The Pulaski citizen. [volume] (Pulaski, Tenn.) 1866-current, 1870-08-05

ing is out as8the question, for two
mounted cOuriers have been here tC
!, say that very rich uncle of ours, -'om
India, will be here very soon and he
wrote some time ago that he didn't
like to have beggars about where be
was, and we should not like to offend
him. True, we hardly expect him to
night, but then he might come, you
know, and we wouldn't like to run any
risk"
Well, then, )" said the old man, with
a sigh, I" will take the food, if you
please, and go on, even if I perish"
" Put your trust in the Lord, my
friend-put your trust in the Lord ?'i
said Stephen Barrett, solemnly.
p" Yes" echoed his wife, "put YOU
trust in the Lord that is what we dc
when in trouble. Sarah Jane, &c
down in the cellar and bring up coup
lie of those cold potatoes for this old
lman-they are very good eating when
one is hungry-I like them myself
Yes, put your trust in the Lord, and dc
not leave home again without means.
By-the-by, while think of it" added
the good woman, laying down a cap
frill on which she had been busily al
work while talking, and looking up
with bright twinkle in her eye, g
do -helieve you can get a good nights
lodging at Harry Barrett's who lives
L0n Che road south. He is a. great hand
for taking ip- str gers
/ She loOlleosat ner husband, and both
smiled, knowingly, for both were think
ing that in case the rich uncle should
find the beggar there, it might increase
Stephen BaFrett's chance of being the
fortunate heir.
Sarah Jane now returned, and hand
ed the old man two little potatoes. He
took them, turned them slowly over,
examined them on all sides, and muir
mured-
"They have eyes but can they see
I think not, for if they could, they'd
blush red instead of keeping such a
dark color" Then, gIancing slowly
around the neat, tidy, cheerful room,
taking in three prim girls and their pi-
GUS parents, he quickly tossed the pO-
tatOes into the lap of the astOnished
mistress, saying, as he did So beg
your pardon, madam, but did not in
tend to rob you"
60! you sinful, wicked old crea-
ture ~ exclaimed the good dame, in
holy horror, as the disgusted old man
turned and went out, and shut the door
with slam.
In less than half an hour the unfOr-
tunate wayfarer was trying his chances
at the house of Harry Barrett.
"COme in" said strong, hearty and
cheerful voice, in answer TO his knock.
He entered large, plainly-,urnished
apartment, and beheld a group of six
persODs-father, mother, two sons and
two daughters seated around pleas
ant fire, with bright light on the. .ta-
bic near them, and all looking CONSENT
ed and happy.
n tow II
and a stranger, the master of the house
arose, and invited him to walk forward
and take seat, and all the others drew
back, respectfully, to enlarge the circle,
and give him the best place at the fire.
&c have called" said the old man,
stopping, and removing his hat from
his white head " to ask if you would
give me some food and lodging for the
! night"
"Of course we will, my friend, and
: glad of the4chance to help a fell low in
: eed," said Henry Barrett, in aalrank,
cordial tone. "Sit down, and snake
yourself at home. Here, give N tour
hat. Come, girls hurry up something
warm for the ola gentleman, who is
Chi ed through, as 1 can readily see.
! You ought not to have been out so late
in this storm, father.n
d "No, I know" returned the old gen
tleman, holding his trembling hands to
the fire, but the persons to whom /
| applied wouldn't take me in"
"What, reIdse lodging to an old man
like you on sch a night as this, in this
Christian community!n % exclaimed the
most inhospitable wretchest2j
The man described the TOuse and
people where he had calleds'
"I see J" said the host, with a grim
smile, " understand 4! the first fam y
kicked you out ?"
4" Almost" q
EThe second prayed you out ?"
" Almost"
"They are both relatives of mine,
but I am ashamed to own them"
"They said, by way of excuse" pur-
sued the old man, that they were eX-
pecdng a rich uncle from India, who
woU dn't like to see beggar about"
Aye, my friend, and we are expect
ing the same rich uncle, too-an eccen-
trio old bachelor, who says he wants to
make one of us heir to his vast posses
siOns. Two gaily mounted messengers
: arrived here this evening to say that
he would be here tonight or tO-mor-
row, probably the latter. But when
ever he does come, he will find us as
we are, ard if he don't like our looks
or the company we keep, he can take
himself off again."
''Nay, my friend" said the aged
stranger, rising in some trepidatiOn
" do not for the world let my presence
jeopardiZe your interests with youl
rich kinsman! will merely get some
thing to eat, and travel on till l fine
another lodging"
"NO you WON'T" said Harry Bar
rett, bluntly. You won't leave thi!
house tonight for all the uncles the In
dies can turn out. Sit down again, sir
sit down and make yourself at home
I know the duty Of man who ha
,, faith in God, and Pm going to do it
What is his money to me? 1 can't ca
it, nor drink it nor wear it, nor carry i
into the other world; and Pm sure
, won't bring me any happiness that
don't now enjoy, and l also know
Would not compensate me for on
mean action. No let Joshua Barret
settle his money as he chOoses-I'I
: arrange my conscience to suit myself
God bless you'll ~ murmured tn
, old man, in a trembling voice, and
: bowling his head upon his hands, h
! wept in silence.
! He remained at that hospitabIe hOus
. during the night, and was entertaine
: like an honored guest.
! The next day being fair, he took hi
I leave. AS he was about leaving til
. house, Harry Barrett, putting a crow.
=. into his hand, said
"Take it my friend, and no. a wore
,, I don't know who you are, and pv
not felt it my duty to inquire; but thi
! I know from your appearance, mar
ner ant language, that you're not
f common beggar, and that you hay
= seen better days, which I sincerel
hope you may see again. It's as niue
as my circumstances will justify, an
: may perhaps, serve keep you IiOl
. starving some night, or sleeping by tn
:. wayside.
'sGod will repay you," said the ol
| - o11zaH c1CvlyT