American union. [volume] (Morgantown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1855-1859, 1859-03-04
Mr.. CAPERs AND TIE NEwsDoY.

| "A'>' oAaA"' hND lhL NEV oDU1s
Bishop Capers stopped one night at
! acountry tavern, after cold days ride.
After supper he found small bow
sitting by the fire, thinly clad and look
ing very sorry. The tavern keeper
presently said:
"Jonn, ifl were you would not go
tonight" i6 I.3
at these words the little fellow 8
tears began to flow, and he replied -
"Why did you say so? You know 1
must CO." hai n
Mr.. Capers asked what Johns bust
ness was. He learned that the boy
wasa mail carrier, and had to take the
mail bag twenty-onc miles that night.
He had no other clothing than he then
wore, all of cotton goods, and thin
enough. The night was very cold, and
the rain and sloct were then falling
MIR. Capers told tile boy he would freeze
if he went, and that if he would not 90
his employer should be informed that
he had remained by the advice and per-
mission of his friends. 70 this the
little fellow, in tears, said:
must go; if I don't shall lose
my place, and then my mother and
sister will starve."
Shortly afterwards the mail carrier
whobrought the mail John was to take
forward, arrived. He came to the fire,
throwing off a large bear-skin over
coat, loaded with sleet; and, with
profanc expression, declared that he
was frozen through. MIR. Capors said
to him, ..i lg.n..a .'
Friend, if, with. your ovcrcoat on,
you are nearly frozen, what will be the
fate of this poor boy, thinly clad as he
is. who has to ride twenty-one miles,
and carry the mail you have brought.
Lilo will not live to get over the four
mile swamp, just ahead. -.~."
Mr.. Capers then went to the land
lady to purchase a quilt or blanket, to
cover John. She said she could spare
nothing of the kind. .ae.. aa -
Madam" said he, "lct me have
this half worn blanket for the child !;
| will give You four dollars for it. $50
"No, sir" she said, "you will all
find out before morning that l have no
blanket to sell"
Returning to the fire, he said to the
owner OF the overroat, Sir. will you
sell me your overcoat for this boy p
yes" said he, "if l can get eight
dollars for it," ,...L a.f. a. f'a.... ."
The money was Immediately paid,
and MIR. Capers handed the overcoat
to the boy, whose eyes at once
frightened. He put it on, and set out
on his dreary ride. ra rr~.a... r.3w
The purchase took all the money Mr.
.Capers had, except twenty. five cents.
The next morning he left without ask.
ing for his bill, determining to send
back, las. soon rs he arrived ut home, the
amount usually charged for nights
lodging. Tile next night he lodged
with Presbyterian family, with whom
he had slight acquaintance. When
the time came for family worship. the
gentleman of the house. believing from
Mr. Capers' conversation, that he was
u Christian, invited him to lead the
family dcvotions. After prayers, he
inquired it the stranger were a minister.
Mr.. Capers told him who he was, and
that he was returning home after a
years labor on the circuit he had Just
travelled. Before break fast the next
morning, he said to Mr.. Capers: .
Friend, we don't belong to the
same denomination of Christians. -
You are Methodist and / am Pres
bytcrian. 1t is, | dare say, with min.
iSters of your denomination as with
ours. You at times stand in the need
of little money. VIII you please
accept Of this :" handing him twenty
dollars.
On reaching home, Mr.. Capers en-.
closeda proper amount int letter TO
the tavernkeeper where heTmet John,
the post boy, explaining the circum.
stances. The money, however, was
soon returned, on the ground that they
never charged preachers; and he was
requested to call again whenever he
passed that way. Thus quickly and
signally did he realize the truth of the
Divine word, " Give, and it shall be
given unto you, good measure"
This story is told by DR.. Wightman,
in his life of Bishop Capers. 1t teaches
us not to be selisb--to feel for the
wants of others as the preacher did for
the post boy. Whatif Mr.. Capors had
said" | don't care, it is not who
have to go out i'll the cold, nor is it my
son." Perhaps. then, u boy would
nave been frozen to death, and his
uother would have been brought at
nee to sorrow and to want. How
much misery may have been prevent.
ed, bow much happiness secured, by