further ado.
The homely meal was at last concluded
the man thanked him kindly for the hospi-
tally he had received, and opened the door
to 90. But it was quite dark, and clouds
denoling storm filled the heavens.
"You say it is full three miles to d."
'"I dc" said W., coldly; {" | said so when
you first stopped, and you ought to have
pushed on, like prudent man. You would
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
farmers feelings Il little.
Il f,l fp
which am thankful. Will you now be-
stow another act of kindness upon one in a
strange place, aud, if he goes out in the
darkness, may loose himself and perish in
the cold 2"
The peculiar 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.
"Go in there and sit down." he answer.
ed, pointing to the kitchen, and will see
what she says"
And Mr.. w. went into the parlor where
the supper table stood, covered with the
suow-white cloth, and displayed his wife's
set of blue sprgged china, that was only
brought out on special occasion.
The tall mould candles were burning
thereon, and on the earth blazed 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 do you 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 sleep!'
Not in the best room, even if Mr. n.
should not Gomez
No, indeed~
"But, really, don't see, Jane, hou' we
can turn him out Of doors. He doesn't look
like very strong man, and it's dark 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 ill it got dark"
awe can't turn him out of doors, Jane,
and it's no use to think of it. He'll have to
stay somehow" 49,
"But what can we do with him?"
"He seems like decent man, at least
and does not look as if he had anything bad
about him. We might make him bed on
tho Aonir somewhere in the house."