The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1894-12-14

lowered. Presently Jane Spencer
sighed: Il cannot help wishing that
Uncle Joseph would recognize that the
hand of the Lord Is pointing him to
Sarah sidney"
If such be the viii Of our Heavenly
Father. ! doubt not it viii be revealed
in due time" ana Hannah spoke with
great dcliberation.
i hat Il quite true, and undoubted-
" il Is only those among us who are a
tritie worldly minded that show a dis
position To hasten these things" Jane
Spencer was always very meek under
reprouf. and ! felt glad that others sus-
tanned her desire that Uncle Joseph
should be a little less deliberate in his
action.
Il can hardly think that he realizes
Sarah : worth said late conner
"On the contrary" it was Rhoda
LoHg>treet's voice, Il am sometimes
inclined 10 believe that his doubt rests
upon his own merit II he were ofthe
worlds people l should say he was
hashfuL As it Is. l call hIm slow in
perce.ying his adoption to any pecuI-
lar calling"
Thee may be right" responded
Jane Spencer. and I was struck with
the note Of merry-malling that ac-
compuuieI her words. If so. ! can
only wish that somebody would give
him a hint, for / really believe that
Sarah has perceived their true reIa-
tionship. and that her spirit is troubled
since no sign is given unto her"
All" interrupted Hannah, shall
we never learn that God does not wish
Us 20 call upon Him for signs?'
Now II had chauced. although none
Of those present were ut that time
conscious OF it. that Sarah Sidney had
given mp her seat in fricnds carriage
To a person who was suffering from a
weak limb, and had walked brisIllv
along the frozen road toward our
house.
Uncle Joseph, too, had chosen to
leave his vehicle at home, and. seeing
IN the distance q familiar. plump little
figure he made haste to ovcrtal5e her
For a icw moments they talked to-
gether Of the lesser things of life
Then they fcllinto q silence which was
at last broken by Uncle Joseph's voice:
My mind has dweIt 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 nave bounded a
little AT this lie went on:
Has thee ever thought it over and
applied the test To our own lives?'
1t wa certainly not strange that the
good woman hesitated before she an
syrrci:
Ii thee means to ask whether it has
been shown to me that l am chosen of
the Lord TO ice thy companion. | will
Admit that il has, but. Joseph. thee l.
not an old man. nor am ! young hand
mai len.
Uncle Joseph stopped short in his
walk. and. catching a frightened look
upon the honest face beside him. he
grivrIy said:
1t was not upon that relation that
ny mind ran. thought rather OF the
increased duty in TIN, dav and genera
tion which belongs To the huSbandman
and his cleaners. or. ia other words
the eNpoI>Ibility of him upon whom
the benefits of this world have been
showered, and the loud call ever sound
ing ia my ear to extend help to those
who need; and il has been whispered
To me that thy material goods have
been slipped from thee. and-and /
wished many times that / might make
bold to offer nv aid.
Can one marvel if a feeling of faint
ness cropt Owe" the gentle Sarah. or
that beseechiug look set the seal
upon the awiul stiffness that followed.
Uncle Io>cph's voice sounded strange
in her ear. She feared she should fall.
but a. the tones grew clearer some
,hin@ else impressed her.
sarah. thee has a more receptive
spirit than my own. | have sometimes
lon-ei to see Alright in regard to the
formation of a closer bond with thee.
and / rejoicc that through my i'll
chosen speech thee has been led to
point the way.
Gle took her trembling hand between
his own. and smiled down upon the
sweet. hut fearful face: then her lips
opened. the pain went forever out of
her heart. and She whispered only:
Dear Joseph"
Eut her trial was not quite over.
We were already summoned to the
diuing-room when Uncle Joseph and
Sarah Sidney entered the door to-
gcth@r. 1 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
iucle Jn~eph's eye, and awaited his
slow words.
Dear friends" he said. with little
trcmor in his voice. rejoice with me.
for to-day has our beloved Sarah Sid
la
the Lord has given into her keeping -
lie paused. and with flush bright
cniu- her soft checks. Sarah asked,
calmly:
Joseph, viii thee kindly explain
thyself?"
never knew him to do anything so
well as ne now related To Us the man
ner in which he had obtained an in
sight into the secret knowledge of
Sarah ~iduey's heart.
AS he ceased speaking her own
rhythmic tones filled the room in ten
der Thanksgiving to the Lord for his
gift of companiouship, and this has
evcrmorc remained in my memory as
one of tine most beautiful and fervent
supplIcations have been privileged to
hear--From Quaker Iiylls.
'SaLolS puE Sa9USpISaI
20 QUIZ u7YoIquu ue 90 81 PIES :! oI9Vl
77uGlS!p 7Igua lrQl IoJ pUE 'uopuoI
u!UMol SsoIop SaI!uU AlLLql lnoqg :! IL
'uopuoI ssOISE
From I-oCISJaw.
Death from tctanus was infrequent
during the civil war, only two wounded
soldiers in one Thousand dying from it