Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1858-01-13
sTAUNTON, VIRGINIA, WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 13 1858

altar, rose and announced for his text the oft
quoted, but seldom applied words of the Apos-
tle-
''Be not forgetful to entertain strangers, for
thereby some have entertained angels una
wares"
DR.. haywood felt his forehead flushed pain
fully it appeared to him for the moment that
the preacher must have known his want of char
ity toward strangers, and wished to give him a
public lesson; but he soon saw from the tenor of
bis remarks, that his own guilty conscience had
alone made the application in this particular case.
I have not space nor the power to give any syn
opsis of the sermon; but that it, combined with
the incident of the morning, effected happy
revolution in the mind of at least one of its hear
ers,-so much SO, that on the return of Dr. May
wood from church, he repaired at once to the
room of the mendicant, to offer such attentions
as he might stand in need of. But the young
man seemed to be much refreshed 'by rest and
nutritious food, ,and commenced gratefully thank
| ing the host for the kind attentions he had re-
ceived, which, without doubt, had saved his
life.
81 am not the beggar that seem" said he
81 was shipwrecked on Friday night, in the O.
cean Wave, on my return from India. My name
was, doubtless, among the list of the lost-for
escaped from the waves by miracle. at
tempted to make my way to New York, where
have ample funds in bank now awaiting my
orders but must have pershed from cold and
hunger had it not been for your and your wife's
provident charity. was repulsed from every
door as an impostor, and could get neither food
nor rest. To be on exile from ones native land
ten years, and then, after escaping from the per-
ils of the ocean, to die of hunger in the streets
of Christian city, felt was truly bitter fate.
NY name is Arthur Willet," added the stranger.
"Why, that is my wife's name; she will be
pleased at her agency in your recovery"
"Of what State is she native z" asked Arthur
Willet, eagerly.
"I married her in the town of B, where
she was born."
At this moment Mrs. haywood entered the
room, surprised at the long absence OF her hus-
band.
Arthur Willet gazed at her with look Of
wild surprise, mnrmuring-
SIT cannot bet cannot bel am delirious
to think So"
Mrs. haywood gazed with little less astonish-
ment.
"What painful mystery is this?" cried DIR.
haywood excitedly, addressing his wife, who
then became conscious of the singularity of her
conduct.
"Oh, no mystery" she replied, sighing deeply,
"only this stranger is the very image of my long
lost brother Arthur" And Mrs. haywood, O.
yeroome with emotion, turned to leave the room.
"Stay one moment" pleaded the stranger,
drawing a small mourning ring from his finger,
and holding it up, asked if she recognized that
relcl
"She shrieked aloud, "Merciful heaven! 1t is
my fathers gray hair and you are
''His son, Arthur Wiet, and your long lost
brother !"
Mary Wiet haywood fell upon the mendi-
cant's breast, shedding tears of sweetest JOY and
thanksgiving.
Dr. haywood joined in cordial congratulation
and sympathy, and retiring from the room, left
sister and brother alone in that sacred hour OF
reunion, saying to himself
'Be not forgetful to entertain strangers, for
thereby some have entertained angels unawares."
N Y SDir Te2e0TaDh