The state rights democrat. [volume] (Albany, Linn County, Oregon) 1865-1900, 1872-12-06

tree IN front oil the i Falrinan farmhouse
and iasten his horse. The elder was
little man, aud and his Sunday suit
seemed TO tyrannize over him good
deal. Ills coat cutls dscended over
his hands, tuit of stiff hair stood up
above his narrow forehead, and he
spoke with shuttle.
Mrs. Fairnan was ironing by the
table when she saw him ride up, aud
she put her tlat.ron back on the stove,
and went out ON the stoop To meet
him. II am SO glad you happened
along day" she said, with her face
drawn into its usual FUCKERS OF anx-
ious concern. Perhaps you heard
that Obed got hurt. He's laid up
now, aud 1 thought mebbo if you
should talk to him there might be an
awakening. You don't know how l
have wrestled III prayers 10 bring
Obed to conviction. | often think Of
what the Bible says about being un-
equally yoked with an unbelievcr,--
not that | would have it thought that
Obcd amt good, moral man, kiud
to his women folks, and as good n
provider as can be when times amt
hard, but it's been a trial.
II know il has, sister. These are
filthy rags OF seli:righteousness," said
the elder, taking out his bapdanna
and wiping the dust from his legs --
The human heart is deceitful in all
things, and desperately wicked"
Salome had been smoothing Obed's
iron gray hair. lie loved TO feel the
touch OF her delicate fingers. One
big brown hand with prominent joints
lay on the patched quilt, and the mans
face, SO rugged aud homely, with still
dreamy look in his eyes, was soft
encd with almost 4 childlike express
sion Of peace. Mrs. Fairman came
ushering in the elder.
Glad 10 see you," said Obed TO the
little parson, and he put out his hand
with genuine warmth. 1--WE had n
little pull back, but the doctor says |
shall he around again in a day or
two
"Ahem! !" returned the parson clear
ing his throat: THE Lord sends sea
sons OF affections upon us 10 bring us
| to n sense of sin
IL don't know about that" returned
he with his eye Frightening, Il amt
as familiar with the Lords intentions
as some folks profess TO be; and as
for the tronble, / guess we bring the
most of it on ourselves"
That amt Bible doctrine" return
ed the elder, rather disrnally, at
may do TO live by, but it wont serve
in the hour of death"
Il don't know why said Obed,
whctting his argumentative weapon.
~ gness what will stand in this life
will stand in any other"
The itnpenitent heart is the gall OF
bitterness and the bond OF itiquity,'
replied the elder, fidgcting on his chair.
How will the sinners feel in the day
when the goats are separated from the
sheep -
according to my ciphering,' said
| Obed, God means 10 take care of the
goats too. They may not be worth
as much as the sheep; there's big
difference in folks; but guess they'll
20 for what they are worth. At any
rate, shall take what comes without
grumbling or complaining. There is
n passage of Scripture that says,
Though He slay me, yet vii trus,
him. | have thought of that good
many times when I've been working
alone in the field; and guess can
take what the Lord sends but there
are some things men would like to
force on me, | amt SO ready TO re.
cciye."
The elder couldn't think of answer
to this. so he cleared his throat, and
said, Il should like, if You don't OBJ
ject, TO have a season Of prayer"
II don't mind your prayer" replied
Obed, cheerfully, "if you want to, but
/ guess the Lord knows all you car
tell him, and little more. Folks take
sight of pains to give information
There's a still, small voice spoken of
that I've thought heard out in the
lot sometimes, with the birds singing
and everything still, and my heart ha,
answered, and I've had kind of no
ton that that was prayer"
Mrs. Fairman and Salome we whis
!, pering together in the kitchen. 1--WE
must try and scrape the BARREL" sale
the anxious house wife, so as to get
white flour enough to make griddle
cakes for tea; then we can put on the
canaille bread to look like one kind
You must tell Ezra to be sure ant
refuse the cakes. He's dreadful font
of them. There's the dried apple
sauce and little mite of plum pre-
serves, just enough to help the elder
twice; SO l guess we shall manage te
appear respectable"
The next day there came change
, in the weather The cold northeas,
, wind gave way to south breeze, and
it grew warm and close. Big blacl
clouds rolled up the sky, and anxious
longing eyes watched it, and prayed
} for rain.
The shower was coming when Sa
lone went into her fathers room with
a letter in her hand.
"Why, child" said he opening it
Bunker, the man that bought the ole
Haynes place, wants to get three
acres off of the back end of my land
It's strong piece, but it goes corner
ing into his,a, and there's some folks
that can't bear to have notch in 6
taffn, and / guess he's one of then
Z kind. He offers big price, and the
money will pay off my debts to Whit
combs, and leave me something over
1t does seem as though there was 0
Providence in it. l can't ever see