Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1855-05-14
STAR.
TIE USKs0WE GUEST.


title Of esquire" and, from his manners.
pronounced him proud but those more
accustomed to society would inform you
that there was something like military
air about him.
His horse painted as if it had been hard
pushed for some miles; yet from the
owners frequent stops to caress the pa.
tient animal, he could not be charged
with the want Of humanity, but seemed
to be actusted by some urgent necessity.
The rider, forsaking good road for by
path leading through the woods, indi-
Gated desire to avoid the gaze of other
travellers.
de had not left the house where he in
qulred the direction of the above men
toned path more than two hours, before
the quietude of the place was broken by
the noise of distant thunder. He was
soon after obliged to dismount, travelling
becoming dangerous, as darkness con-
cealed surrounding objects, EXCEPT when
the lightning fash afforded him a mo
mentary view of his situation.
A peal, louder and of longer duration
than any of the preceding, which now
burst over his head, seemed as if it would
rend the woods asunder, and was quickly
followed by heavy fall of rain that pen
etrated the clothes Of the stronger ere he
could obtain the shelter of large oak
which stood at little distance.
Almost exhausted with the labors of
the day, he was about making such dis
position of the saddle and his oyercoat
as would enable him to pass the night
with what comfort circumstances would
admit. when he spied light glimmering
through the trees. Animated with the
hope of better lodgings, he determined
to proceed.
The way, which was steep, became
| attended with more obstacles the farther
he advanced, the soil being composed of
clay, which the rain had rendered SO soft
that his feet slipped at every step. By
the utmost perseverance this difficulty
was finally overcome without any acci-
dent, and he had the pleasure of finding
himself in front OF decent looking farm
house. The watch dog began barking,
which brought the owner to the door,
Who's therel"
{. A friend, who has lost his way, and
is in search of place of shelter" was
the answer.
"Come in, sir, )" replied the first spea-
ker, and whatever my house will afford
you shall have with welcome"
" L must provide for the weary com.
panion of my journey first" remarked
the other.
But the farmer undertook the task. and
after conducting the conner in a room
where his wife was seated, he led the
horse to well stored barn, and there
provided for aim most bountifully.
On rejolning the traveller, he observed
That is a noble animal ofyours, sir
eyes" was the reply, "and l am sor-
ry that | was obliged to misuse him 50
as to make it necessary to give you so
much trouble with the care Of him: but
| have to thank you Tor your kindness to
both of u.s."
81 did no more than my duty, sir, .
said the entertainer, land, therefore, am
entitled to no thanks. But Susan" added
he turning TO the hostess, with q half re-
proachful look, why have you not given
the gentleman something to eat?"
Fear had prevented the good woman
from exercising a well known beneyo.
lence; for robbery had been committed
by lawless band of depredators but q
few weeks before in that neighborhood
and as report stated that the rufians
were all well dressed, her imagination
suggested that this man might be one Of
them.
At her husbands remonstrance, she
now readily engaged in repairing her er.
ror, by preparing a splendid repast. Du.
| ring the meal, there was much interest.
ing conversation among the three.
AS soon as the worthy countryman per.
celved that his guest had satisfied his ap-
petite, he informed him that it was now
the hour at which the family usually per-
formed their devotions, inviting him at
the same time to be present.
The invitation was accepted in these
words:
''It would afford me the greatest pleas.
ure to commune with my Heavenly Pre-
server, after the event of the day; such
exercises prepare Us Ior the rep0Se which
we seek in Sleep"
The host now reached the Bible from
the shelf, and after reading a chapter,
and singing, concluded the whole with a
fervent prayer; then, lighting pine knot
conducted the person he had entertained
to his chamber, wishing him a good
nights rest, and retired to an adjoining
apartment.
"John," whispered the woman, "that
is good gentleman, and not one of the
highwaymen as 1 supposed"
"Yes, Susan, said he, 81 like him bet.
ter for thinking of his God, than all his
kind inquiries after our welfare. wish
our Peter had been home from the army
if it was only to hear this good man talk;
l am sure Washington himself could not
say more for his country, nor give bet.
ter history of the hardships endured by
our brave soldiers"
"Who knows, now," inquired the wife
"but it may be himself, after all, my
dear? For they say he does travel just
so, all alone, sometimes"
HHark what's that az