The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1874-08-12
UNEXPECTED FRUIT.

1t is near the commencement of the Cri-
mean war, and in the crowded harbor OF
Toulon, transport ships are being filled with
soldiers who are Fastening to the seat of war.
The French flag is streaming gaily from the
masthead, and mirth and music are made to
drown the thoughts of home, and to deaden
the pangs, and partings, and farewells. A
French soldier must seem gay at such mo-
ment, the look of sadness might awaken suS-
picions of his bravery, and then should he
never return, what glory is there equal to
that which surrounds soldiers grave!
Amid all this hustle and excitement, an
humble colporteur is, with quiet earnestness,
plying his work of selling Bibles and New
Testaments to the soldiers. and though many
refuse to purchase, and even turn aside from
him with levity or disdain, there are some
found who are willing to give few francs in
exchange for the treasure. One young sol
dier, in particular, expresses strong desire
to obtain copy of the good book, and on
being assured that he is poor, the colporteur
offers him beautiful copy at half price
But he protests that even. half franc cannot
be spared. He would greatly like to possess
Bible, and to read it, but unless he may
have it for nothing, it cannot be his. The
good colporteur hesitates. His Instructions
are not to give away the Bible gratuitously,
when even trifing sum can be got IN ex-
change, III order to secure that it may not
be cast away, or handed over to the priests.
But this young man looks so earnest and i'm
ploring, and protests so vehemently, that he
will obey the spirit rather than the letter of
his instructions, and give him Bible for
nothing. A copy is accordingly selected
from the colporteur's knapsack, and given to
the soldier. But what is his surprise, when,
instead of expressions of gratitude, loud
laugh Immediately arises from the soldier
and his comrades. The truth is that the
good man has been wickedly and cruelty
duped. The soldier had laid wager with
his companions that he would fain poverty
and earnestness so we'll as to deceive the
book pedlar, and to obtain Bible from him
without paying even sou in exchange for
it. And now, exulting at the clever manner
in which he has performed his part, he covers
the good man with ridicule. "Did you, in
deed, suppose that l cared for this Bible of
yours? Well yes, l do care for it after all.
1t has some use, for | shall light my pipe
with leaf from it every morning, and
tearing out the first leaf now let me take
my first smoke to your honor"
1t was bitter moment for the poor col,
porteur to find his generosity thus abused,
and his discrimination at fault, and, for a
little while he was tempted to think of
abandoning his work in despair. But he
did not abandon it. Certain words of Scrip
ture rose to his recollection, and, like good
angels, cheered him on, "Cast thy bread
upon the waters, and thou shalt find it after
many days." "In due season we shall reap
if we faint not" And soon after, descend.
ing the sides of the vessel, he breathed 81.
lent prayer that that young and hardened
soldier might be forgiven, and that that very
Bible might be blessed.
Eighteen months passed away, during
which hundreds of those soldiers who haC
sailed from Toulon with such light hearts had
found a grave In the cold trenches, or me-
with death on the battle feds of Inkermanr
and Alma. About this time, our colporteur
who has, meanwhile, dged over many &
dusty road and faced many pelting blast
might have been seen late on a certain after
noon, with replenished knapsack, entering
small French village, and seeking refresh
ment at it's little inn. But instead of meet
ing with the usual prompt and courteous
welcome, he finds the landlord and his wife
sunk in deep distress. He inquiries th'
cause. That day they had committed to th'
grave their only son. He had gone out {
young and light-hearted soldier to the Cri
mea, but the long nightwatches in thu
trenches had undermined his constitution
he had returned to his home far advanced il
consumption, and after lingering out hi
young life for few weeks he died.
"We saw plainly that he was dying" con
tinued the parents, "and he often gently
warned US of the fact, but what astonish
ed us was, that while we were sad, and in
consolable, and the whole village sorrowe'
with US at the prospect of losing our Owl
son, he was happy and not afraid to die"