The Manchester journal. [volume] (Manchester, Vt.) 1861-current, 1880-08-12


On enc 81 tbs co.'s lay docs Granny
Her poor cid whhered hes brishieBed ul
At slghi Of Der boy. and she pat oa,
trembling haud 70 greet bin.
Come 70 read 10 Granny Sgsiai sht
asked eagerly, bat Joe, who was aWk
wArd'y trying 10 present Mrs, Packer
ignored gbe question,
WHIST 3ors be read to youi inquired
Mrs Packer, kindly
The RIble, answered ,he old woman
reyorently lonehing The book which lsl
beside her on the bed NV eyes are bet
ter than some, ard ! could ress Il for my
self II could only bold it; bet it's too
heavy FOR nv poor old hands. Joe does
pretty wei tana she palled bis arm en-
eouragiugly, while he entered the bali
iuaudible protest; Oil no, Granny,
stumbles a,cfM over the big words y bul
all tbs poor creatures haven't got 80 good
lSgrsndson 10 read 10 them, and some oi
them are so deaf they couldn't hear n you
should shout ever 80 loud But then
It's n1crey--'hey are Just the ones with
the best eyes. Bat the trouble Is mostly
with our hands; lt's ambzin how many oi
US poer creatures have rheumatism aud
palsy, and such; and Bibles with large
enough pfint for our old eyes are foo
heSvy for our poor hands. Bpt the Lord
always does manage somehow, 20 maybe
ipn all come right. Joe's been tellin' me
about the great, splendid Bibles they have
where he works; all in pieces Ike. Seems
to me II only had Matthew now, and the
PSalms, wouldn't have anything more
to ask for in this world.
Yes, aud II louly bad Isaiah, interrupt.
ed a quayering voice from the next cot,
whose occupant had been an intereUed
listener to Granny Fry's remarks. But
they're dear, dear, Joe says; not for
poor creatures like us Them has em as
don't prize 'em and ! haiDt read word
for nigh two weeks,
Didn'tI tell your whispered Joe behind
bis grimmy hand.
You poor dearsi said Mrs. Packer, a
great lump filling her throat ill she could
hardly speak haven't bad Matthew
yet, but have Isaiah and the Psalms,
and you shall have them before am an
hour older. Come, Joe; quick.
Joe needed no second bidding, and be.
fore Granny Fry could recover from her
surprise they were out Of the room and
fastening homeward, as il their lives de.
pended upon their speed. DO you think
we can carry them all, Joe? Mrs. Packer
said as they entered her little psror,
which looked so homelike and cosy after
the great bare room they bad left. Do
you think there will be enough for all?
Why didn't you bring me more.
Dear me, ma'am, said Joe, but respect
fully, how you do change. A little while
ago you was cryin' because there was so
many Of 'em.
Yes; but that was before knew, said
Mrs. Packer, remorsefully.-
While sbe was speaking che had been
hastily tying up the numbers into two
packages, one OF which she essayed to
take herself, but Joe eutreated she would
give 1t TO him.
Why, ma'am, ! could carry twice as
many If twas to give Granny pleasure
he exclaimed. His homely face was fair
ly transformed by the devotion that shone
there; and as Mrs. Packer looked at him
she said softly, You poor, dear Joe and
called You stupid but one does not al.
ways need wings to be an angel of mercy.
In almost less time than ii takes to tell
1t, they were back at Granny Fry's bed
side, where Joe painting but jubliant,
opened the packages.
Yes, Joe, said Mrs. Packer, reading the
uuspoken request in The boys eyes, goa
give Granny the Psalms.
Joe'a face wus fairly radiant as, after
rubbing bis hands on bis course trousers
till they must have ached, carefully took
the precious book and laid 1t before the
olc lady. Eagerly, hungrily, she opened
II, aud fastened her eyes on the loving,
grscieuG word, forgetting the giver in the
gift. But Mrs. Packer needed no thanks,
as she went from cot 10 chair, giving each
occupant one OF the sacred books. The
look of wrapt delight hat dawned on
esch wilhered face when like ray OF
divine sunlight 20 her soflened heart and
In the moment OF feeling how precious
her Bible was TO her, with new tender
mes she resigned 1t to those whose quick
fading lives II would so brighten.
That night, sitting on low bsssock
beside her husband, bcr head resting on
his knee, her bright eyes looking thooght.
fully into the FIRE, she told him what she
had done.
couldn't help II, Jo'n dear, abe said
When bad what those poor souls so
longed for-whst bad not prized--I felt
that ought 10 give 1t up: ! wasn't wor.
thy Of Il. DO you miDdS
Bleas your dear heart, said John, stoop-
Ing TO lift up the sweet, troubled face, aud
giving It's great, earnest, proud kiss, YOU
did exactly right; you always do. I'll
just hurry up that blessed agent to.mor-
row. The poor creatures shall have all
the Bible-ips only giylug ihe Lord his
own again. And you shall choose one for
yourself, dear
No, John; not yet yet, interrupted Mrs.
Packer. I've got ever the longing for q
show Bible, aud I've my own precious
little one. But there's someihing--Joe-
OH yea, said Mr.. Packer, briskly. ]