The Jackson standard. [volume] (Jackson C.H., Ohio) 1847-1888, 1883-03-08

IL ne were SOOu HAL, lie WOulu
not be nearly unclothed like that; he
has not even got shirt to his back.
Had you gone for something good,
you would tell me now where you
picked up such dandy"
But am telling you; on my way
| saw this man almost unclothed, and
half frozen to death at the chapel. It
is not summer now, to be almost
naked. 1t was God who threw me in
his way, or else he would have per-
ished. But what was to be done? l
therefore took him along with me,
clothed him, and brought him hither
Everything may happen. Calm your
self. It's sinful. Metrona, to carry on
like this. We must die some day"
Matrona wanted to have it out with
her husband, but she cast look on
the stranger and kept silence. He
was sitting quite still on the edge of
the bench His hands were folded on
his knees, and his head was sunk on
his breast. He was frowning, as if
being strangled by something. Mat
roma became silent. Simon excaim-
ed
"Matrona, have you no God in you?"
On hearing these words she gave
another look at the stranger, and sud
denly her heart melted. She moved
away from the door, went up to the
corner of the stove, and served supper.
She placed bowl on the table. poured
out krass, took out the last bit of
bread. and gave a knife and spoons.
Sup bit. she said.
Simon moved the stranger.
"Swallow a few poonfuls, my lad"
she said.
Simon cut up the bread, crumbled
it, and began to sup. And Matrona
sat at the corner Of the table. propped
herself up with her hand, and looked
on the stranger.
Matrona began to feel pity for him.
and to feel quite fond of him. And
the stranger suddenly frightened up,
left off frowning, lifted up his eyes to
Matrona, and smiled.
When they had supped, Matrona.
cleared the table and began to ques-
tion the stranger.
"Where do you come from?"
I'm not from these parts"
"And how came you on the road? ?"
81 can't answer that"
"Who robbed you?"
'God punished me"
'Were you lying there with out
clothes on?"
Eyes, was lying naked and half
frozen. Simon saw me, had pity on
me, took off his overcoat, put it on
me, and told me to come hither. And
here you have fed me, given me drink.
and had pity on me. May God bless
you!"
Matrona got up, took from the
windowsill and old shirt Of Simon's.
the same she had mended, and gave it
to the stranger.
Here, take this" she said. II see
you have no shirt on. Put it on, and
sleep where you like, in the attic or
on the stove
The stranger took off his overcoat,
put on the shirt, and lay down in the
attic. Matrona put out the light.
took his overcoat, and climbed up to
her husband
Matrona covered herself with cor
ner of the overcoat She lay down,
but did not sleep; her thoughts were
full of the stranger.
When she remembered that the last
bit of bread was eaten up, and that
there was none left for the next day
when she remembered that she had
made a present Of the shirt. she felt
iii of ooco. but ba ron,ano horad how
he had smiled, and her heart reioiced
Matrona lay thus awake a long
time, and listened. Simon too was
awake; he was pulling the overcoat
over him.
''Simonr
"Well?n
1--WE have eaten the last bit of
bread, and | haven't baked any
What shall we do tomorrow? Shall
borrow some Of Godmother Me-
lany?" =.
IF we live we shall have enough" "
His wife lay little longer without
speaking.
He's evidently a good man, but
why doesn't he speak Of himself?"
HE can't, no doubt
Simon
"Well?"
1--WE give him. but how is it that
nobody gives us anything?"
Simon did not know what to an
swer. He said, Enough of talking"
turned over, and fell asleep.
(To BE CoNTINUED.)