Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1875-07-27

''''N 'huiHcIcully, 0nu lu voice meant
TO repulSe The stranger, whose appearance
did not impress him lavorably.
"ilow far is it to D. ?" inquired the
man.
Three miles. " replied Mr.. Wade. who
having filed his arils with wood, was
beginning to move towards the house.
80 far?' said the man in tone that
was slightly marked with hesitation. "I
thought it was bnt little way from this. :"
Then with an air ofhesitation, and speak.
ing In respectful voice, he added, Il
would feel obliged if you would let me
so IN and warm myself have walked
Tor two miles in the cold, aud as D is
still three miles oil. shall be chilled
through before get there"
SO modest and natural request as this
Dir. Wade could not refuse, and yet, in
the way he said-"Oh, certainly"-there
was manner that clearly betrayed his
wish that the man had passed on and
preferred his request somew where else
Whether this was Goticod or not. is of no
consequence, tue wayiarer,o on this assent
to his request. followed Mr.. Wade into
the house.
Jane" said the farmer as he entered
the house with the stranger, and his voice
was not as cordial ~ it might have been,
"lel This man warm him by The fire He
has To so all the way 10 d this even.
ing and say he is cold"
There ia Kind OF magnetic Intelligence
IN the tones of the voice, Ms. Wade
understood perfectly, 10y the way in
which this Was said, that the husband did
not feel much sympathy for The stranger,
aud only yielded The favor asked because
be could not well refuse to grant it. Her
own observation did not Correct the inn
preston her husbands manner had pro.
duccd. The mans dress though neither
dirty nor ragged, was not calculated TO
impress one favorabIy.
Ills hat was much woro. and The old
gray coat. in which be WAS bultoucd up
To lLc chin. had seen - much s,ry ice
Iha, 1t MAS literally thread5lrc from col.
Er 10 sAist, aud shoNed numerous patch .
6, dsrnS, au' other evidences of needle (
work applied long since to it, oris sinal .
manufacture. His COW hide boots, though I.
"Ao'e, had coarse look; and hi, long
dark beard gave hs lace, not very pre-
possessing one at best, not very attract
i've aspect.
You can sit down there" said Mrs. /
Wade. a little uugraciou,ly, for she telt .
tie presence of the man, just At that par
ticular iuncture, Us IN intrusion aud she .
pointed TO an old chair that stood near
the fireplace. in front OF which was a
large Dutch oven containing some Of her
best cream short cakes, prepared espec
billy Tor Mr.. ". the new Presiding .
Elder now mo.nentarily expected.
Thank you. maam.' returned the
stranger, Us he took the chair, and dew
close up to the blazing hearth, aud re-
moving his thick wooden gloves. spread
his hands to receive the genial warmth.
Nothing more was said by either
stranger OF Mr.. Wade. for the space OF
three or tour minutes, During this time |
the good housewife passed in and out.
once or twice, busy as could be IN looking
after supper afAirs. The lid of the
ample Dutch oven had been raised once
or twice and both the eyes and nose OF
the traveller was greeted with pleasant
token Of The good fare soon 10 be served .
up in the family.
lie was no longer cold but the sight |
and smell Of cake and other good things |
in preparation by the lady, awakened
sense of hunger. and made it keenly ielt
But, as the comfort Of little warmth had /
been bestowed so reluctantly, he could /
not think OF trespassing on the farmer
and his wife for bite OF supper, and so
commenced drawing on his heavy wooden |
gloves. and bultoning up bis old gray I.
coat. While occupied in doing this. Mr..
Wade came into the kitchen, and said
I'm afraid. Jane, that the minister
won't be along this evening. It's after
sun down, and begins to grow duskish."
"He ought to have been here an hour
ago" returned Mrs. W, in tone OF dis
appointment.
Its getting late, my friend, and
D-'s a good distance ahead" remark
ed the farmer. after standing with his
back to the fire. and regarding for some
moments the stranger. who had taken of
his gloves. aud was slowly unbuttoning
his coat again.
It's three miles. you say Y
Yes. good three miles, If not more;
and il will be dark IN half an hour
"What direction must take ?" inquir-
ed the stranger.
You keep along the road until you
come to meeting house on the top OF
the hill, half mile beyond this. and
then you suike of to the right, and keep
straight on"
"WLat meeting.house is it?"
The D Methodist meeting house"
You are expecting the minister,
think YOU iust now said? ?"