Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1875-03-26
Tales aud Skftehes.
THE ELEVENTH COMMANDMENT.
BY T. 8. ARTHUR.
+ TcoNrINuEp FROM YESTERDAY.

CONTINUED FROM YEsTERDAY.l
Angels! Did you ever see an angel
look like him ?"
Having never seen an ANGEL said the
husband smiling, Il am unable to speak
as to their appearance
| This had the effect to call an answering
smile to the face of Mrs. Wade, and bet,
ter feeling to her heart And it was final
! ~ agreed between them, that the man as
| he seemed like decent kind of person,
should be permitted to occupy the minis
ter's room, if that individual did not ar
rive, an event to which they both now
looked with but small expectancy Ii he
did come, why the man would have to put
| up with poorer accommodations
When Mr.. Wade returned to the kitch-
| en- where the stranger had seated himself
before the fire, he informed him that they
had decided to let him stay all night. The
man expressed in a few words his CRATE
full sense of their kindness, and then be-
came silent and thoughtful. Soon after,
the farmers wife, giving up all hopes of
Mr.. N.--'s arrival, had supper taken
up, which consisted of coffee, warm cream
short-cakes, and sweet cakes, broiIed ham
and bro ed chicken. After all was on the
| table, 4 short conference was held as to
whether it would do not to invite the
stranger to take supper 1t was true, they
had given him as much bread and bacon
rs he could eat; but then as long as he
was going to stay all night. it looked too
| inhospitable to sit down to the table and
not ask him to join them. So, making a
virtue of necessity, he was kindly asked
to come in to supper an invitation which
he did not decline. Grace was said over
the meal by Mr.. Wade. and the coffee was
poured out. the bread helped, and the
meat served.
There was fine little boy OF some five
or six years old at the table, who had been
frightened up and dressed in his best in
order to grace the minister's reception.
Charley was full of talk, and the parents
felt natural pride in showing him of,
even before their humble guest. who no.
ticed him particularly, although he had
not much to say.
Come, Charley, said Mr. Wade after
the meal was over, and he sat leaning
back in his chair, "can't you repeat the
pretty hymn mamma learned you last
SUNDAY ?'
Charley started off, without further in
vitation, and repeated, very accurately,
ing hymn, that was just then very popu-
lar.
"Now let us hear you say the Com
mandments, Charley" spoke up the
mother. well pleased at her chld's per-
formance. And Charley repeated them
with only the aid OF little prompting.
GLOW many commandments are there %
asked the father.
The child hestated, and then looking
up at the stranger, near whom he sat,
said, innocently-
GLOW many are there ?"
The man thought for some moments,
and said as if in doubt
eleven, are there not ?"
"Eleven"' calculated Mrs Wade, look
ing toward the man in unfeigned sur.
prise
Eleven " said her husband, with more
of rebuke than astonishment in his voice
''Is it possible, sir, that you do not know
how many Commandments there are,
Charley, Gomez Tell me; you know, OF
course
Ten" said the child.
Right, my son. returned Mr.. Wade,
with smile OF approval. Fright. Why,
there isn't child OF his age within ten
miles who can't tell you that there are
ten commandments. Did you never read
the Bible sir ?' addressing the stranger.
"When | was little boy, used to read
in it sometimes. But I'm sure thought
there were eleven Commandments. Are
you not mistaken about there being only
ten ."
Sister Wade lifted her hands in I'm
ieigned astonishment, and exclaimed
Gould any one believe it, such gno-
rance of the Bible ~
Mr.. Wade did not reply, but he arose.
and going to one corner of the room where
the Good Book lay upon q small mahoga-
ny stand brought it to the table, and
pushing away his plate. cup and saucer,
laid the volume before him. and opened
that portion in which the Commandments
are recorded.
There ~ he said, placing his finger up
on proof OF the mans error. There !
Look for yourself :"
The man came round from his side of
the table, and looked over the farmers
shoulder.
There Ten dye see :"
~ es, it does say ten, y replied the man,
''and yet it seems to me there are eleven.
I'm sure have always thought 500
doesn't it say ten. here ?" inquired Mr..
w aue. Win mafkeu lmpalience III ms
voice.
1T does certainly"
'.Well what more do you want ? Can't
you believe in the Bible ?"
80. yes believe in the Bible. and YET
somehow it strikes me that there must be
eleven commandments. Hasn't one been
added somewhere else ?''
Now this was too much for Brother and
Sister Wade to bear. Such ignorance on
sacred matters they felt to be unpardona-
BILE. A long lecture followed, in which
the man was scolded, admonished and
threatened with Divine indignation. At
It's close he modestly asked If he might
have the Bible to read for an hour or two.
before retiring to rest. This request was
granted with more pleasure than any of
the preceding ones. Shortly after supper
he was conducted to the little spare room
accompanied by the Bible. Before teav-