Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1878-01-02
"That's Thee, Jem ~
A rRry STORY.

The "Prodigal," in the parable of our
Lord. was a type of class, unhappiy large
class, of men. How many individuals are OF
have been prodigals How many families
have to deplore son or other relative who
has been " sent into the fields to feed swine -
desire to communicate to my readers an
illustration of this in narrative which was
made known to me by one of the parties
concerned.
was some few weeks ago soionrning al
very beautiful and much frequented water.
ing-place. | met with an earnest Christian
tradesman of the town, whose labors in the
cause Of religion are many and great. Al
though his occupation was not in selling
books, yet he had, in prominent place in
his shop window an assortment If Bibles
with an illustrated card containing this an
nouncement "Luther's sword sold here 90
With one of these swords" that Christian
soldier, whom | shall call by the name of Mr.
Carr, fought and won the following battle {:
band or troupe of young men, witt
hands and faces blackened, and dressed il
very grotesque costumes, arranged them.
selves before this gentleman's door, one day.
for an exhibition of their peculiar "per.
formances." These people used to be called
" Ethiopian Serenaders." After they had
sung some comic and some plaintive melo-
dies, with their own peculiar accompan.
ments of gestures and grimaces. one of tn,
party, tall and interesting Young man
who had the look of one who was be.
meath his proper station, stepped up to the
door. tambourine in hand, to ask for a few
dropping pennies" of the people. Mr.
Carr taking one of the Bibles out of hi,
window. addressed the youth
See here, young man." he said, | will
give you shilling, and this book besides, il
yon will read a portion of it among voui
comrades there, and in the hearing of the
bystanders"
"H Here's a shilling for an easy iobl' he
chuckled out to his mates "I'm going t.
give you apubic readingr'
Mr.. Carr opened at the fifteenth chapter
OF St Lukes gospel, aud pointing to tn
eleventh verse, requested the young man to
commence reading at that verse.
Now, Jem. speak up" said one of the
party. "and earn your shilling like man !''
And .Jem took the Book and read, " And
he said, certain man had two sons and
the younger of them said to his father
Father, give me the portion of goods that
falleth to me. And he divided unto them
his living
There was something in the voice of the
reader, as well as in the strangeness of the
circumstances. that mlled all to silence
while an air of seriousness took possession
of the youth, and still further commanded
the rapt attention of the crowd.
He read on: And not MANY days after.
the younger son gathered all together. and
took his Journey into a far country. and
there wasted his substance with riotous
living"
That's thee. Jem " calculated one of hi.
comrades Its Just like what YOU told IN
Of Yourself and your father"
The reader continued "And when he had
spent all there arose "A mighty famine i,
that land, and he began to be- in want"
"Why, that $ Mee again. Jem," said tn,
voice 60 on"
"And he went and Joined himself 10 a
citizen of that country, aud he sent him int
his fl Ids to feed swine. And he would fan.
have filled his belly with the husks that tn,
swine did eat, and no man gave INTO him"
"That's like MS all" said the voice ono,
more nterrupting "we're all beppars ana
might be better than we are. Go on let,
hear what came of it,"
And the Young man read ON. and as he
read his voice trembled And when h,
came to himself he said How many hired
servants of nv fathers have bread enouqL
and TO spare, and ! perish with hunger.
will arise and 20 to nv father"
Ar This ro;rt ba f.;rI,, h,.oLa ,Jo,,,, 81
III ~ N""' anu