Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1888-11-22

hard over its stony acres, and they had
yielded him but scanty living, get he
was deeply attached to the old place as
| everybody knew.
Mr.. Clover was surprised as he entered
| the soli fashioned hall TO find the carpet
taken up and only big packing box
ready to be nailed up standing there in
| peace of furniture. The parlor, too, was
| blare, except for some chairs piled up,
| two and two, as if for removal. One of
thes was given him and he was asked to
wait for q few moments. Presently he
| heard the deacon's well known voice at
Aeening devot1cns in the next room A
trembling old voice was speaking: so,
| Lord we thank Thee that Thou hast give
| to US the shelter OF this home so long,
and the souad of a woman's sobbing was
audible.
| A new idea broke upon Mr.. Clover's
mind and greatly agitated him. Can it
| be that Martin has foreclosed that mort.
gage, he thought. Yes it must be, and
heard the deacon was hard pressed to
raise the interest. Nothing else could
have moved him out of his old place. 1
declare it's too bad! It's awful"
His Grand was forgotten; he was in a
fever of desire to do omething helpful.
When Deacon Simon came in, he went
toward him with extended hand and such
earnest sympathy in his face as no trou-
bled heart could have refused. brother
Simon," he said, 81 hadn't heard when [
came, but it's just come to me that you're
going to give up your home"
eyes; I'm obliged to. It's the Lords
will"
ooh, no." said Mr.. Clover; 1T can't be-
lieve it yet. Wait-wait; want to talk
to you"
Deacon Simon drew another chair from
the corner, and seated himself.
81 came" said his visitor, "to ask your
forgiveness for the rude way I spoke at
the meeting last month. I'm ashamed
that l spoke SO; ashamed that I showed
such temper. Do forgive mel"
The deacon looked bewildered for
moment, then he seemed to recoIiect.
''Oh, that" he said;'I didn't lay is up
against you. [ might perhaps, if hadn't
had SO much trouble since; but other
things put it out of my mind. I haven't
anything against you, brother: I'm used
TO finding the church folks differ from
me-"
He looked SO meek, worn and patient
tho old man who had been sometimes
stern and severe-that Mr. CloVer's heart
was broken.
"The Lord forgive mel" he said.
"And me, too" said old Simon. 81
know I've been too dogmatical with my
judgments, and tried the brethren. I can
see it all, now I'm going to leave"
"Io leave! You don't mean you're GO
ing to leave the church,"
''Why, yes; we're going up country TO
my wife's folks, for awhile at least.
We've lost our home here, you know, and
don't see just how to begin again, yet.
Pm an old man to begin again.
"Butwe can't spare you! We can't spare
you out of the church. We can't spare
you out of the pray ERIN Getting"
Deacon Simon looked sesrchingiy at
Mr.. Ciover's honest, earnest face, and
presently tears dimmed his eyes.
'You really mean it; you're saying it in
earnestr' he said. dwell, thank the
Lord! Seems to me now L can go in
peace. made sure everybody would be
glad, and it hurt ms most Of all just now.
II have loved the church. Nobody
prayed deeper ont of his heart for it than
l."
'No; and tell you We can't spare such
praying; we won't, either, if [ can help
it. Come, I want to talk this all over.
I've got some money to invest. This is
the very place I've been looking for 80
put it IN; near TO the town; rising in
value every day. Martins going to put it
in the market; I'll buy it from him, if
you,l stay here and keep It for me-"
The deacon could not keep the light
from rising in his face, but he said
steadily: "The farm won't bring you the
interest of your money. I've done my
best on it and I know"
''Nevsr mind, it'll be trebled in value in
ten years for building lots, and besides
wouldn't it pay if there was some capital
put IN, you know = fertilizers, and new
machines? Wouldn't I like to Try the ex-
perimentl But [ couldn't do it alone.
Won't you stay and help me out in it,"
Deacon Simon had been proud man.
He had never asked sympathy or help in
his life. To have them poured upon him
unasked in this hour of his desoIation
was very sweet to him; sweeter than he
had words to express. His heart clung TO
the old place. He could not refuse the
friendly offer thus made to him.
"What Thanksgiving this will be for
usm he raid, as he babe his visitor good
night.
"You won't mind, Elen," said Mr..
Glover to his wife that night, "if the
church is not redeoorated this ear, will
your"
NO" she replied; sit can spare the
paint better than it can Deacon Simon's
prayers"
"You don't think I've fetched the gift
off the altar changing my plan with it?"
"No;" and presently she repeated: "In
asmuch as We have done it unto one of
the least of these my brethren, ye have
done it unto me-"