The daily gazette., 1876-11-10
The Elder and his Children.

The presiding elder Ofa certain district
of Kentuckey, in other years, was New
England man named Hawkins. He was
genial, social, easy-going man, making
friends wherever he kwent, and If he did
not display great erudition in his sermon
ising, he at least preached with spirit and
with understanding. On a certain occa-
sion the elder paid his first visit to an
outlying settlement of his district, having
been notified that while there he would
find quarters with Brother Buford. The
day was just closing when he arrived at
the dwelling of Brother Buford and his
host, expecting him, was on hand to re-
ceive and welcome him, which was done
right warmly. His horse was given to
the care of servant, and with his saddle
bags upon his arm, he followed his guide
into the house, where he was presented
to Mrs. Buford, pleasant-faced, smiling
woman, in the prime of life, who well
coined him in a manner that made him
feel at home at once. She took his saddle
bags and gave him seat, and shortly,
with her husband, sat down for chat.
The day was declining and the night
creeping on, and as the candles had not
yet been lighted, the low-studded room,
shaded by the broad room of the piazza,
grew to be quite gloomy as the conversa-
ton progressed. They had talked of the
weather, of the crops, of the progress of
civilization, and of the spread of the Cos
pei, when a door was opened, letting in
the grateful aroma, of broiling chicken
and griddle-cakes, and also giving ingress
to bevy Of children-six Of them. The
Elder, little near-sighted at best, in the
gathering gloom could only distinguish
that the children were all young, part
boys and part girls. The foremost was
boy, who came boldly foreward, and
whom the Elder caught by the arm.
AHA, my little one, what isyour name?
"Johnny Bulford, SIR"
"a fine boy, declared" And he kissed
the sturdy shaver upon the cheek. He
knew such things were pleasing to parents
and then he was fond of children.
The next was girl.
"Now, my little lady, what is your
name?"
'G'm Sissy Buford, SIR"
Sand l hope you try to be good little
girl" And he gave her hearty smack.
And so he went through with the lot.
He heard the host and hostess litter, and
he fancied that the good woman held her
handkerchief over her mouth, and that
the chair in which Mr.. Buford sat shook
as though its occupant had an ague fit.
ga fine lot of children" declared the
Elder. "What treasures they are in a
household. All! how pity the man and
wife who are condemned to live on, year
after year, without blessed children.
You must be proud of your family, Bro
ther Buford."
At this point Mrs. Buford could contain
herselfs no longer. The compressed hand
kerchief was of no avail. She burst into.
laugh, long and hearty, and her hus-
band uproariously followtled suit.
The Elder was astounded. What could
it mean?
Just then two servants entered, one to
bring lighted candles, ,and the other to an
nounce that supper wa ready.
And then the good Elder saw. There
stood the six children-beautiful children
their ebon faces gleamingin the candle
light like so many aces of spades!-little,
wooley-headed nigs, every one! Mr.. and
Mrs. Buford had never had children
their own, and they had petted these ju-
venile darkeys until the jetty young ras-
calls had become as irrepressible on the
premises as SO many favorite cats and
dogs.
Mrs. Buford laughed again when she
saw the Elder vigorously wiping his lips
but over the well-filled supper-table the
tide Of feeling was soon turned to forget
fulneSs of the ludicrous four mas