The Lafayette gazette. [volume] (Lafayette, La.) 1893-1921, 1894-12-15

| Great Teacher to be long afflicted by
! the things of this syorld,'' replied an
| aged friend.
"Ah, Hannah DEAR" answered the
first speaker, '.thec 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
Uncle Joseph would recognize that the
hand Of the Lord is pointing him to
Sarah Sidney"
III such be the will of our Heavenly
Father, ! doubt not it will be revealed
in due Time" and Hannah spoke with
great delibcration.
That is z site true. and undoubted-
" 1T is only those among US who arc a
trifie worldly minded that show a dis
position to hasten these things" Jane
Spencer was always very meek under
rcproof, and felt glad that others sus-
tanned her desire that Uncle Jose phi
should be a little less deliberate in his
action.
II can hardly think that he realizes
Sarah's WORTH" said u late conner
ION the contrary" it was Rhoda
Longstrect's voice, ~ am sometimes
inclined to believe that his dou5 t rests
upon his own merit. II lie were of the
bashful. As it is, ! call him slow in
perceiving his adoption to any pecul-
lar Calling"
''Thee may be right" responded
Jane Spencer, and I was struck with
the note Of rne:.y-nalling that &c
co,npanied Ter words "!f SO, can
only wish that somebody would give
him hint, for ! really believe that
Sarah has perceived their true rcla-
tionshir, and that her spirit is troubled
since no sign is given unto her."
"Ah.' interrupted Hannah, shall
we never learn that God does not wis,
US 10 call upon Him for sisns?'
Now it had Glanced. although none
OF those present were at that time
conscious Of it. that Sara h Sidney had
given up her seat in 4 friends carriage
TO person who was suffering from a
weak limb, aud 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 Il familiar plnmp little
figure. he made haste to cvcrta.!ze her
For few moments they talked to-
gether OF the lesser things Of life
Then they fell into n silence which was
at last broken by Uncle Joseph's voice
MY mind has dvclt much to-day
upon the Bible teaching OF the relation
Of Ruth and I3oaz."
am sure that the throbb;ng heart
beneath the white muslin Ecrchief Of
Sarah Sidney must have bounded "a
little at this. II. 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 hcsitated before she an |!
swcrcd:
If thee means to ask whether it has |
oeen shown to me that ! am chosen of |
the Lord to be thy coInpan MON. will |
admit that it has; but, Joseph. thee is
not gu ola man, nor am u young hand
mai lem
Uncle Joseph stopped short in his
wa Tx, and, catching n frightened look
npon the honest face beside him, he
yrarely said:
1T was not upon that relation that
ny mind ran. thought rather of the
increased duty in this day and cuera-
ion which belongs to the hus bandman
IND his cleaners. or, IN other words,
he responsibility Of him upon whom
Tho benefits of this world have been
'howercd, and the loud call ever sound.
ns IN my ear to extend help to those
Who need; and it has been whispered
o me that thy material goods have
'een slipped from thee. and-and I
Wished many times that I might make
'cid to offer my aid"
Can one marvel if a feeling of faint
less crept over the gentle Sarah. or
hat beseeching look set the seal
lpon the awful stiffness that followed.
ncle Joseph's voice sounded strange
n her car. She feared she should fall,
rat as tho tones grew clearer some
hing else impressed her.
sarah. thee has a more reccptiyt,
pirit than my own. I have some times
onged to see Alright in regard to the
orma ton of Il closer bond with thee
nd I rejoice that through my ILL
hosen speech thee has been led to .
oint the way"
He took her trembling hand between:
is own. and smiled down upon the ,
~eet. but fearful face; then her lips 6
pened, the pain went forever out of :
er heart, and she whispered only: ,
Dear Joseph" ,
But her trial was not quite over t
1e were already summoned to the '
in ing-room when Uncle Joseph and i
arab Sidney entered the door to- i
ether. glanced about me, and was r
.rtain that saw more than one look S
satisfaction exchanged by the com a
any present. t
The moment of silent blessing was t
asst. My mother moved as il to be- a
in serving the soup, but she caught t
ncIe .Joseph's eye, and awaited his b
ow words. i,
Dear friends" he said, with a little +
emor in his voice, "reioicc with Inc.
n to-day has our beloved Sarah Sid
ey revealed to me the message that
he Lord has given into her keeping" =
He paused, and with a ff,1Sl, lrich+, -