National opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1865-1874, 1869-10-01
Il Good Lesson.


Many of our readers remember
Rev. 1osea Ballou of Boston, better
known as Father BaIlou,'-one of
those men who though kind and hui
name to a fault, are bold to speak
the truth, and to rebuke evil, at all
times.
Many years ago, when | was but
a boy, | went with my father to
Exter, n. H., to attend the annual
State convention of the religious
denomination to which Mr.. Ballou
belonged. Our abiding place for
the time was beneath thF,hospitable
roof of Brother W--.One of the
leading citizens of that place; who
had an exemplary wite-a true
and faithful friend, land accounted
one of the best housekeepers living.
Her dwelling was a pattern of neat
ness, cleanliness and order; and her
table was the festive altar whereon
was offered the best things that
mans normal appetite ever craTed.
But with all her virtues Sister w.
had one grievous faut-a fault often
found with the very best hOusekeep-
ers. She disparaged, without stint,
the result of her own best endeavorS.
Her house, she declared, was all top
sy turvy,' not fit to be seen, Nc, and
yet she must have known that NOR
tai woman could not have made is
better. But her chief point Of self
derogation was at her table. IIav-
ing expended of her energy, her in.
genuity and of her superior culinary
tact and knowledge, TO provide the
best things possible for her hOnored
guests, she prefaced her labors at
the board by informing them that
she was afraid they would hardly
find anything to eat-she had no
ck,-everything seemed to com
biue against her-and she was real
" ashamed to set such victualS be-
fore them.
Sister w. knew that Father Bal
lou was very fond of peculiar kind
of apple Plea pie of sliced tart
apples, made very sweet, with fine
sugar, and enriched by laying on of
extremely thin slices of pork-Said
pork becoming thoroughly incorpo>
rated with the pie during the pro.
cess of baking. Some Of these pies
we're made for dinner on the second
day .ano Sister w. was glad to know
that her guests were anticipating IA
rich treat; for she had done her
very best aud she knew that she had
never in her life made more per
feet pie than were the ones just from
| the oven.
The dinner was served with the
old story of nothing to eat 'heavy
as lead burned to a crisp mot half
done etc, etc. The guests were
becoming tired of it. Father Ballou
hit his lips, and those who knew him
best could see that he had arrived at
a resolve to administer rebuke.
He felt it to be IA duty.
AT length the meats and vegeta'
bleS were removed, ,and with her own
hands Mrs. ". placed two of her
rich pies upon the table. There was
a sparkle of pride in her eye and a
momcntary play of self-satisiaction
about her lips; for surely two more
magnificent looking pies never came
to any board.
There gentleman, isl bit of pie
| wish | could have made You some
thing better; but it was not to be
Nothing went right with them. They
are not fit to eat-not fit to bring tt
the table. But I have no other.
am sOrrN-vcry sorry
During this speech she had beer
cutting one of the pies, and at it'
conclusion she had transferred
piece to small china plate, the am
ber juice weeping from It's cut side
like richest honey. She looked III
at Father Ballou.
Father Bdllou, shall give you ;
piece 2
The old man slowly and solemn.
shook his head.
Il am very fond of that kind o
pie when it is properly made ; bu
surely, sister W., You should be
competent Judge of your own work
and as think You are u woman q
truth | must take your word for II
You cannot expect me TO eat tina
! which you yourself most emphatic
ally pronounce unfit to eat--unfi
, even to bring t, the table ha'
E promised myself famous treat, bu
, must wait till you have better luck
, And with this the old gentlema
arose and left the table. The Othe
. guests saw Mrs. w. sink bac
+ aghast, and as "A matter of dcilcacy
!, they followed Father Ballou.
= Nearly the whole of that after
: noon Sister w. sat alone in hc
:, chamber, sobbing and crying, an
: rejecting by turns. In the cvcnin
she presided at the teatablc, an
not q word of the old style did sh
utter. Those guests went away,an
:, time passed Ou--other guests car
. and wcnt-cane aud went year aft,
year but never more did the vii
). distress the partakcrs Of her bount
!. In the old, foolish way.
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