Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1859-09-22
sit certainly is."t said Adelaide, afor
there he comes himself out of that omn-

there he comes himself out of that omni
bus" .-t-s-
And in fact the good Deacon was nov
seen making his way through d crowd o
poor people. who stood humbly waitin,
near the gate, and offering his arm to
withered old lady in rusty bombazine, wh,
had been among the first arrivals H,
presented her and the formost of the guest
to his lady, who stood in ,ustle OF as
tonishment and stiff brocade. on The versn
dah steps, and to his elegant daughters
who were half way between laughing ant
crying at the novelty Of the scene before
them. Mrs. Goodman fortunately had the
good sense or philosophy to perceive that 6
state of things which was man ifesily not tG
be cured. had better be endured with the
best grace possible; and her innocert guests
though somewhat awe-strrck at such un.
dresmed-of maeni6cence of apparel. where
sil unconscious ofthe struggle-snd triumph
too-os grace that was going on beneath
the studied hospitality with which she re.
eeived them. ,z1tlz. 80
There was the old lady in black, who
proved to be widow, and utterly alone in
the world; about the supply of whose wants
the Deacon probably knew more than any
man living. Aand there was an old man
with one woodea leg; and a blind man
who was strongly suspected to have been
seen at the way side begging, until some
benevolent indi4Idusl-uame unknown
had supplied him with basket of saleabe e
articles, by means of which he was now
able to support himself and family
There were women, too, nth wan faces
who seemed to have never enjoyed the Free
dom of Gods blessed air; and puny chill
dren in their arms, whose heavy eyes bright
ened at The sight of green grass and waving
trees. The older people were soon seated
in the house or on the piazzas, while the
children, under convoy of Miss Ellen,
who entered heartily into the spirit of the
occasion, scattered about in merry games
on the green lawn. Never was such play
before; aud to Ellen herself it seemed that
the little birds never sang so sweetly, nor
the fresh summer air breathed so softly, and
never was it SO delightful to have home in
the couutry as on this very day. d
The company once disposed of, sober
second thought occurred to the lady hostess,
more distressing, doubtless, than the first.
An appealing look brought her husband to
her corner. "What in the world am | to
dol" She said. ssI have not half provisions
enough for them to eat."
"This is all right" replied the Deacon,
pointing to market wagon which was just
unloading at the kitchen gate. "There is
abundance for them at all, and have given
directions TO the cook"
Anxiety was needless every arrange
ment had been completely made and the
entertainers devoted themselves again to
their guests. Happily passed the hours Of
the golden afternoon. The ladies of the
family recovered speedily from the shock
of disappointment, and could not help ad-
mitting that they bad never so Thoroughly
enjoyed company before. II was only be-
cause he real delight of social life, that o.
conferring happiness on others had never
been So fully within their reaca. 1t was !
lesson worth learning.
At six the company were assembled
around the long table, which, by the
Deacon'S direction, had been spread upon
the shady lawn, and never probably did
guests more heartily unite in thanksgiving
for the hounties of Providence. Before
they rose from the banquest, there was a
gorgeous sunset, all in full view, to be en-
joyed by many who, within their narrow
walls, was almost as effectually excluded
from Gods free -nicturA gallery, III me
heavens, as from mans aristocratic ones
on earth At the same time, the full moon
was rising in the east, and then there was
delightful evening, with the glancing
fre-f:es among the grass. and the cool
breezes that never dreamed of brick walls
and heated pavements-and by nine O'Clock
the whole company had departed in theil
train of conveyances for home.
The lady hostess was too tired or toe
thoughtful to demand explanations LOW
When children and servants had silently
ass embed in the sitting room at the hour o
prayer, the worthy father of the family reat
from The great Bible the story of feas
given of old at the house Of chief Phari
see; and his voice fingered with specia
emphasis on the following words:
"When thou makest dinner or a sup
per, call not thy friends nor thy brethren
neither thy kinsmen nor thy rich neigh
bors, lest they also bid thee again, and
recompense be made thee. But when tho'
makest feast, call the poor, the manned
the lame, the blind: and thou shalt be bles
sed, for they cannot recompense thee; fol
thou shalt be recompensed at the resurrec
ton of the just"
Il He was certainly strange man tina
: Deacon Goodman, and unfortunately yer
, different from the rest of the worldly. Y
: Independent. -.3{ .,,a-