The Grange advance. [volume] (Red Wing, Minn.) 1873-1877, 1877-05-09
The Elder and the Children.

The presiding elder OF Il certain dis
trict Of Kentucky, in other years, was a
New England man, named Hawkins. he
was genial, social, easy going man,
making friends wherever he went, and IT
he did not display great erudition in his
scrmonising, he ut least preached with
spirit and with understanding. On
certain occasion the elder paid his tirst
visit to an outlaying settlement OF his
district, having been notified that while
there he would find quarters with broth
er Buford. The day was just closing
when he arrived at the dwelling Of
borther Bufortl, and his host, expecting
him, was on hand to receive and well
come him, which was done right warmly.
His horse was given to the care of a ser
want, 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 wom-
an, in tho prime of life, who welcomed
him in - manner that made him feel at
home ut once. She took his saddlc-bags,
and gave him a seat, and shortly, with
her husband, sat down for a chat.
The day was declining, and the night
creeping on, and rs the candles had not
yet been lighted, the low studded room,
shaded by the broad roof Of the plaza,
grew to be quite gloomy as the converse
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 chickens
and griddled cakes, and also, giving in
gress to a bevy OF children-six OF them.
The elder, a little near sighted at best, in
the gathering gloom could only distin-
guish that the children were all young,
part boys, and part girls. The foremost
was boy, who came boldly forward, and
whom the elder caught by the arm.
AHA, my little one, what is your
name2"
Johnny Buford, SIR
"A fine boy, I declare!' and he kissed
the sturdy shaver upon the cheek. He
knew such things were pleasing to pa
rents, and then he was fond OF children.
The next was a girl.
Now, my little lady, what is your
name?'
I'm Sissy Buford, sir
And l hope you try to be a good little
girl" And he gave her hearty smack.
And so he went through with 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 MI Buford sat
shook as though its occupant had an ague
tit.
"A fine lot of children" declared the
elder. "What treasures they are in Il
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, brother
Buford."
At this point Mrs Buford could con-
tain herself no longer. The compressed
handkerchief Of no avail She burst
into laugh, long and hearty, and her
husband uproariously followed suit.
The elder was astounded. What could
it mean?
Just then two servants entered, one tc
bring lighted candles, and the other tc
announce that supper was ready.
And then the good elder saw. There
stood the six children-beautiful children
their ebony faces cleaning in the can,
delight like so many aces Of spaeds
tie wooly-headed babies, every one! Mr.
and Mrs. Buford had never had children
Of their own, and they had petted these
juvenile darkeys until the jetty little ras.
Gals had become as irrepressible on the
premises IS so many favorite cats and
dogs.
Mrs. Buford laughed again when she
saw the elder vigorously wiping his lips
but over the we'll filled supper table the
tide of feeling soon turned to forgetful
ness of the ludicrous faur pas.