Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1878-12-29
THE UNKNOWN GUEST.

Ring in the Christ tnat is to be.
THE UNKNOWN GUEST.
One pleasant evening in the month OF
June, in the year IL, man was OBJ
served entering the borders Of wood,
near the Hudson river, his appearance
that of a person above the common rank.
fhe inhabitants Of a country village
would have dignitied him with the title
Of esquire" and from his manners pro-
nounced him proud but those more &C
customed to society, would inform you,
that there WIS something like military
AR about him. His horse panied as If it
bad been hard pushed for some miles;
yet, from frequent stops to caress the
patient animal, he could not be charged
with want Of humanity. The rider for
saking good road for a bye-path lead
ing through the woods, Indicated a desire
to avoid the gaze Of other travellers. He
had not lett the house where be inquired
the direction ofthe above mentionee; path,
before the quietude of the place was
broken by the noise Of distant thunder.
He was soon afeer obliged to dismount,
travelling becoming dangerous as dark
ness concealed surrounding objects, ex-
cept when the lighting flash afforded him
momcntory view of his situation. A
peal louder and of longer duration than
any Of the preceding, which now burst
over his head, seeming as if it would rend
the woods asunder, was quickly followed
by heavy fall Of rain that penetrated
the clothes of the stranger ere he could
obtain the shelter Of q large oak which
stood at a little distance.
Almost exhausted with the labors Of
the day, he was about making such dis
position Of the saddle and his overcoat, as
would enable him to pass the ght with
what comfort circumstances would admit
when he espied a light glimmering
through the trees. Animated with the
hope Of better lodgings, he determined to
proceed. The Way, which was steep, be-
came attended with more obstacles the
further he advanced, the. soil being com
posed OF clay, which the rain had render
ed soft so that his feet slipped; at every
step. By the almost perseverance, this
difficulty was finally overcome without
any accident, and he had the pleasure Of
finding himself in front Of a dt cent-look-
ing farmhouse. The atch-dog began
barking, which brought the owner of the
mansion to the door.
'.Who is theres' said he.
ga friend who has lost his way, ana in
search OF a place OF shelter was the
answeI-
Come in, sir added the speaker, "and
whatever my house will afford, you shall
have with welcome"
II must provide for the weary compan-
ion Of my Journey" remarked the other.
But t. e farmer undertook the task, and
after conducting the new conner into 8
room where his wife was seated, he led
the horse to a well-stored barn, and
there provided for him most bountifully
On rejoiniDg the traveller, ne observed,
THAT is a noble animal Of yours, SIR"
yes was the reply, ''and am sorry
that was ob iged to misuse him SO as to
make it necessary to give you so much
trouble with the care of MIN; but have
to thank you for your kindness to both OF
u.s."
81 did no more than my duty, SIR
said the entertainer, land therefore am
entitled 10 no thanks. But Susan" added
ne, turning to the hostess, with half re-
prOachful look, why have you not given
the gentleman something to eat!'
Fear had prevented the good woman
from exercising g well-known benevo-
lence; for q robbery had been committed
by lawless band of depredators, but a
ttw weeks before, in that neighborhood,
and a report stated that they were all
well dressed, her imagination suggested
that this man might be one Of them.
At her husbands remonstrance, she
now readily engaged in repairing the er-
ror, by preparing splendid repast.
During the meal there was much inter
esting conversation among the three. AS
soon as the worthy countryman perceived
| that his guest had satisfied his appetite,
he informed him that it was now the hour
at which the family usually performed
their devotions, inviting him at the same
| time to be present. The invitation was
accepted In these words:
sit would afford me the greatest pleas
ure to commune with nay Heavenly Pre-
sewer, after the events of tue day; such
exercises prepare us for the Iepose which
we seek in sleep"
The host now reached the Bible from
the shelf, and after reading chapter and
singing, concluded the whole with a fer
vent prayer; then, lighting pine knot,
conducted the person he had entertained
to his chamber, wishing him good
| NIGHTS rest, and retired to an adjoining
apartment.
''Johp,' whispered the woman, ''that is
a good gentleman, and not one of the
hlghwaymen, as l Supposed
Eyes, Susan" said he, 81 like him bet.
ter for thinking Of his God, than all his
kind inquiries after our welfare. I wish
our Peter had been home from the army
If IL vas only to hear this good man talk.
[ am sure Washington himself could moi
say more for his country, nor give bet
Ter history of the hardshlps endured by
| our brave soldiers"
WHO knows now" inquired the wife
"but it may be himself after all, my d .ar
for they do say he travels just so all alone
sometimes. Hark! what's thats''
The sound ola voice came from the
chamber of their guest, who was now en-
gagged III his private religious worship
Alter thanking the Creator for his many
mercies, and asking blessing on the in.
habitants Of the house, he continued