Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1871-03-31
.poettp.
Pr YER IND POTATOES.
BN REV. J. I. PErTEE.


II brother or sister be naked, or destitute OF
daily food, aud one of you say unto them: Depart
in peace, be We warmed and llled: notwithstand
ing We give them not those things which are need.
ful FOR the body; what dothit profit Jas a. IL TO-
An old lady sat in her old armchair,
With wrinkled ,isage, and dishevced hair,
And hunger worn features;
For days, and ior weeks, her only fare,
A. she sat there in her old armchair,
Had been potatoes.
But now, they were gone; OF bad or good
None was left OF the old ladys food
OF those potatoes;
And she sighed, and said "What shall do:
where shall send and TO whom shall 20,
sor more potatoes;
And she thought OF the deacon, over the way,
The deacon, so ready to worship and pray,
Whose cellar WAS full of potatoes;
And he said: Il will send Tor the deacon 10
Hell not mind much, 10 give me some
OF such = store of potatoes "
And the deacon came over, as las, As he could,
Thinking to do the old Lady some good
But never OF once, of potatoes;
lie a,sei her at once, what was her chief want
Aud she simple soul, expecting grant,
Immediately answered Potatoes"
But the deacon'- religion, di,lnt lie that way;
lie Mas more accustomed To preach snd io pray
Than tn give of hi, hoardcd potatoes
~, not hcarin; of course. what the old lady said
He rose to pray, with uncovered head,
Hut 81, only thought of potatoes.
lie pra, c,l for wisdom. and patience. and grace,
Hut when he pray ed Lord give her peace"
She audibl, sighed Give potatoes"
At the end of each prayer which h. said,
II. heard, nr thought that hc heard, in its stead
That same reque.t for potatoes.
The deacon vas troubled knew no, what to do;
Twas very embarrassing, Ia have her act so
About those "carual potatoc'"
S.. ending his pI.yer he started for home;
but =, the door closed behind him. hr heard
deep groAn:
80. gir, 20 Ae hungry, Potdioe'"
And that sroan followed him all the way home;
In the midst of the night, it haunted his room
80, gire 10 The hungry, foiatoss -
lie coull bear itno longer trose and dressed
Prom his we'll cellar, taking, IN haste,
\ bay u. his best potatoc-.
Again he went 10 the widow Ion. hut;
Her sieepless eyes sho had not shut;
But there she ,Rt, In tina, old armeilchair,
With the same waa features. the same sad air
And, entering in, he poured Of the door,
bu,hcl oi more, from hi, guodly tore
Of choi, e,t potatoes.
The widow hear, lrapcd tor JOY,
iIcr face was baggard aud wan no more.
"Now.' >ad the deacon. "-hai We lray ="
"Yes " said the widow, "ho'c vou may"
And hc kneclcd him down, on TIA, -sudrd fo"r.
where h had poured hi, sonaly store.
And such prayer, the l,lcon prayed.
\, never hn;orc his lips cssayed,
Ho longer rnibsrrg,s but Tree aud lull.
IL, poured out ia, voice uf liberal soul,
Aui the widow responded a loud amen %"
hut said uo more Ot POTATOES.
Aul would goa. who hear thi, -impiv tale.
Pray FOR the poor, aui prNlns, "PrccGdf"
Then, preface Your prsycr, with aims aud GOO
deeds
>rarcA out the po,i, thet. tnt,, Nni their uc.'l
Prls for pcac., aud grace. nnd spiritual food,
For wisdom, and guidance ior all these goo
Bot dont Jorgd IL, Poftio,s