Smyrna times., 1877-09-26


But, really, don't see, Jane, how VIC
can turn him out of doors. He doesn't
look like very strong man, and its darl,
and stormy and full three miles to D.
It's too much. He ought to have gone
on while he had daylight, and not fingered
here as he did till it got dark"
We can't turn him out of doors. Jane
and it's no use to think of it. He'll have
to stay, somehow"
But what can we do with him ?"
lie seems like decent man, at least
and does not look as if he had anything
bad about him. We might mako him a
BED on the floor, somewhere in the house.
wish he had been in Guinea before he
came here, said Mrs. W., fretfuly.
The disappointment the conviction that
Mr.. n. would not arrive occasoned her to
feel, and the intrusion of so unwelcome a
visitor as the stranger, completely unhinged
her mind.
ooh, WE'LL" replied her husband, in a
soothing voice, "never mind We must
make the best of it. He came to us tired
and hungry, and we warmed and fed him.
lie now asks shelter for the night, and we
must not refuse him, nor grant his request
IN complaining or reluctant spirit. You
know what the Bible says about entertain
ing angels unawares."
'Angels! Did you ever see an angel
look like him ?"
Having never seen an angel" said the
farmer, smiling, " | am unable to speak as
to their appearance.
This had the effect to call an answering
smile to Mrs. WIS face and a better feel.
ing to her heart. 1t was finally agreed
between them that the man, as he seemed
like decent kind of person, should be
permitted to occupy the minister's room,
II that individual did not arrive, and event
to which they both looked with but small
expectancy. If he did come, why the man
would have to put up with poorer accom-.
modatiOns.
When Mr. w. returned to the kitchen,
where the stranger had seated himself be.
fore the fire, he informed him that they
had decided to let him stay all night. The
man expressed in a few words a grateful
sense OF their kindness, and then became
silent and thoughtful.
Soon after, the farmers wife, giving up
all hope of Mr.. Ms arrival had supper
taken up-which consisted of coffee, warm
shortcake and broiled chickens. After all
was on the table, a short conference was
held as to whether it would do to invite
the stranger to take supper. 1t was true
they had given him as much bread and
bacon as he could eat, but then rs long as
he was going to stay all night, it looked
too lnhospltable to sit down to the table
and not ask him to Join them. So, making
a virtue of necessity, he was kindly asked
to come to supper-an invitation he did
not decline. Grace was said over the meal
by Mr.. W., the coffee poured out, the bread
helped and the milk served.
There was fine little boy, six years old.
al the table, who had been frightened up
ana dressed In his best order to grace the
minister's reception. Charles was full of
talk, and the parents felt a mutual pride in
showing him OFT, even before their humblest
guest, who noticed him particularly, though
he had not much to say.
Come, Charley" said Mr.. W., after the
meal was over, and he sat leaning back in
his chair, "can't you repeat the pretty
hymn that mamma learned YOU last SIM.
day ?"
Charley started off without any further
invitation, and repeated very accurately
two or three verses Of new camp-meetinr
hymn, that was just at that time very
popular.
Now let us hear you say the command.
ments, spoke up the mother, we'll pleased
at her child's performance.
And Charley repeated them with the aid
OF little prompting.
How many commandments are there"
asked the father.
The child hesitated, and then looking
up at the stranger, near whom he sat, said
How many are there"
The man thought for some moments.
and said, as if in doubt
Eleven are there not ?"
Eleven ~ calculated Mrs. w. in un.
feigned surprise.
ElevenG' said her husband, with more
rebuke than astonishment in his voice.
g Is it possible, sir, that you don't know
how many Commandments there are? How
many are there, Charley2 Come, tell me.
you know, of course"
" Ten," replied the child.
Right, my son." returned Mr.. W.,
looking with smile of approval on the
child. Right. There isn't child of his
age in ten miles who can't tell you there
are ten commandments. Did you ever
read the Bible, sir?"
When was little boy, used to read
it sometimes. But | am sure | thought
there were eleven commandments. Are
you not mistaken about there being only
ten ?" O'
Sister w. lifted up her hands in un.
telgned astoishment, and exclaimed
" Could any one believe it? Such ipnor.
ance of the Bible I"
Mr. w. did not reply, but rose, and
going to one corner of the room, where the
good book lay upon the small stand, he nut
1T on the table before him, and opened it
at that portion in which the command.
ments are recorded.
There" he said, placing his finger upon
the proof of the strangers error. "There
look for yourself"
The stranger came round from his side
of the table and looked over Mr.. WIS
shoulder.
"There; dye see2"
Yes, it does say ten" replied the man.
g and yet it seems to me there are eleven.
I'm sure always thought So"
doesn't it say ten ?" inquired Mr.. w.
with marked impatience in his voice,
1t does, certainly"
Well, what more do you wantl Can't
you believe the Bible ?"
30, yes, l believe the Bible; and vet.
it strikes me somehow that there must be
eleven commandments. Hasn't one been
added somewhere else?
Now this was too much for the hrotbar