Litchfield enquirer., 1856-10-09

advance, that he would honorably aud thank fully repay 1t, so soon as he was again con nected with any theatre. His name is John 1 Feetman
 There was no necessity of his painting his distress to me so large. His features expressed more trouble than his words He probably read something of the same kind in my face i; for as he turned his eyes upon me, he seemed strnck with alarm, and exclaimed, Will you leave ne then without help 7"
 l stated to him that my own situation was full Of embarrassment, that he had asked oi me nothing less than the fourth part of all the money had in the world, and that 1 was in great uncertainty as to the further continuance of my office.
 l He immediately became cold iu his manner, and us it were drew back into himself, while he remarked, " You comfort the unfortunate With the story of your own mistortuues. ask nothing of you. Is there no one i'll C-- who has pity, if he has no wealth ?' l cast an embarrassed look at Mir. Fleet man, and was ashamed to have represented my distressed situation to him as reason for my refusal to assist him l instantly thought over i all my townsmen, and could not trust myself to name one. l did not perhaps know their hearts ! well enough.
 l approached him, and laid my hand upon his shoulder, and said, Mr. Feetman, you grieve me- Have a little patience. You see 1 am poor l will help you if l can. l will give you an answer in all hour"
 weut houe. On the way ] thought to myself, How odd the stranger always comes first to me, and an actor to a clergy mau There must be something in my nature | th,t ,tt ba nod and hn nnnIy Ikp q naguet. Whoever is in need, comes to me, Who have the least to give. When l sit at ta- ble with strangers, one of the company is sure to have dog who looks steadily at what l am eating, and comes and lays his cold nose directly on my knee"
 When at home, told the children who the stranger was, aud what he wanted. Wished for Jenny's advice. She sa|d teuderly, :" know, father, what thou thhkeSt, and there tore ] have nothing to adyIse.'
 :" And what do l think 7"
 "Why, that thou wilt do uuto this poor actor as thou hopcst God and Dr. Snarl will do unto thee"
 l had thought DO such thing, but wished l had l got the twelve shulings, and gave them to Jeany to carry to the traveller. did not care to listen to hls thanks. It humbles me. Ingratitude stirs my spirit up. And. be- sides, had my sermon to prepare
 Ercning The actor is noble man. When Jeuny returned, she had much to tell me ot what she had seen and heard, not only about the stranger but tue landlady. The mistress of the inn had learned that her guests purse was empty, and Jenny could not deny when questioned that she brought him some money from me. Then sh. had to listen to lecture upon the folly of giving when one has So little, and the danger of helping vagabonds when cue has not enough to live on at home: with "a shirt is nearer than the coat" " to feed ones own .naketh fat" &c., &c. Twas still writing my sermon when Master Fleetpan cane ia He could not leave Creke- lad. he said, without thanking his benefactor, who bad relieved him in so pressing ,f!cuIty. Jcnuy was just layng the cloth for dinper- We had an omelct aud turnips. ] invited hIn to partake With us. He accepted willingly, having made, as he intnated, but sorry 1 breakfast at the inn Polly brought some beer. We had not for some tune fared so well. l Mir. Fleetmau seemed to eujoy our social meal. His former expression of anxiety and distress was gone, but still there was about i to the unfortunate He thought us very hap pv, and We assured him we were so. He took me to be better off ill the world than l had said but ill that he Was mistaken. Our real poverty was not apparent to him, while every thing looked so neat and comfortable about us. The orderly appearance of our little apagtmcnt, 1 the cleanliness of the floor and the windows, shaded by suow-white curtains, with the polish of OFT chairs aud table, took his attention troai the hoincIluee of the furniture. In truth the cottages of the poor generally present such a sceue of dirt aud discomfort, as excites disgust
 as we'll as pity. They seem to think it costs too much to be ciean But this Is ? mistake
 Order aud ueatness are the best helps to econ omy so l always taught my saiuted wife, Jenny has learned this lesson admirably, and Is teaching 1t daily to her sister,. She has an eye for the smallest :fynark.
 Before long our guest was quite ct home aff familiar with us But spoke less Of his owl
 than of our prospects The poor man ha
 evidently something heavy upon his heart
 will not believe ppop h,s conscenee. noticed tha l be often paused in the midst of conversation
 and seemed abstracted ,; then he would ,exeH
 himself to be cheerful May he be censoiet
 if he have need of comfort
 As he was quitting us after diuner gav
 him much friendly counsel for his jourley.- .- Actors, know, are rather a frivolous set. Il promised me sacredly as soon as he sheald hay
 money, to send back my loan. He must b , serious in that, for he looked very honest 50 several times asked how .lehg | ttnnght