The Columbia herald. [volume] (Columbia, Tenn.) 1850-1873, 1870-08-05
friend-put your trust in the Lord ?''

Yes, put your trust in the Lord, and do
not leave home again without means.
By-the-by, while think of il" added
the good woman, laying down a cap
frill on which she had been busily at
work while talking, and looking up
with a bright twinkle in her eye, II
do believe you can get good nights
lodging at Harry Barrett's who lives
on the road south. He is great hand
for taking in strangers" .na
She looked at her 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 Barrett's chance of being the
fortunate heir. no' p
Sarah Jane now returned, and handL
ed the old man two little potatoes. He
took them, turned them slowly over,
examined them on all sides, and muir
INJURED ~ ..,-, 3 -
"They have eyes but can they see
/ think not, for if they could, they'd
blush red instead of keeping such a
dark color" Then, glancing 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 1 beg
your pardon, madam, but did not in
tend to rob you.n ~ 81
go! you sinful, wicked old crca-
ture" exclaimed the good dame, in
holy horror, as the disgusted old man
turned and went out, and shut the door
with slam. t %, rif>.
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 10 his knock.
He entered a large, plainly-furnished
apartment, and beheld group of six
persoDs-father, mother, two sons and
two daughters-seated around a pleas
ant fire, with a bright light on the Ia
BILE near them, and all looking content
ed and happy. 81.
On seeing his visitor was an old man,
and 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.
az 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 the chance to help fellow in
need" said Henry Barrett, in a frank,
cordial tone. "Sit down, and make
yourself at home. Here, give me your
hat. Come, girls, hurry up something
warm for the old gentleman, who is
chilled through, as 1 can readily see.
You ought not to have been out so late
in this storm, father" - e5
"NO, know" returned the old gen.
tleman, holding his trembling hands to
the fire, "but the persons to whom 1
applied wouldn't take me inn %
"What, refuse lodging to an old man
like you on such night as this, in this
Christian community vr exclaimed the
indignant host. "Who We're these
most inhospitable wretchesw
The man described the house end
people where he had called. u
81 see! said the host, with q grim
smile, " understand the first family
kicked you out ?n
"Almost."
The second prayed you out ?'
Almost"
"They are both relatives of mine,
but am ashamed to own them.u 20
"They said, by way of excuse pur-
sued the old man, "that they were ex-
pecting q rich uncle from India, who
wouldn't like to see beggar about"
"Aye, my friend, and we are expect
ing the same rich uncle, too-an eccen-
tric 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, and if he don't like our looks,
or the company we keep, he can take
himself off again." sr'.- -a.
"Nay, my FRIEND" said the aged
stranger rising in some trepidation,
"do not for the world let my presence
jeopardiZe your interests with your
rich kinsman! Twill merely get some
thing to eat, and travel Oh till / find
another lodging" ert
"NO you WON'T" said Harry Bar
rett, bluntly. "YOu won't leave this
house tonight for all the uncles the In
dies can turn out. Sit down again, sir;
sit down and make yourself at home.
know the duty of a man who has
faith in God, and Pm going to do it.
What is his money to me? L can't eat
it, nor drink it nor wear it, nor carry it
into the other world; and Pm sure it
won't bring me any happiness that 1
don't now enjoy, and l also know it
x,,n,,lI ,af oDv,, IN mo ono
mean action. No! let Joshua Barrett
settle his money as he chooses-I'll
arrange my conscience to suit myself"
"GOd bless yOuw murmured the
old man, in trembling voice, and,
bowling his head upon his hands, he
wept in silence. pa ! '.
He remained at that hospitable house
during the night, and was entertained
like an honored guest.
The next day being fair, he took his
leave. AS he was about leaving the
house, Harry Barrett, putting a crown
into his hand, said
"Take it my friend, and not word.
1 don't know who you are, and I've
not felt it my duty to inquire; but this
l know, from your, appearance, man
ner and language, that you're not a
common beggar, and that you have
seen better days, which L sincerely
hope you may see again. It's as much
rs my circumstances will justify, and
may perhaps, serve to keep you from
starving some night, or sleeping by the
wayside. lI't0' 0'' .n3I
"GOd will repay you," said the old
man, solemnly, and he walked slowly
away, wiping the tears from his eyes.
"He has already" unused Harry Bar
rett, placing his hand upon his heart.
az have it here, principal and interest"
Long and in vain did the selfish
families of Moses and Stephen Barrett
look for the appearance of their rich
uncle from India in a carriage and four,
and great was their disappointment
thereat. .f
Then came the intelligence that he
was sick in London. Next came the
news that he was dead, and had left a
will. mn 20
|, What an intense desire. to know the
contents of the will! What wild, fu-
riOus excitement when the contents be-
came known! I,-
TO Moses Barrett he devised one
pound to buy q coffin for the dog his
precious son threatened to set on a
beggar.
To Stephen Barrett he bequeathed
one pound three pence-the pound to
be devoted to the parish poor-the three
pence to buy cold potatoes for beggars,
with the hope that he and his pious
family would put their trust in the
Lord. .H... ~. ,sf
To Harry Barret, and his heirs for
ever, he had willed all the remainder