The herald and news. [volume] (Newberry S.C.) 1903-1937, 1908-04-10
BOOK AUG TIONEER's STORY.
Told Before Asking His Auditors to
Bid on a Copy of the Bible.

lectures bound in one volume, and
now, turning to the shelves at his
back, the a]uctionccr took down, as
the book he would offer next, a copy
Of the Bible. But before inviting bids
upon it, he talked about it briefly.
This was Il copy bound in flexibla
morocco, Gilt edged over red, and it
contained Il concordance. And then
for II moment he spoke Of the Bible
itself. telling what the Old Tesla
mcnt contained and what the New,
and how for ages it had been the
guide ana comfort Of millions. There
were some who picked flaws in the
Book, but ever these trusted those
who believed in it and followed its
teachings. And then the auctioneer
told a little story:
ca manu. he said, "who was
travelling in a remote and sparscly
settled part Of tho country, found
himself ovcrtaken by nightfall at an
isolated farm house. 1t was not the
most inviting looking place in the
world, but it was there or nowhere
for him, and SO he knocked on the
door and asked if he might stay
there for the ni"ht, and the farmer
said he could.
$50 he went in. and the Farmer
AMI his VIE gave hun supper, and
a Iir =, i., H., ,r, ... L.. - l..
hc,l.
'AnL as Il matter of fact the trav-
clrr WAS troubled in his mind, as he
had been for that matter from Inc
moment he saw the farmer. This was
Il rrmoi, and lonely spot. and the
Farmer was Il tall. yaunt, silent man
with a furr"wcd face, and he and his
wife were all the people in The house
hold. And rs the traveller dwclt again
upon how far nway he was, and upon
the "aunt. silent farmer, he recalled
all the stories he had read Of men
who had been murdered and robbed
in just such uut-of-thc-way places,
and rs the time came for retiring mis-
fears increased, and when the far
mcr showed him at last to his room
the traveller was much troubled, and
he prepared for Il sleepless and
watchful night. and to defend him.
self the best lie could if need be.
Gle barricadcd the door with all
the movable furniture in the room
for II prrcaution and he didn't
diSrobr himself. for he wasn't going
to bed: he was going to sit up all
night and watch. and when he had
made all his preparations he put ont
lliS light and sat down to keep guard
for the night.
ellis own Light out, the traveller
SAW a little beam of light comm" in
I" his Don through Il crack in The
wall ON The side toward the room
where he had left the farmer and
his wife. and to be sure he pretty
SCOT HAD his eye to that crack 10 see
saw them. the farmer sitting ON one
side and his wife ON the other Of the
Table. and both silent.
'l;ul presently the Traveller saw
the old man Get mp and =" Ia Il shelf
and take down Il biz book, which he
laid upon the table and opened. And,
bending nvrr the book. the farmer
read from II aloud a chapter from
the bible. And the reading" finished
he closed the book. and then the far
mrr and his wife knclt al their chairs
and the stern faced man prayed.
"And then the traveller, his fears
all gone. took down the barricada
from the door and went TO bed TO
sleep peacefully and rcfrcShingly. for
he knew that there or anywhere UNI
der the roof of those who believed
in the Bible and lived according to
lis prrccpts. he was safe from all
harm.'
The auctionrcr paused. and for q
moment The room was still. and then
the auctionccr spoke again. saving
this time. rs he held the book in his
hand up into view:
"Gcntlrmcn. how much am I bid
for the Bible ?'--Ncws and Courier