The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1867-10-31


we had, we don't harbor beggars - re
piled the master Of the house in a coarse
brutal tone.
''But I'm old, feeble and hungry, anG
wet and tired, "-said the aged applicant, il
a pleading tone, .'and if you drive me
away, l may perish
Swell that's what you ought to have
done long ago. put in the cross old dame.
'tWken people get too lazy to work for
an honest living, and start out begging,
it's my opinion they're better dead nor
alive. BESIDES we expect company soon
"a rich gentleman from India-and
hain't got no room for the likes of you. -
"Well, then," said the old man with a
sorrowfu look, ''siuce you can't keep me
over night, will you please give me some
thing to eat and I'll go further
The dame brought up piece of brown
bread with an angry look, and was about
to hand it TO the mendicant, more for the
purpose, as it seemed, of getting rid of
him, than from any feeling of compassion
but her misery husband interposed, and
said sharply:
81 told you we hadn't anything for you,
/ S&i4'A % u Oi
''I,ll set the dogs on you, if you don't,
you old beegar!' cried a lad of ten.
''My rich uncie's coming here to~night,
and he can't bear beggars 50 you had
better be going while your bones are
whole !"
''Iay Heaven be more mcrciful than
you,' sighed the old man, as he turned
ard disappeared in the darkness.
Some half an hour later, he knocked at
the door of Stephen Barrett--another of
the nePhews~aRd asked for food and
lodging.
1t isn't convenient for US to keep you
Tonight" said the master Of the house,
in mild, digniied 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 yom.
No one need starve in this country " h.ch
the Lord, praised be His name, has So
bountifully blessed. l trust i am not
wanting in charity-as an humble follow
er of the Lord Jesus Christ, hope am
not-but what wiz taxes for the support
of the government and ,he poor, donations
to the benevolent societies and heather
missions, it is as much as can do to live
and give my family respectable mainte-
nance. Now, my friend, if you are poor,
and not able to work (though L don't see
why you may not work as we'll as travel,
you had better throw youcself on the par
ish 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 auy good to might" :"
''But you should have thought of thai
before you left home" now chimed in the
good housewife. with a sanctifed air
''lt IS sinful to tempt Providence, as it
is called; and whoever sins must expect
punishment. l never leave home without
providing for the journey, and, of course,
| don't expect anybody to feed and shelter
me for nothing. II is sin, too, TO be
idle when man is able to work, and it
is against my principle, as n true Chris
tlan, TO encourage any one i'll SHINING"
"Then, l suppose | am to understand
that you refuse me both food and lodging
said the old man.
GAS for food said the pious dame,
glancing at her husband, ''if you are hun
cry, l suppose we can do something for
you IN that way but lodging is out of the
question, for two mounted couriers have
been sent here to say that very rich un-
Gle of ours from India will be here very
soon; and he wrote some line ago that he
didn't like to have bcggars about where he
was, and we would not like to offend him
True, We hardly expect him Tonight, but
then he might come, you know, and we
NanIIlHn'f ye tn Il
"N ell, then" said the old man with a
sigh, 81 will take the food, if you please,
and 60 on even if perish
''Put your trust in the Lord, my friend,
put your trust in the Lord !" said Stephen
Barrett, solemnly.
''Yes," echoed his wife, ''put your trust
in the Lord that is what we do when
in trouble. Sarah Jane, 90 down in the
cellar and bring up a couple of those cold
potatoes for this old man. They are very
COED when ore is hungry like them
myself. Yes, put your trust in the Lord,
and don't leave home again without means.
BY the way, while think of it, added
the good old woman, laying down a cap
frill on which she had been at work while
talking, and looking up with bright twin
kle in her eye, 81 do believe you can get
a good nights lodging at Harry Barretts,
who lives only half 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
In Ease the rich uncle should find the beg
gar there, it might improve Stephen Bar
rett's chances of becoming the fortunate
heir.
Sarah Jane now returned and handed
the old man two little cold potatoes. He
took them, turned them slowly over, exam
;nnd tIlem nn all sides and rnnrnnroh