The Elk County advocate. [volume] (Ridgway, Pa.) 1868-1883, 1877-03-15
The Elder and the 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 erudition in his
sermonising, he at least preached with
spirit and with understanding. On q
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 Broth
Ell Buford. The day was just closing
when he arrived at the dwelling of
Brother Buford, ond 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 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 wo-
man, in the prime of life, who welcomed
him in manner that made him feel at
home at once. She took his saddle bags,
and gave him a 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 converse
ton 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, Civ
ing 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
forward, and whom the elder caught by
the arm.
"Aha, my little one, what is your
name ?"
Johnny Buford, sir.
GA fine boy, L declare - And he
kissed the sturdy shaver upon the cheek.
He knew such things were pleasing to
parents. and then he was fond of chill
dren.
The next was girl
o "Now, my little lady, what is your
name ?'
"I'm Sissy Buford, sir.
And / hope you try to be n good
little girl" And he gave her a 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 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 I 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 B,lford."
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.
J The elder was astounded. What could
it mean?
just then two servants entered, one to
bring lighted candles, and the other to
| announce-that supper was ready.
And then the good elder saw There
stood the six children-beautiful chill
dren!-their ebony faces cleaning
in the candlelight like so many
aces of spades - little, woolly
headed babies, every one Mr.. and Mrs.
Buford had never had children of their
own, and they had petted these juvenile
darkeys until the ietty little rascals 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 filed supper
table the tide of feeling was soon turned
toforgetfulness of the ludicrous taur pas.