The Hillsdale standard. [volume] (Hillsdale, Mich.) 1851-1909, 1858-08-24

was expected in that district; and as tn,
ministers all stepped with brother w. snc
his wife, every preparation was made 10
give him cordial reception. The honest
couple thought that religion, in part, con
sisted in making some parade, and there
fore the parlor was put in order, nice fire
was made, and the kitchen replenished
with cakes, chickens, and every delicacy
preparatory to cooking.
While Mr.. w. was out at his wood pile
plain looking, coarsely dressed, but quiet
like pedestrian came along and enquired
the distance to tho next town. He was
told that it was three miles, Being very
cold, he asked permission to enter and
warm himself. Assent was given very
grudgingly, and both went into the kitch-
en-. The wife looked daggers at this un.
timely intrusion, for the stranger had on
cow hide boots, an old bat, and thread.
bare, but neatly patched coat. At length
she gave him chair beside tho Dutch oven
which was baking nice cakes for the Pre-
siding Elder, who was momentarily expect.
cd, and he was to preach the next day at
the church a milo or two beyond.
The stranger, after warming himself, pre-
pared to leave, but the weather became
more inclement, and as his appetite was
reused by the viands about the fire, he ask
ed for some little rcfreshmert ere he set
out on cold walk to the town beyond
Mrs. w. was displeased, but on consulta-
ton with her husband, some cold bacon
AID bread were set on the table, and he
was then somewhat gruf1y told to eat. 1t
was G owing dark, and hints were thrown
out that tie stranger had better depart, rs
II was three long miles to town. The wife
grew petuleni, ms the new preacher did no,
arrive, and her husband sat whistling the
air of "Auld Lang Sync," while he tho't
of the words of the hymu-"Wher | can
read my title cear,' and felt as if he cod
order tho stranger off without any further
edo.
The homely meal was at last concluded
the man thanked them kindly for the
hospitality he had received, and opened
the door to go. But ii Was quite dark,
an clouds denotlng n storm filled the heay-
ems.
you say it is full three miles to D-.'
81 do," said Mr.. w. coldly; Il said so
when you first stopped, and you ought to
have rushed on, like prudent man. You
could have reached there before il was quite
dark"
"But I was cold and hungry, and might
have tainted 10y the way"
The manner Of saying this touched the
farmers feelings little.
"You have warmed me and fed me, for
which | am thankful. Will you not be-
stow another act Of kindness upon one in
strange place, and, if he goes out in the
darkness, may lose himself aud perish in
the cold?
The peculiar form in which this reaues.
was made, and tho tone in which it was
uttered, Mt it out of the power Of the far
mer TO say no.
$50 in there and sit down." he ans
wered, 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 a snow
whito cloth, and displaying his wife's blue
sprigged china, that was only brought out
on special occasions.
The tall mould cardles were burning
thereon, and on the hearth blazed cheer
full fire.
"Hasn't that old fellow gone yotg' ask
ed Mrs. w. She heard his voice as he re-
turned from the door.
"No, and what do you suppose9 He
wants us to let him stay all nightw
"Indeed we'll do no such thing! We
can't have the likes of him in the house
now Where could he sleeps"
Not in the best room even if Mr.. N.
should not come"
"No, indeed p
"But really, l don't see, Jane, how we
can turn him out of doors. He doesn't
look like very strong man, and it's dark
and cold, and full three miles to D."
"It's too much. He ought to have gone
OIL while he had daylight, and not liagcied
here as he did till it got dark"
ave can't turn him out of doors, Jane,
and its nonsense to think of it. He'll have
to stay, somehow"
"But what can we do with him 2"
"He seems like decent man at least;
and doesn't look as if be had anything bad
about him. We might make him bed
on the floor somewhere"
81 wish he had been at Guinea before
he came hcre!" said Mrs. W., fretfully.-
Tho disappointment and conviction that
Mr.. n. would not arrive, occasioLcd her TO
feel, and the intrusion Of so unwelcome a
visitor as the stranger, completely unhiug-
ed her mind.
"Oh, WE'LL" replied her husband, in a
soothing voice, "never mind. We must
make the best Of it. He came to us tired
and hungry, and we warmed and fed him
He now asks shelter for the night, and we
must not refuse him, nor grant his reque,t
in a complaining or reluctant spirit You
know what the Bible says about entertain
ing angels unawares."
"Angels! did you ever see an angel look
like himi"
"Having never seen an angel" said the
farmer, smiling, ~ am unable TO speak as
to their appearance" .., 4.
THIS had the effect TO call an answering
smile to the face Of Mrs. W., and better
feeling to her heart. II was finally agreed
between them that the man, as he seemed
like decent kind of person, should be
permitted TO occupy the minister's room, il
L.. i'll.