The Andrew County Republican. [volume] (Savannah, Mo.) 1871-1876, 1876-08-03
A NEW PLEASURE.
BY T. s. ARTHUR.

BY t. s. ARTHUR.
Farmer Brill had been Il hard-work.
Ig, industrious man, and now, in his
ter years, he was enjoying the fruit of
well directed toll but not in the large
easure that might have been his if he
kd known howto get the most from his
bssessions. The farmer had worked
Rrrowly all his life, and now he was
lying to enjoy himself narrowly, still
bping to find pleasure in receiving in
{ead of giving He did feel less kindly
ward his neighbors than he should
tve felt, for he had never been SO
nd and helpful toward them rs he
4ould have been, and the consequence
Us that q great deal of GOODNESS and
Twill lay between him and some of
&ese neighbors. The origin of this
l-will could be traced, in most in
Iances, to some denial Of II service or
Dvor asked in bygonc time. Farmer
bill was Il staunch believer in the doc
line of self-help; he asked no ~favors,
~ gave none, except with bad grace.
hd yet, hidden away down in his heart
bill covered over by scltiohness and the
We of gain, was an element of kindness
lot often stirred his nature, and tried
S%assert itself in action.
The farmer sat in his shady porch one
Syely autumn day, trying to enjoy him
klf. His fields had been reaped, and
b barns held the treasures of golden
fain which the generous earth had
ren him. All around him bent fruit
kden branches, and the air was music
with bees gathering honey for his
ives. But, somehow, he was not hap
h. A neighbor rode past, and bowed
him coldly.
miserable fellow" said the farmer
his heart. 81 can't bear the sight of
km."
Another went by, and the farmer
krned his head so that no sign of recog-
ftion might pass between them. lie
hew this MAJ to be in trouble, and he
ever cared to have any thingto do with
ben in difficulties, they were apt to
kant help or ~favors, and to be offended
khen denied them.
Then the voice of a child cried to him
rom the road: Cant / have some
bples, Mr.. DrillPn
"No, you can't" the farmer.
on with you! | don't believe in beg.
lars"
The last sentence was spoken to him.
tlf, half in excuse and half in repent.
|nce for the sellishness and ~ill-naturc
e had betrayed.
Farmer Brill did not feel any more
Pmfortable after this. The frightened
Pok of the child, as he added Il threat.
bling gesture to his hard speech, re
hained with him, and he could not shut
from his eyes, turn them which way
Re would. Nor did he see them less
Estinctly when he shut his eyes an,
hing his chin upon his breast. jus
low long he had remained in this atti
hde the farmer could not say, whei
click from the latch on the gate caus
Il him to look up, and he saw Il littl,
toman in plain attire advancing up tn,
talk. She was a stranger, and We
here was something familiar about her
he freedom and p~lainness of speecl
Fith which she at once addressed hin
I'd not so much surprise as shame tn
krmer.
"It was not well of thee, friend Brill
deny with harsh words, the reques
a child. Thy trees are laden wit,
nit, and the ground is covered wit
y unused abundance. Thee Nigh
lave given the child one little apple.
The woman stood with her calm, nc
ynsing eyes fixed on the farmers face
IA1y seemed to penetrate his soul, an
btead his very thoughts,
"No, it was not well of thee, frien
Brill" she repeated.
Ia hate begging" answered tn
kaymer, rallying himself.
'That was not common begging
dthee knows it,, "replied the strange,
E"The child's father should have ha
1hit on his own trees. But he was to
de to plant them, and now his childre
BE- begging of his neighbors."
f'That is not his children's fault.
he poor little ones are hungry for a,
ples, and thee has more than thee ca
psc, why shall thee not be a bett,
ather in regard for them than he WI
B of their own flesh and bloodp WouI
pee not give thy WI children a
6esP"
"My own childrenP That is anoth,
Ding. l have taken care of my ON
bhildren."
3"The earth is the Lords and the fu'
Iness thereof, and all we are His CHI
ren," answered the little woma
He gives in charge TO some His bro'
rain fields and fruitful orchards, tn
Itbey may fill barns and storehouses, al
Ilay up food for the hungry and seed (
The sower, so that His people die not I
Hack of bread. Does thee think tn
Itby trees bear fruit and thy fields gi
their harvests for thee alonep II tn
does, thee has not understood the wa
IQf God with men,"
The farmer did not reply. He W
Dumb in the presence of the strange
dumb because of sudden conviction
end a new light breaking into his Be
that blinded and bewildered him.