St. Landry democrat., 1883-12-01

Mr.. Fosters man, too.''
There came knock at the door A
man asked for something to eat. The
deacon was in the barn, but she would
not refuse meal and shelter. !" Be-
sides, she thought, II can talk to him
about keeping Sunday She seated
him by the kitchen fire with a plate of
provisions and a cup Of hot coffee.
s'Are you travelling far2"
Just up from down below, looking
for work. y
'.You don't look for work Sunday, !
hope?''
sWell. don't know what I'll do to-
morrow. Guess I'll wait till Sunday
comes. !"
s.Poor heathen," she said to herself;
If could only give him some instruc-
tionn' We are staying at home from
meeting to-day, but we usually go. If
you are able to walk in this snow, when
you get into the city, you viii find a
church on the right-hand side, this very
road straight ahead. You may go right
into our pew, tell the sexton Deacon
Stearns. Your clothes are good. You
mustn't go about Sabbath-d if you
would prosper" She rose and looked
steadily at him to make her remarks
effective.
The man stared, then got up.
'.Thank ye, marm; your food was
good and hot. guess you're all right,
if you are little fuddled in your
mind
She was too indignant to utter word,
and the man stepped out. The deacon
met him in the door-yard, and he said
to himself:
..Good chance to say q word to this
man" But, when he began, the tramp
actually burst out laughing and turned
away. The deacon watched him with
growing displeasure. He went a few
steps, turned around and looked at the
house, and seemed to be overcome with
mirth.
Another knock at the door of the
kitchen. There stood a little girl, one
OF the new neighbor's children.
Please, ma am, will you lend my
mother frying-pan? She's cracked
hers, and we can't get another to-
day."
.Of course you can't, my child.
We're not heathens in this town. Yes.
you may take it: but come in and sit by
the fire. For,' she said to herself, per
haps this is another chance; and there's
more hope for children
She brought out two nice apple puffs
on a pretty plate, and began:
ssDo you know the commandments
ayes, ma am, some of Them
s.Will you say one after me? Re-
member the Sabbath-day to keep it
holy
The child ate her pies, regarding her
questioner with an amazed look that
convinced Mrs. Stearns she had not
been well taught. She proceeded to en-
large:
..My dear. don't blame your mother
for not sending you to Sunday school
to-day, the snow is SO deep; but you
must be careful when you 60 home
about playing, for that would be
wicked
Still eyeing her doubtfully, the child
departed,
The teams of wood went by at inter-
walls through the afternoon. They
talked the subject over, as, later, they
sat by the dying embers. Il don't
know what this land is coming to, y
said the deacon. 1T will get to be an
other Sodom.''
And I've made up my mind,'' said
Mrs. Stearns, sorroWfully, that |
won't stay at home from meeting
again. 1t may be a judgmentupon me.
| do hope I've done some good though,
to-day. M
Well. that was a funny fellew you
fed, returned the deacon. why, he
actually laughed in my face, and then
winked.''
At six the next morning she was up
and at her washing, and he went to his
usual work.
AS the sleighing was good. and none
of the family were present at church,
the deacon's nephew thought he'd ride
down, and see if they were sick. Fast
ening his horse, he heard the sound of
the deacon's ak, and made his way to
the shed, but was never more surprised
in his life. aWhy, Uncle Stearns! work
ing Sunday!''
Tain't Sunday" said the deacon,
pausing with uplifted arm.
Amt Sunday! Why, I've just come
from meeting. Thought you must all
be sick"
u tell you yesterday was Sunday,
and mother and / keptit at home. =
The nephew leaned against the work
bench for support as the truth daWned
upon him.
The deacon threw down his ak, and
started for the house. Mrs. Stearns,
her clothes all out, was taking up the
dinner
Mother. what day is it?''
Why, it is Monday. father. What
do you mean?n p
Here's Ben, and says it's Sunday
N .tSundaY! Ben. YOU are crazy, And