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

lretiully, "Oh, yes. suppose so;" ant
going 10 the cupboard, brought out diSl
containing piece OF cold lat bacon tha
had been boiled with cabbage for dinner
and hall loaf OF bread, which she placet
on the kitchen table and told the man lC
help himself. The stranger did not wal
Tor another invitation but set TO work il
good earnest upon The bread and bacon
while the farmer stood with his hands be
hind him, and his back To the fire, whilst.
ling the air of "Auld Lang Syne," while
he mentally repeated the words OF the
hymn when | Can Read Ny Title
Clear" and wished his visitor would make
haste and get through with his SUPPER.
The latter, after eating Tor short time
with the air OF man whose appetite was
keen, began TO discuss the meat and bread
with more deliberation. and occasionally
TO ask question or make a remark, the
replies 10 Which were not very gracious,
although Mr.. Wade forced himself to be
as polite rs he could be.
The homely meal a, length concluded,
the man buttoned up his old coat, and
drew on his coarse woolen gloves again.
aud thanking Mr.. and Mrs. Wade for
their hospitality opened the door and
looked out. The wind rushed into his
face, cold and piercing. For q moment
or two he stood with his hand upon the
door, and then closing il he turned back
into the nouse, and said TO the farmer -
You say il is still three miles to D-?"
II do" said MI. Wade coldy. 81 said
so to You when You first stopped, and
You ought to have pushed - like a pru.
dent man. You could have reached there
before il was quite dark"
But was cold aad hungry, and might
nave tainted by tke way"
The manner OF saying this touched the
armcrS feeling q little, and caused him
% look mo.c narrowly into the strangers
ace than he had ys, done. But he saw
,othing more than he had already seen
You have warmed and led ne. Tor
= hich am thankful. viii you not be.
tow another act Of biuGuoss upon one
who is in strange pace, and il he goes
~, in the darkness may lose himself and
'ciiSh in the cold"
The peculiar loim in which this request
Sas made. and the tone in which il was.
uttered, put it almost out of the power OF
be farmer to say no.
"Go in there and sit down" he answer.
ID. pointing to the Kitchen, "anl will
ee my wife. aud hear what she has to
az"
And Mr.. Wade went into the parlor
where the supper table stood, covered
) ith snow white cloth, and displaying
lis wile's set Of blue sprigSed china. that
vas oaly brought out on special occa
,ions. Two tall mould candles were
,urning thereon, and on the hearth blazcd
cheerful hickory fire.
Hasn't that old fellow gone yet?'
skel Mrs. Wade. She had heard his
oice as he returned from the door.
mo. And wh at do you suppose ? lie
wants US to let him stay all night"
"Indeed, and We'll DO no such thing
We can't have the likes OF him in the
louse, no how. Where could he sleep?'
"Not in the best room, even if Mr..
l- shouldn't come"
NO, indeed -
But really don't see, Jane, how we
AN turn him out OF doors. He doesn't
ook like very strong man, and it's dark
md cold, and full three niles 10 D"
It's too much! lie ought TO have
gone on while he had daylight, and not
fingered here as be did until it got dark"
I'VE can't turn him out of doors, Jane,
lnd it's no use to think of it. He'll have
o stay now"
"But what can we DO with him ?"
He seems like decent man. at least,
md don't look as ii he had anything bad
.bout him. We might make him a bed
m the floor somewhere.
IL wish he had been 10 Guinea before
he came here" said Mrs. Wade. fretfully.
The disappointment. the conviction that
Mr.. N would not arrive, and the in
tusiou of so unwecome visitor as the
stranger. completely unhinged her mind.
"Oh, well, Jane," replied her husband
n a soothing voice, "never mind. We
must make the best of it. Poor man
lie came TO US Tired and hungry, and we
nave warmed and fed him. He now asks
shelter tor the night. and we must not
-efuse him, nor grant his request in a
reluctant spirit. You know
what the Bible says about entertaining
angels unawares.
angels! Did you ever see an angel
ook like him p
"llaving never seen an angel" said the
husband smiling. al am unable to speak
as to their appearance"
This had the effect to cal an answering
smile to the face OF Mrs. Wade, and q
better feeling 10 her heart. And it was
finally agreed between them. that the man
IS he seemed like decent kind OF a person
should be permitted TO occupy thc minis
.er's room, it that individual did not