Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1874-08-06
"Can't you speak," he asked more

gently:
-"Oh, if you would be SO good as to
give us the least little bit to eat-a
small piece of bread or a few potatoes"
81 thought so, shouted the farmer;
Il was sure you were nothing but
beggars, although you do not seem to
belong to this neighborhood. w e
have plenty of those here, and do not
want them to come from other parts :.
We have not bread for ourselves in
these hard times. You will get nothin G
here. Be of, this moment" -.
The CHILDREN, both terribly frighten-
ed, began to cry bitterly
'eThat will not do you any good. !"
continued the man; ssthat kind of
whining is nothing new to me, and
won't move me. Let your parents feed
you; but they no doubt prefer idling
rather than getting their living by
honest labor"
sour parents are both dead" said
Lizzie.
Il thought SO" replied the farmer.
'sWhenever children are sent out to beg
their father and mother are always
dead, or at least their father. This is a
mere excuse for begging. Be of, this
minute"
1--WE have not eaten a morsel the
whole day." pleaded Lizzie. eve are
so sired that we cannot move a step. If
you would but give us the least bit to
eat, we are so hungry" t-
81 have told you I would not
Beggars get nothing here"
The farmer got up with g threatening
look. Lizzie quickly opened the door
and drew her sister with her. The
children again stood in the farm yard,
but knew not what to do. Suddenly
little Mary drew her hand from her
sisters clasp, and went to the other side
of the yard; there was fierce dog
chained; his dinner stood before him in
a wooden basin. Mary put her hand
in the basin and began to eat with the
dog. Lizzie went nearer and saw that
in the basin there was some liquor in
which few pieces of bread and some
boiled potatoes were floating. She,
likewise, could not resist; she had but
one feeling, that Of the most gnawing
hunger; she took some Of the bread and
potatoes and ate them greedily.
The dog, not accustomed to such
guests, looked at the children full of
establishment; he drew back, then sat
down and left them his dinner, of which
he had eaten but very little. At this
moment the farmer stepped into the
yard he wished to See whether the
children had really left, and then he
saw this singular scene. The dog was
noted for his ferceness, and feared alike
by old and young; he was obliged to
be constantly chained. No one dared
to come near him except his master.
Even the servant put his foot before
him in the most cautions manner. In
the first moment the man thought of
nothing but the fearful danger in which
the children were, and walked quickly
forwards them, he exclaimed:
"Don't you see the dog? He will tear
you to pieces "
But suddenly he stopped, as if rooted
to the ground the dog had got up
again, and gone near the children then
he looked at his master and wagged
his tail. 1t seemed as if he wanted tc
say: rN
'Don't drive my guests away!'
At that sight great change came
over the man the spectacle before hin
acted like an electric shock, and feelings
such as he had never before experienced
seemed to stir within him. -......
The children had risen terrified al
the call of the man, fearful Of punish
ment for having eaten, with downcast
eyes. At last, after several minutes
silence, the farmer said:
care you really so fearfully hungry
that you do noteven despise the dogs
food Come in, then, you shall have
something to eat, and as much as you
like :" And then taking them by the
hand he led them into the house, call
ing out to the servant, ''Biddy, get
some hot bread and milk, and be quick,
for these children.
The dog had shamed his master
the brute had shamed the man. Touch
ed by what he had SEEN. the farmer
was anxious to make amends for what
his conscience showed him to be a
great sin. He seated the children at
the table, sat down by them, and kind
ly asked their names.
"My name Is Lizzie, said the eldest,
and my sister is called Mary
"Have your parents been dead long!"
'.Our father has been dead two years,
but our mother OILY died last week
At the thought of their recent loss
both children began to cry.
Don't cry, children" said the far
mer kindly. "God will in one way OF