The Ashland union. [volume] (Ashland, Ashland County, Ohio) 1854-1868, 1866-12-26

10 0 mid, fdignlhed tone. "Besides we
don't like to encourage beggars. If you
are poor and not able to work, the parish
where you belong is bound to support
you, No one need starge in this country,
which the Lord, praised be His name, has
so bouutifully blessed. / trust lam moi
wanting in Charity-as humble follower
of the Lord Jesus Christ, | hope I am
not-but with taxes, for the support
Of the government aud the poor, dpna
tions to benevolent societies and heather
missions. it is as much as l can do tc
live and give my family respectable
maintenance. Now, my. friend, if you
are poor and net able to work, Though
don't see why you may not work, as well
as travOl,) you had better throw yourself
on tho parish where you belong"
"But l am tired, wet and hungry
said the old man, "and all the parishes
in the world can't do me any good to-
night
"But you should have thought Of thai
before you left home," now chimed in
the good housewife, with sanctif ID air
1T is sinful to tempt Providence, as it is
called and whoSoever sins, must expect
punishment. never go away without
providing for the journey, and of course
don't expect anybody to feed and shell
ter me for nothing, 1t is sin, too, to
be idle when one is able to work, and il
is sgainSt my principles, as true chris.
tan, to encourage any one in sinning'
Then, l suppose, I'm to understand
that you refuse me both food and lodg.
ing~ said the old man.
"As to ftod," said the pious dame,
glanciug at her husband, "if you're very
hungry, suppose we can do something
for you in that way but lodging is out
of the qucstion--for two mounted cour-
iers have been here to say that very
rich uncle of ours from India, will be
here soon and he wrote, some time ago
that he didn't like to have bcggars about
where he was, and we wouldn't like to do
anything to- offend him. True, we hard.
ly expect he will come tonight /; but
then, he might, you know, and we wouldn't
like to run any risks"
"Well, them" said the old man, with
a sigh, "I will take the food, il you
please, and go on. even if / perish"
"Put your trust in the Lord, my
friend, put your trust in the Lord said
Stephen Barrct, solamnIy.
"Yes," echoed his wife, "put your
trust in the Lord that is what we dc
when In trouble. Sarah Jane, go down
in the cellar and bring up a couple ol
those cold potatoes for this old man
they arc very good eating when one is
hungry-I like item myself. Yes, put
your trust in the Lord ! and don't leave
home again without means. BY the-by
now think of it," added the good wo
man, laying down cap irill, on which
she had been busily at work while talk
ing, and looking up with bright twinkle
of her eyes, 81 do believe you can get Z
good nights loisicg at Henry Barret's
who lives only half mile from here, OIL
the road south. He's a great hand fol
taking in strangers.
She looked at her husband, and both
smiled knowingly, for both we're thinking
that in case that the rich uncle should
find The beggar there, it might not in-
crease Stephen Barrets chances Of being
the fortunate heir.
Sarah Jane now returned and handed
the old man two little cold potatoes =
lilo took them, turned them slowly over
examined them on all sides, and nut
tered:
"They have eyes-but can they see
think not--ior if they could they't
blush red, instead Of keeping such a dari
color" Then glancing slowly around
the neat, tidy, cheerful room, taking il
three prime girls and their pious parents
he quickly tossed the potatoe into the lal
of the astouished mistress, saying, as hi
did so, 81 beg your pardon, madam, bu
did not intend to rob you"
"0h, you sinful, wicked old creature I
exclaimed the good dane, in holy horror
as the disgustcd old man turned and wen
out and shut The door with slam.
In less than half an hour the unfortu
nate wayfarer was trying his chances 4
the house of Henry Barrct.
"Come in" said a strong, hearty
cheerful voice, in answer to his timi'
knock.
He entered large, plainly furnishe'
apartment, and bcheld a group of si'
persons--father, mother, two sons, an,
H. I.u-L...o oa,xl a.o,,d N nlaaeon