Delaware gazette. [volume] (Delaware, Ohio) 1855-1886, 1870-12-30
THE CARPENTER.
A CHRISTMAS STORY.

Elkanah did not move, but only re-
yolved his greasaeyes and stared in
blank astonisn1enE at the little girl
She sat very placid1y, looking at the
fire. There was a moments pause.
Come in, he doomed, in a stentorian
tone.
At that instant red cihder few from
the hearth, with loud crack, upon
Lilian's dress. and in the momentary
alarmed diversion of his attention, as
he hastened to flip it back into the FIRE,
the old man heard the opening and shut
ting Of the door 1t was with a feeling
of vacant amaze almost rising into
fright, that, turning his head, as he did
immediately, he saw a large, gray stfan-
ger standing in the room.
The old man rose slowly. from his
seat to his full height, with wondering
eyes astare upon the newcomer. The
latter stood composedly gazing at him.
He was tall and stalwart, with uncov-
cred head; a brow not large,a but full
and scanned with kindly wrinkles; a
complexion of rosy clearness heavy
lidded, firm blue eyes. which had a
steadfast and draining regard, a short,
thick, gray beard almost white, and
thinly- y-AoWing dark-grayE hair. His coun-
tenance expressed rude sweetness. He
was dressed in a long. dark overeoat,
much worn, and of such uncertain fash
ion. that it alInoste seemed a gaberdiae
As he stood there in the gracious dark
ling light, he looked an image of long
and loving experience with men, of i'm
movable composure and charity, of Sc
rene wisdom, of immortal rosy youth in
reverend age. A faint perfume exhaled
fro Il In he 0F !,
coat he wore a sprig of holly. His left
hand, in which he also held his shape
Hess hat, carried a carpenter s plane. s
Elkanah stood, almost quaking IN
wardly in the presence of this august
stranger, in whose aspect were singular
Iy blended the prophet and the child
The child in him inspired love; the
prophet awe. He drew and he re-
PEELED.
This must besyours.9 said the stran-
ger, in clear, slow accents, sweet and
vibrating, extending, as he spoke, the
implement in his hand. 81 found it at
your gate-Post on the highway
F'NVlly, yes, = faltered .Elkanah, with
a slight start, taking the planes c..Toms 5
work, know. He was shaving away
there where the gate shut hard, and.
Just like the little love-daft noddy, he
leaves the tool behind him.
q am wayfarer.'' said the stranger,
after pause, ''and would like pernis-
sion to remain with you a little while )"
''Why, certainly. God bless me (!
what am I thinking of" abruptly broke
forth Elkanah, recovering Immediately
at the chance of offering hospitality,
and beaming into smiles. ''You are
welcome, sir, right welcome. My name
is Elkanah Dyer. Sit ye.. down, sir
sit ye down Hahs! spang Up goes
the merry-fre T. he cried, laying the
plane upon the mantel, and bustling
forward his own oak chair for the stran-
ger, as the blaze laughed upward with
food of light. ''You are right vel
come. Your hand. sir,'ts and ! bowing
with stately courtesy, he extended his
own -=-- sos f5eAS
The stranger slowly took the proffered
hand, with a pressure soe gradual, so
cordial, and SO strong, that -Elkanah
felt it down deep into his very heart
As the sublime Scripture phrase has it,
his bowels yearned to this new friend
and, despite the reverent distance which
the lofty and sweet reserve of the stran-
ger maintained, he felt a sudden init
macy as of many years, born from his
quality of manly love. AT the same
time, his old brain was still in daze of
wondering confusion.
''Sit ye down, sir-sit ye down. he
chiFruped, stepping baekwardA with a
wave of both hands; while the stran-
ger, slow in all his motions, paused
standing beside the chair. "And if l
might not be thought over-bold, sir, he
went on, confusedly engaged with the
odd coincidence of the strangers ad-
vent and personal aspect with the child's
words, what might l call your ma
occupation--the name of your occupa-
tion--no-yes-O dear me, dear me.
And Elkanah tweaked his great eagle
nose in comical bewildernent, sofne-
what dubious what he had asked for,
but impressed that it was the name, az
ter all, as he intended.
II am a carpenter - said the stranger,
simply, IN rather low but distinct
voice. "My name"
All, yes ;, excuse me, said Elkaaah,
unaware that he was inteFruptihg, in
the haste of his HuFried belief that IL
had got the informatioEA he meant, 70
ask for. Carpenter, A name I ike
well-as I do you, sir, if you'll excuse
an old mans frankness. Sit ye down,
Mr.. Carpenter. You are right welcome. {"
The stranger bent his grand and gen