The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1867-01-05


said, sharply:
al told you We hadn't nothing for you,
and SO travel on ~
"Tll set the dog on you if you don't,
you old beggar - cried lad Of ten. Ny
rich uuclcs coming here tonight, and he
can't bear bcggars; so you'd better be oil
while your bones are whole"
"May Heaven be more mercitul than
vou," sighed the old man, as he turned ana
disappeared in the darkness.
Some half an hour later lie knocked at
the door of Stephen Barrett, another oil the
nephews. and asked for food and lodging.
II isn't convenient for Us TO keep you
to-nipht." said the master of the house, III
. mid digniied tone. Besides, we don't
like to encourage beggars. If you are
moor and not able to work, the parish where
Won belong is bound to support you. 10
one need starve in this country, which the
7 ord praised be His name, has so bouhii-
fpIlv blessed. | trust | am not wanting III
Icharitv-as a humble follower OF the Lord
Jesus Christ, hope | am not-Out "n.''
with taxes for the support OF the govern
meut and the poor, donations 10 bcHcNo-
lent societies aud heather missions, II u %
much as | can do to live anu give my
f,milv n respcctablc maintenance. Now
,nv friend. If Won are poor and not ahie 10
work uhough | don't sec why you may
mot work as well as travcD you had better
throw Yourself on the parish "hefe you
belong" ,,,,.,;1
"Bnt ! am tired, wet, and hungry sara
the old man, "aud all the pirlahcH III INC
world can't do me any good tonight.
/ uRnt Won should have thought OF that
b,.fore YOU left home" now c'imed IN inc
/ GOOD housewife, with 4 sancti!ltd air. II
/ $. sinful TO tempt Providence, as IL IS
called and whoever sins must cNpect
punishment. | never go away without
providing for the Journey, and OF course l
don't expect anybody 10 feed ana Shcitcr
me for nothing. 1t is Il sin, too, to nc ,oic
when one is able 10 work, and il IS against
nv principles, as n tru" Christian, to en-
courage any one in SHINING" :,
"Thcn, ! suppose, I'm to understand
that Won refuse me both food and lodg
ing ?" said the old man.
"As to food" said the pious dame,
CHANGING at her husband, d" il you're very
hungry, | suppose We can do something Tor
Won in that way; but lodging is ont Of the
uuestion-fcr two mounted couricrs have
been here to say that a very rich uncle Ct
ours from India will lie here soon and lie
wrote some time ago that lie didn't like to
have heEgIrs about where he was, and We
wouldn't ike 10 do anything to offend him.
True, we hardly expect he will come to-
night: hut then he might, you know, and
we wouldn't like TO run any risk
"Wen, them" said the old man with Il
sigh, :" will take the food, il You please,
and 90 on, even ii perish"
"Put your trust in the Lord, my friend,
put your trust in the Lord - said stephen
Barrel, So'cmnly.
eyes" echoed his wife, "put yourtrust
! in the Lord that is what We do when in
| trouble. Sarah Jane, 60 down in the Gel
lar and bring up a couple Of those cold pc
| tatoes for this old mau--thcy a.c ycry good
eating when one is hungry like them
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 woman, laying down 4 cap frill on
which she had been busly at work while
talking, and looking UP with bright
| twinkle OF her eyes" DO believe YOU can
get Il good nights lodging at Henry Bar
rct's, who lives only halt a mile from here
on the road south. He's great hand for
taking in strangers"
She looked at her husband, and both
smiled knowingly, for both were thinking
| that in case the rich uncle should lind the
beggar there, it might not increase Stephen
Barret'S chances OF being the fortunate
heir.
| Sarah Jane now returned, and handed the
| old man two little cold potatoes. lie took
| them, turned them slowly over, examined
| them on all sides, and murmured:
"TLcv have cyeS-but can they see |
| think not-for il they could they'd blush
red, instead Of keeping such dark color"
| Then glancing slowly around the neat,
tidy, cheerful room, taking in three prime
girls and their pious parents, he quickly
tossed the potatoes into the lap OF tie as
tonishcd mistress, saying, as he did 50, .
| beg your pardon, madam, but | did not III
tend to rob you"
"Oh, you sinful, wicked old creature "
exclaimed the good dame, in holy horror,
as the Disguised old man turned and went
out and shut the door with slam.
In less than half All hour the unfortunate
waytarer was trying his chances at the
house of Henry Barrett.
Come in" said strong, heavy, cheer
full voice, in answer to his tImid knock.
lie entered large, plainly furnished
apartment, and hehcld Il group OF six per-
suns-l;tthcr, mother, two SONS, aud t"o
daughtcrs-Scated around pleasant tire,
with bright light on table near them,
and all looking contentcd and happy. On
seeing lis visitor was an old man ana a
stranger, the master OF the house arose
and invited him 10 walk forward aud tax"
a seat, and all the others drew back re-
spc,ttuliv. to enlarge the circle and gi,c
him the best place at the fire.
| al have called, ;" said the old man, stop
ping and removing his hat from his white
| head, "to ask il would be kind enough
no give me some food and lodgings for the
night p
cor course we will, my friend, and glad
of the chance 10 serve fellow in need u
said Henry Barrett, in 4 frank, cordial
tone. "Sit down and make yourself at
home. Here, give me your hat. Come,
girls, hurry NJ something warm for the old
gentleman, who is wet, tired, and chilled
through, as can readily see. You ought
not 10 have been ont 50 late in this storm,
father"
"No, know" returned the Old gentle
man. holding his trembling hands 10 the
fire, "but the persons applied 10 wouldn't
take me in
"What. refuse lodging to an old man
like YOU on such night, in this Christian
communitv!' exclaimed the indignant
host. "Who were the inhospitablc
wretchcs?"
The old man described the houses and
people where lie had called.
81 see =, said the host, with a grim
smile. ~ understand, The lirst family