The Weston Democrat. [volume] (Weston, W. Va.) 1875-current, 1877-03-17
The Elder and the Children.

The presiding elder of n certain dis
trict OF Kentucky, III other years, was u
New Enelnd mIn, named Hawkins. He
was n genial, social, easy going man,
making friends wherever lie went, and if
he did not display great erudition in his
sermonising, he Mt least preached with
spirit and with understanding. On Il
certain occasion the elder paid his first
visit to M outlying settlement of his
district, having been notified that while
there he would find quarters with Broth
er Buforl. Tie day was Just closing
when he arrived Mt the dwelling OF
Brother BrfOrI, and his host, expecting
him, waS on hand to receive and vel
come him, which was done right warmly.
His horse was given to the care Of a SER
want, antl will, his saddle bags upon his
arm, hc followed his guide into the
house, where lie was presented to Mrs.
Buforl, pleasant faced, smiling wo-
nlan, in the prime Of life, who welcomed
him in manner that made him feel ut
lo,nc ut once. She took his saddle bags,
and gavGlim n sent, md shortly, with
her husband, sat down for chat.
I The tlny was declining, and the night
creeping on, and Ms the candles Ind not
yet been lighted, the low studded room,
shaded by the broad roof Of the pillzza,
grew to I've quite gloomy rs the CONVERSE
ton progressed. They had talked Of
the weather, of the Ecrops, Of tho pro-
grcss Of civilization, and Of the spread Of
the Gospel, when door was opened,
letting ilI the grateful aroma of brOiling
chicken and gridtlle cakes, and also, civ.
ing ingress'to n bevy Of children-six Of
| them. The elder, Il little near sighted ut
best, in the gathering gloom could only
distinguish that the children were nil
young, part boys, and part girls. The
| foremost was hoy, who came boldly
forward, and whom the elder caught by
the urm. tJ - -
"Alla, my little one, what is your
name?'
Johnny BufSrl, SIR"
"a fine boy, I declare" !" And he
kissed the sturdy shaver upon the check.
lie knew such things were pleasing to
parents, and then he wls fond OF chill
tlren.
Tie ncxt was a girl,
"NUw, my little lady, what is your
ulmc ~ !ssI 'a0aJ lI'-7''' "5r.-=
"I'm Sissy B,iord, SIR" .
% And I hope you try to be good
little girl. And he gave her hearty
smack. ..,
And 30 lie went through with the lot.
Hc heard the host and the hostess litter,
and lie fNncicd tlnlt the good woman held
her handkerchief over her mouth, aultl
that tle clair i'll which Mr.. Buforl sat
shook us thoughts occupant halan aguo
lit. % - 20. = - ~
"a fine lot Of children, v declared tho
elder. "What treasures they nre liz II
household. All how I pity the man anti
wife who are condemned to live on. year
after year, without blessed children.
You must be proud of your family,
Brother B,tortl."
At this point Mrs. Bufora could cou.
tain herself no longer Thecomprcssetl
handkerchief wsso Of no aynil. She burst
int. hugh, long md hearty, ind her
husband upruariouSly followed suit.
The GllGr, was astounded. Whit could
It mcan9 \ ! ) 4 ) 5 D['
Just then two servants entered, ale to
bring lighted candles, and the other to
announce tint supper was ready.
'aLAlld then tho good elder saw. There
stood tile six chiltlren-bcautif,ll chill.
tlrcn!-thcir ebony faces cleaning
i'll the candlelight like SO many
Inccs OF spades little. woolly
headed babies, every one Mr.. and Mrs.
Bhforl hatl never bud children of their
own, and they Ind pette'l these Juvenile
ilarkeys until the ictty little rascals Ind
become us irrepressible on the premises
us so many favOritc cats anil dogs. 10
Mrs. Bnforl laughed agl.in when she
saw the elder vigorously wiping his
lips; but over the well filed supper
table the tide Of feeling was soon turned
tolorgctfUiness Of the llidierous tdWr lIas::