The News-Herald. [volume] (Hillsboro, Highland Co., Ohio) 1886-1973, 1894-11-22


Great Teacher to be long afflicted by
the things of this world" replied an
aged friend.
"Ah, Hannah dear" answered the
first speaker, "thee has never had the
bread and butter trouble. and there
fore thee can hardly compass its
misery"
think we all felt the force of this
argument, for Hannah was richly
lowered. Presently Jane Spencer
sighed; II cannot help wishing that
Uncle Joseph would recognize that the
hand Of the Lord is pointing him to
Sarah Sidney"
"If such be the will of our Heavenly
Father, doubt not it will be revealed
in due time" and Hannah spoke with
great deliberation.
"That is quite true, and undoubted-
ly it is only those among us who are a
trifle worldly minded that show dis
position to hasten these things" Jane
Spencer was always very meek under
reproof, and felt glad that others sus-
tanned her desire that Uncle Joseph
should be little less deliberate in his
action.
II can hardly think that he realizes
Sarah's WORTH" said q late conner.
son the contrary" it was Rhoda
inclined to believe that his doubt rests
upon his own merit. If he were of the
worlds people ! should say he was
bashful AS it is, call him slow in
perceiving his adoption to any pecul-
lar calling"
"Thee may be right" responded
Jane Spencer, and l was struck with
the note of merry-making that ac-
companied her words. IF so, can
only wish that somebody would give
him hint, for 1 really believe that
Sarah has perceived their true rela-
tionship, and that her spirit is troubled
since no sign is given unto her."
"Ah," interrupted Hannah, "shall
we never learn that God does not wish
us to call upon Him for signs?"
Now it had CHANGED, although none
Of those present were at that time
conscious of it. that Sarah Sidney had
given up her seat in friends carriage
to a person who was suffering from
weak limb, and had walked briskly
along the frozen road toward our
house.
Uncle Joseph, too, had chosen to
leave his vehicle at home, and, seeing
in the distance a familiar, plump little
figure. he made haste to ovcrtake her
For few moments they talked to-
gether of the lesser things of life.
Then they fellin silence which was
at last broken by Uncle Joseph's voice:
"My mind has dwelt much to-day
upon the Bible teaching OF the relation
of Ruth and Boaz."
am sure that the throbbing heart
beneath the white muslin kerchief of
Sarah Sidney must have bounded a
little at this. He went on:
HAS thee ever thought it over and
applied the test to our own lives?"
1t was certainly not strange that the
good woman hesitated before she an
swered:
IF thee means to ask whether it has
been shown to me that am chosen of
the Lord to be thy companion, will
admit that it has; but, Joseph, thee is
not an old man. nor am young hand
maiien."
Uncle Joseph stopped short in his
walk, and, catching frightened look
upon the honest face beside him, he
gravely said:
1T was not upon that relation that
my mind ran. thought rather of the
increased duty in this day and genera
tion which belongs to the hus usbandman
and his cleaners, or, in other words,
the responsibility of him upon whom
the benefits of this world have been
showered, and the loud call ever sound
ing in my ear to extend help to those
who need; and it has been whispered
to me that thy material goods have
been slipped from thee. and-and 1
wished many times that might make
bold to offer my aid'
Can one marvel if a feeling of faint
ness crept over the gentle Sarah, or
that beseeching look set the seal
upon the awful stiffness that followed.
Uncle Joseph's voice sounded strange
in her ear She feared she should fall,
but as the tones grew clearer some
thing else impressed her.
Sarah, thee has a more receptive
spirit than my own. / have sometimes
longed to see Alright in regard to the
formation of closer bond with thee.
and l rejoice that through my ILL
chosen speech thee has been led to
point the way"
lie took her trembling hand between
his own, and smiled down upon the
sweet, but fearful face; then her lips
opened, the pain went forever out of
her heart, and she whispered only:
Dear Joseph"
But her trial was not quite over.
We were already summoned to the
dining-room when Uncle Joseph anG
Sarah Sidney entered the door to-
gether. glanced about me, and was
certain that saw more than one look
OF satisfaction exchanged by the com
pany present.
The moment of silent blessing was
past. My mother moved as if to be-
gin serving the soup, but she caught
Uncle Joseph's eye, and awaited his