Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1878-04-24

his parents received the letter announcing
his departure.
Old John Warden was deeply grievcd
but he bowed his head and said:
Gods will be DONE"
And Mary Warden said amen"
Sixteen months later a letter reached
them stating that he had been wrecked and,
with the exception of the cabin boy, was
the only survivor of the ships crew. The
letter contained the additional information
that he had been wrecked on barren
coast, and would undoubtedly have perish
ed but for seeing light toward which he
crawled, and found it to issue from a small
cottage in which dwelt Scotch mission
ary with his family. 1t WAS the last
night of the year." the letter went on,
and the missionarys wife informed
me that of all nights that was a sacred
one to her, for on that night her father and
brother were saved from drowning by a
family near Peterhead, in Scotland, who,
were holding family worship at midnight,
praying the old year out and singing the
new year in, and who heard the cries of
her father and brothers, and went to their
rescue. On every Old Years Day this
pious woman throws open her doors to all
comers, and all night light burns in her
window to direct the weary steps of the
way farer to her hospitable home"
When John Warden read that letter to
his wife they both knelt down and thanked
God that He had spared their son. When
John Warden arose he did what he he had
never done in his life before; he swore an
OATH one of those oaths which the messen-
ger who carries it gives in with a blush to
.bn ,ao<rli inc oal opI which ia hlnttnI
out with the tear of feeling.
from his knees, if ever II poor man or
woman passes my door on New Years
Day, or any other day for that matter,
without being succored, without having a
dollar in their pockets 10 help them on
their road, may be-yes, Mary, I'll say
it, may be- and gentle John Warden
looked exceedingly fierce, albeit his lip
quivered and his eyes glistened.
"Oh, John, John!' said Mary Warden,
weeping and smiling too, to see her hus-
band in this new role. :" don't swear"
"Swear!" cried John, Mary, from this
day out, this house is Hospitality Hall.
So that is the way Hospitality Hall got
its name.
CHAPTER II.
For six years, every old years day,
John Warden has stood mt his cottage gate
and invited every wayfarer he saw pass
into his hospitable home to partake Of his
good cheer. But times have gone very
hard with gentle John Warden. He has
sustained many losses and has been oblig
ed to mortgage his farm and his homestead
to meet them. lie has not heard from his
son for more than four years, an! has
given him up as dead. This is why old
John Warden hair is so white and
wrinkles have crept into the mothers face
and brow. Why is it that the noblest and
best of Gods people are sometimes so
heavily afflicted? But John Warden is a
brave rs well as a benevolent man. He
knows that his house will be sold over his
head tomorrow, according TO the terms OF
mortgage, if he cannot meet the notes
which he has given but, true to his oath,
he keeps open house this afternoon, the
last afternoon of the old year. To day he
cannot entertain as he entertained last
year. He has neither turkey nor goose to
set before his guests but he has II bowl of
OK tail sonp for all who call, and n warm
welcome, too, which in itself is something.
1t is three o'clock in the afternoon, and,
contrary to the custom, nobody has called.
John Warden has been several times to
the gate, and looked along the road on
both sides of the house. He cannot see
far, for the thin. sand-like snow is drifting
heavily, but not Il soul thus far has he
seen.
He is now seated near the stove with the
Bible on his knee, and is about to read
aloud to his wife.
"What shall read Mnry?' he asks.
Read psalm" says Julia. who is
seated at the window, knitting and watch
ing the road.
So John Warden read the goth Psalm
that wonderful composition entitled a
prayer of Moses, and, in the grandeur and
magnificence of language, fully worthy of
the man of God.
lord thou hast been our dwelling
place in all generations"
What a magnificent introduction!
The deep, rich, tender tones OF John
Wardcn's voice thrilled his listeners, and
when he came to the verse, 80 satisfy US
early with thy mercy. that we may be glad
and rejoice all our day." Mary Warden
responded fervently, He will He will"
Just then Julia said, &" Here is stran-
ger"
John Warden met him at the door. lie
was poor old tramp, mserably clad and
nearly shoeless, but he received rs warm
welcome AS if he had been millionaire,
After he had been seated ut the fire Julia
produced pair of woolen stockings and
John Warden brought pair of shoes, and
the tramp put then. on.
Now" said he. as he fastened the last
| Ts,.I IL Al.
"And He will bless this house." he add
ed after pause. The Lord S eyes amt
blind to what's going on here"
| Soon it grew dark and one of the upper
rooms of the house was lighted up. and a
transparency placed in the window bearing
the invitation Come in; Welcome.
After dark there WAS another ARRIVAL
sailor going to spend the holidays at his
home, who had missed the stage and was
so anxious to be with those he loved, that
he resolved to foot it through the storm.
That was what he said after being seat
ed
Pleasant moorings here" he observed,
looking around.
John Warden sighed, and tear glisten-
ed in Wary Warden's eye.
lis this what you call your permanent
anchorage" the sailor asked.
1t has been my home during my life,"
said John Warden, but expect that it
will be mine no longer. My home and
farm are mortgaged to their full value, or
nearly so, and have received notice that,
pursuant to the terms, the mortgage will
be foreclosed tomorrow
Hard linesw said the sailor. May
hap you've seen messmate of mine pass
this way to-day?n he added.
No; no one has passed our bouse to.
day." said John Warden.
"Then I'll bet bucket of rum against
IA keg of tar that this is him now," said the
sailor, as the bell rang.
Julia ushered in man well wrapped up
against the storm. A scarf was tied
around his neck, which almost hid his
face, and his broad brmmed bat was
slouched down over his brows. He was
evidently Il sailor too. and was greeted by
the other rs messmate.
lie took II seat in the shadow, after
thankfully declining II bowl of soup.
AS we are all strangers to each other"
said John Warden, "perhaps it MIGHT