Democrat and sentinel. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1853-1866, 1860-08-15
EBENSBURG. Pa. WEDNESDAY, AUGUST Is, 1850.

who stood all in a rustic of astonishment and
stiff brocade on the verandah steps. aud to
his elegant daughters; who were half way be-
tween laughing and crying at the novelty of
the scene before them. Mrs Goodwin fortu-
nately had the good sense of philosophy to
perceive that state of things which was
manifestly not to be cured, had better be en-
dured with the best grace possible; and her
innocent guests, tho somewhat awe-struek at
such undreamed of magnifceuce of apparel.
were all unconscious of the struggle-and tri-
umph, too-of grace that was going on be-
meath the studied hospitality with which she
received them.
There was the old lady in black. who pro-
we'd to be widow, and utterly alone in the
world; about the supply of whose wants the
Deacon knew more than any other man living
And there was an old man with one wooden
leg; and blind man, who was strongly sus-
pected TO have been seen at the way-siIe beg
ging, until some benevolent individual-name
unknown-had supplied him with basket of
saleable articles, by means of which he was
now able to support himself aud family.
There were women, too. with wan faces who
seemed to have never enjoyed the freedom of
Gods blessed air, and puny children in the
arms, whose heavy eyes frightened at the
older persons 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; and to Ellen herself
it seemed that the little birds never sung so
sweetly, nor the fresh summer air breathed
so softly,- and never was 1t so delightful to
have home In the country as on this very
day.
The company once disposed of. a sober Sc
cond thought occurred TO the lady hostess,
more distressing doubtless than the first. An
appealing look brought her husband to the
corner. What In the world am | to do, ;"
she said. ''I have not half provision enough
for them to eat"
THAT is all right" replied the Deacon,
pointing to a market wagon which was just
unloading at the kitchen gate. There is
abundance for them all, and have given di-
rectIons to the cook"
Anxiety was needless; every arrangement
had been completely made; and the entertain
ers devoted themselves again to their guests.
Happily passed the hours of the golden after
noon. The ladies of the family recovered
speedily from the shock of disappointment,
and could not help admitting that they had
never SO thoroughly enjoyed company be-
fore. 1t was only because the real delight of
social life. that of couferring happiness On
others, had never been SO fully within their
reach. 1t was lesson worth the learning.
At six the company were assembled around
the long tables, which by the Deaeon's direc
tious, had been spread upon the shady lawn;
and never, probably, did guests more heartily
unite in thanksgiving for the bounties of Prov
idence. Before they rose from the banquet,
there was gorgeous sunset, and all In full
view, to be enjoyed by many who, within
their narrow walls were almost as eHectually
excluded from Gods free picture gallery in
the heavens. as from mans aristocratic ones
on earth. At the same time, the full moon
was rising ia the east. and then there was
delightful evening, WITH the glancing fire flies
among the grass, and the cool breezes that
never dreamed of brick wall and heated pave
ment-and by nine o'clock the whole party
departed In their train of conyeyauces for
home.
The lady hostess was too tired, too thought
less to demand explanation now. When the
children and servants had silently assembled
in the sitting-room at the hour of prayer, the
worthy fathV of the family read from the
great Bible the story of feast given of Old
at the house of chief Pharisee; and his voice
fingered with specia! emphasis on the follow
ing words:
'.When thou makest dinner or supper,
call not thy friends nor thy brethren, neither
thy kinsmen nor thy rich neighbors; least
they also bid thee again, and a recompense be
made thee. But when thou makest feast,
call the poo-, the MANNED, the lame, the blind,
and thou shalt be blessed; for they cannot re-
compensed at the resurrection of the just"