The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1883-07-18
The Strangers Mission.

"What has he gone Z" exclaimed Mrs.
Tucker, entering the breakfast room,
from the kitchen, bringing a small, deep
pan of hot water, and finding only Aunt
Sylvia, where but three minutes before
she had left trio.
He has just stepped out on the porch
with Mr.. Tucker" replied Aunt Sylvia,
proceeding to wash the soiled silver she
had gathered from the dismanted table, in
the pan of water her niece had placed on
the sideboard. "Of course, he will not go
without, at least, bidding us good morn
ing"
"He has, however," said Mrs. Tucker.
"See what long strides he is taking down.
hill toward the station. He cut short his
adieus to you, also, did he not, Mr..
Tucker ?" she said, as her husband en-
tered the room with broad smile over
spreading his rugged face.
"Well, must say he beats ALL" said
Mr.. Tucker, speaking slowly, and from
the open window watching out of sight
the retreating figure of his guest. Gan
entire stranger, bearing the same name
as my first wife, but no relation to her
whatever as 1 can make out, fastens him
self upon us for six meals and two nights
lodgings, breaks up day and half for
me, drives my horse ten miles or more,
routs us up at four o'clock of summer
morning to get him hot breakfast, that
he may take an early train, and goes off
without as much as saying, Thank you,
SIR or, Il am obliged to you,' or, Give
me call should you ever come my way"
al hope he will enjoy the lunch put up
for him." said Aunt Sylvia, joining in the
laugh, and Mrs. Tucker ADDED:
81 wonder how long it will take to get
the smell of tobacco smoke out of the sit
ting-room. The idea of his filling his
pipe lighting it, and putting away after /
had limited to him that tobacco was often
sive to me-"
He was dressed like a gentleman"
said Mr.. Tucker, "but for all that, /
should class him as full grown pig"
He seemed to be possessed of average
intelligence" said Aunt Sylvia, as she
began to wash the coffee cups, "and l
suppose he has treated us quite as we'll
as he treats another. He has lived on
this beautiful earth nearly fifty years, been
fed, and clothed, and sheltered, and &C.
cording to his own story, has pever recog-
nized the Lords kindness in any way.
If the Lord does not resent his want of
appreciation, l suppose we ought not to
do So"
Mr.. Tucker said nothing, as he went
out about his daily work as farmer.
This Aunt Sylvia of his wife's was
for the unconverted always at her tongues
end, " but she never NEEDLES with me-"
the sturdy farmer was wont to say.
The perfect freshness and beauty Of
the June morning appealed to his heart
in an unwonted manner. He was true
lover of nature, and all the rural charms
of verdure, and foliage, and witching
scenery about this, his ancestral home,
were part of his life, yet it seemed to
him that he had never breathed in the
marvellous fullness and perfection of the
June bounteousness as on this morning
when the ascending sun cast over the
dew-laden windrow its own peculiar rose
tint.
81 am fify.fve," said the farmer to
himself, " for half century have stood
on this hilltop at all seasons, and at all
times enjoyed my surroundings. l have
had good health, an abundance of this
worlds goods, and but few sorrows. The
Lord has been very good to me, but l
have never fully appreciated it, and have
never expressed myself to the All-Giver
as being thankful. Oh what wretch |
have been p
For week Mr.. Tucker turned this
matter over and over in his mind. One
thought made way for another. He
no sooner tried to find an excuse for one
shortcoming, than a worse one came to
take its place.
81 don't know what ais Mr.. Tucker
said his wife, "he neither eats nor sleeps
he takes no interest in anything you or
say or do, he don't even read the daily
paper"
81 have noticed it," said Aunt Sylvia
} ellis work don't seem to be getting on
either, and there is good reason why
he Just wanders around the farm without
staying long enough in one place to &C
complish anything, and he stands for 6
half hour at time looking off into the
| distance in one direction or another, as il
he was taking in all the features of view
quite new to him. 1t is not like Mr.
Tucker at ALL"
81 can't understand it," said Mrs. Tuck
or. "He may be bilious. will go right
away and make him spring syrup"
The next morning small glass of thu
decoction was handed him by his anxious
wife, as he stood in the dining-room door
way, looking pale and worn, gazing fal
off upon the distant hills.
| He shook his head and said with al
apparent effort
"No wonder you are anxious about me
L am anxious about myself, but the rem
edy is not thoroughwort or yellow dock
Aunt Sylvia, how does person atone TO
. fifty years of willful neglect of Gods good
, ness 7"
$50 that is it exclaimed the goo,
woman. the Lord be praised. TIL
stranger had mission here after all. |
q was to show Abraham Tucker to Abra
ham Tucker. Let us take your query +
the Lord
+ The change was not an instantaneou
a one, but it came at last after real repent
, ance and much prayers, and it brought
marvellous joy and peace.
r Mr.. Tucker tries to make his presen
q daily life atone for years of neglect, bu
/ he charges all his young friends to star
h early in the right way, that they may Ell
! Joy the fulness of life which only comes
i those who love and serve the Lord.-Mrl
q Annie A. Preston, in Christian al Work.
D >-~----