American citizen. [volume] (Canton, Miss.) 1864-1890, 1876-08-05
A NEW PLEASURE,

BY T. s. ARTHUR.

my, INDUSTRIOUS man, anu now, in h
later years, he was enjoying the fruit {
his well directed toll but not in the lare
measure that might have been his if
had known howto get the most from hi
possessions. The farmer had worke
narrowly all his life, and now he wa
trying TO enjoy himself narrowly, sti
hoping to find pleasure in receiving in
stead of giving. He did feel less kindl
toward his neighbors than he shout,
have felt, for he had never been s.
kind and helpful toward them as h
should have been, and the consequence
was that a great deal of GOODNESS an,
ill-will lay between him and some 0
these neighbors. The origin of thi
ill-will could be traced, in most in
stances, to some denial of a service O.
favor asked in bygone time, FarmeI
Brill was a staunch believer In the doc
trine of self-help; he asked no fayors
and gave none. except with bad grace
And yet, hidden away down in his hear
and covered over by selfishness and tn,
love ofgain. was an element of kindnes.
that often stirred his nature, and tried
to ASSERT itself in action.
The farmer sat in his shady porch one
lovely autumn day, trying to enjoy him
self. His fields had been reaped, anC
his barns held the treasures of COLDER
grain which the generous earth had
given him. All around him bent fruit.
laden branches, and the air was music
al with bees gathering honey for his
hives But, somehow, he was not hap
Ply. A ne:ghbor rode past, and bowed
to him coldly.
Miserable fellow!" said the farmer
in his heart. "I can't bear the sight OF
him."
Another went by, and the farmer
turned his head so that no sign of recog-
milton might pass between them. He
knew this man to be in trouble, and he
never cared to have any thing to do with
men in difficulties, they were apt to
want help or favors, and to be offended
when denied them.
Then the voice of a child cried to him
from the road: "Can't 1 have some
apples, Mr.. Drill?r'
''No, you can't!" growled the farmer.
60 Off with you! I don't believe in beg
CARS"
The last sentence was spoken to him
self, half IN excuse and half in repent
ance for the selishness and ill-nature
he had betrayed.
Farmer Brill did not feel any more
comfortable after this. The frightened
look of the child, as he added a threat
ening gesture to his hard speech, re-
manned with him, and he could not shut
it from his eyes, turn them which way
he would. Nor did he see them less
distinctly when he shut his eyes and
hung his chin upon his breast. just
how long he had remained in this atti-
tude the farmer could not say. when
a click from the latch on the gate caus-
ed him to look up, and he saw a little
woman in plain attire advancing up the
walk. She was stranger, and vet
there was something familiar about her.
The freedom and plainness of speech
with which she at once addressed him
did not so much surprise as shame the
farmer.
1T was not well of thee, friend Brill,
to deny with harsh words, the request
OF q 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. -
The 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,i was not well of thee, friend
Brill, /" she repeated.
81 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.n
ssThat is not his children's fault. If
the poor little ones are hungry for APP
pies, and thee has more than thee can
use, why shall thee not be a better
father in regard for them than he who
Is of their own flesh and blooda Would
thee not give thy own children ap-
plesP'
MY own children? That is another
thing. have taken care of my own
children"
"The earth is the Lords and the full
ness thereof, and all we are 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 trees bear fruit and thy fields give
their harvests for thee alonep If 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 myself and for thy own until now, I"
said his visitor, "but there is truer
and a better life before thee. Thee
must grow broader and more generous.
Thee must become q giyer instead Of