Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1908-03-21
AN AUcTI0NEER'S STORY.
Told Before Asking For Bids on q
Copy Of the Bible.

Told before ASKING roF Dtos on
Copy Of the Bible.
The auctioneer took down as the
book he would Offer next Il copy Of the
Bible. But before inviting bids upon
II he talked about II briefly.
This was a copy bound In flexible
morocco gilt edged over red. and 1t
contained a concordance. And then
for u moment he spoke OF the Bible IT.
self telling what the Old Testament
contained and what the New and how
for nges II had been the guide and
comforter OF millions. There were
some who picked flaws In the book.
but even these trusted those who be-
lleved In 1t aud followed It's teachings.
And then the auctioneer told little
story.
"a man." he said. "who was travel
Ing In II remote and sparsely settled
part of the country found himself over
taken by nightfall at an isolated farm
house. II was not the most inviting
looking place ia the world. but II was
there or nowhere for him. and so he
Knocked on the door and asked u he
might stay there for the night and the
farmer said he could.
$50 he went In. and the farmer and
his wife gave him supper. aud after
time h. was ready 10 go 10 bed
And. as n matter Of fact, the trav-
L.. III. .i..I In
had been. for that matter, from the
moment he saw the farmer. This was
a remote and lonely spot. and the farm
err was tall gaunt silent man with
furrowcd face. and he and his wife
were all the people In the household.
And as the traveller dwclt again upon
how far away he was aud upon the
gaunt. silent farmer he recalled all the
stories he had read OF men who had
been murdered and robbed In just such
out of the way places. and as the time
came for retiring his fears Increased,
and when the farmer showed him at
last To his room the traveller was much
troubled. and he prepared for sleep
less and watehful night and 10 defend
himself the best he could II need be.
lie barricaded the door with all the
movable furniture IN the room for one
precaution. and he didn't disrobe him
self. for lie 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 out his light
and sat down 10 keep guard for the
night.
"His own light oat. the traveller saw
a little beam of light coming into his
room through crack In the wall on
the side toward the room where he
had left the farmer and his wife, and
TO Ice sure he pretty soon had his eye
10 that crack To see what they were do
ing. and there he saw them. the farmer
sitting ON one side and his wife on the
other Of the table. aud both silent.
"But presently the traveller saw the
old man get up and 90 to n shelf and
take down big book. which he laid
upon the table and opened. and then.
bending over the book. the farmer read
from II aloud a chapter from the Bible.
And the reading finished. he closed the
book. and then the farmer and his wife
knelt AT their chairs. and the stern
faced man prayed.
"And then the traveller. his fears all
gone. took down the barricade from the
door and went 10 bed TO Sleep peace
fully and refreshingIy for he knew
that there or anywhere under the roof
OF those who believed In the book and
lived according TO its precepts he was
safe from all harm"
The auctioneer paused. and for mo-
ment the room was still. and then the
auctioneer spoke again, saying this
time as he held the book I'm his hand
up into view:
Gentlemen. how much am ! bid for
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