The tribune. [volume] (Beaufort, S.C.) 1874-1876, 1875-11-24


cit was not well of thee, Friend
Brill, to deny with harsh words the re-
quest of a child. Thy trees are laden
with fruit and the ground is covered
with thy unused abundance. Thee
might have given the child one little
apple"
Tho woman stood with her calm, ac-
cusing eyes fixed on the farmers face !;
they seemed to penetrate his soul and to
read his very thoughts.
"No, it was net well of thee, Friend
Brill" she repeated.
"I hate begging" answered the
farmer, rallying himself.
That was not common begging and
thee knows it," replied the stranger.
"The child's father should have had
fruit on his own trees. But he was too
idle to plant them and now his children
go begging of his neighbors."
"That is not his children's fault. If
the poor little ones are hungry for apples
and thee has more than thee can use why
shall thee not be better father in re-
gard for them than he who is of their
own flesh and blood2 Would thee not
give thy own children apples2"
"My own children That is another
thing. I have taken care of my own
children"
"The earth is the Lords and the full
ness thereof, and we are all His chill
dren," answered the little woman. "He
gives in charge to some His broad grain
fields and fruitful orchards that they
may fill barns and storehouses, and lay
up food for the hungry and seed for the
sower, so that His people die not FOR
lack of bread. Does thee think that Thy
Gol.1 Al
harvests for thee alone3 II thee does,
thee has not understood the ways of God
with men,"
The farmer did not reply. He was
dumb in the presence of the stranger !;
dumb because of sudden convictions
and new light breaking into his soul
that blinded and bewildered him.
Thee has thought and cared only for
thysei aud for thy own until now," said
his visitor, "but there Is truer and a
better life before thee. Thee must grow
broader and more generous. Thee must
become giver instead of only receiver
of good things. Thee must learn the
meaning Of that wise saying TO give
is to ive.' Will thee not go with me q"
And the little woman turned from the
porch, Farmer Brill rising and following
her.
Thee must bring basket of apples
with thee" said the woman, pausing at
the gate.
The farmer filed a great basket and
took it on his arm.
"It is so kind of you, sir" said the
weary looking woman in whose poor lit
tie home he set down the basket. And
her grateful looks and tones sent to his
heart feeling of warmth and pleasure,
purer and deeper than he had known
for long, long time.
"Thee understands, now," said his
companion, as they left the cottage,
"what true, sweet life thee may live if
thee will. God has given thee of his
earthly bounties more than hundred
fold beyond thy needs, and leisure to
care for thy neighbors, and health in
thy declining years. And yet thee is
not happy. Why2 Thee is still trying
to live for thysef alone"
Farmer Brill's ears and at the same in
other presence. 1t was that of his
wife.
" How sound asleep you were, An
drew! I don't like to have you sleep so
heavily in the daytime. It isn't good"
The farmer started up with bewii-
dered air.
Why, Andrew What ails you I?
What have you been dreaming about 2"
ooh 1t was q dream Yes, I see.
Dreams are strange things"
And the farmer settled himself back
i'll his chair and dropped his chin upon
his bosom, not to sleep again, for he was
very wide awake now, but to ponder on
what he had heard from the lips of the
monitor, who had come to him in a
vision.
As his wife went back into the house
Farmer Brill heard the sound of horses
feet in the road, and looking up saw one
of his neighbors little way off. 1t was
now over five years since he had denied
some trifiing favor to this man, and
there had been coldness between them
ever since. At sight of him the farmer
had an uncomfortable feeling, and drop
ped his eyes, intending not to see him.
But this only made him feel the more
uncomfortable. So, with a self-com-
pelling effort, he rose from his seat and,
walking out through the gate that open
ed upon the road, met his neighbor, say
ing in as cordial a tone as he could intro
duce into his voice: "Good morning,
Mr.. Holden"
"Good morning, Mr.. Brill" returned
the neighbor, little surprised at this
unusual friendliness. He drew up his
horse, and leaning down took the farm
er's offered hand.
"How is Mrs. Holden 2"
"Well, thank you And how is Mrs.
Brill 2"
Hearty for one of her years."
"And your own health 2"
"Can't complain. A little stiff with
rheumatism sometimes but suppose I
ought to be thankful that my limbs are