Middletown transcript., 1877-03-24
The elder and tho Children.

The presiding elder OF certain dis
trict of Kentucky, in other years, was
a New England man, named Hawkins.
He was a genial, social, easy going
man, making friends wherever he went,
and if he did not display great srudi-
tion in his sermonising, be at least
preached with spirit and with under
standing On certain occasion 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 receive and welcome him, which was
done right warmly. His horse was
given to the care of a servant, and with
his saddle-bags upon his arm, he fol-
lowed his guide into the house. where
lie was presented to Mrs. Buford, a
pleasant faced. smiling woman. in the
prime of life, who welcomed him in
manner that made him feel at home at
once She took his saddle-b 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 roof of the piazza,
grew to be quite gloomy as the conver-
sation progressed. They had talked Of
the weather, of the crops, of the pro-
gress of civilization, and of the spread
of the Gospel, when 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, a 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 a boy, who |
came boldly forward, and whom the
elder caught BY the arm.
"Aha, my little one, what is your
name? ?'
''Johnny Buford, sir"
ga fine boy, I declare" And he
kissed the sturdy shaver on the cheek.
He knew such things were pleasing to
parents, and then he was fond of chill.
dren.
The next was a girl.
"NOw, my little lady, what is your
name? ?"
"I'm Sissy Buford, sir"
"And hope you try to be a good
little girl" And he gave her hearty
smack
And so he went through the lot. He
heard the host and the 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
household. All how I pity the man
and wife. who are compelled to live on,
year after year, without blessed chill
dren. You must be proud of your fam
lily, Brother BufOrd."
AT this point Mrs. Buford could con-
tain herself no longer. The compressed
handkerchief was of no avail She
burst into laugh, long and hearty, and
her husband uproariously followed suit.
The elder was astounded. What could
i mean =?
Just then two servants entered, one /
10 bring lighted candles. aud the other
70 announce that supper was ready. /
And then the good elder saw. There .
ItOod the six children-bsautiful ulchil- =
lren their ebony faces cleaning in
he candlelight like SO many aces Of !
ipades little. wooley- headed babies, !
very ons Mr.. and Mrs. Buford had 4
lever had children of their own, and
hey had petted these Juvenile darkeys
lntil the jetty little rascals had become
IS irrepressible on the premises as SO
many favorite cats and dogs. ?
Mrs. Buford laughed again when she Il
aw the elder vigorously wiping his n
ips; but over the well filed supper ta- +
lie the tide Of feeling was soon turned $
0 forgetfulness of the ludicrous faur s
'as. +