Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1908-03-12
AN AUCTIONEER'S STORY.
old Before Asking For Bids on .
Il

old Before Asking For Bids on q
Copy Of the Bible.
The auctioneer took down as the
ook he would offer next copy Of the
iblc. But before inviting bids upon
he talked about 1t briefly.
This was a copy bound in flexible
borocco, gilt edged over red, and 1t
bntained concordance. And then
pr a moment he spoke of the Bible it.
elf, telling what the Old Testament
pntaincd and what the New and how
pr ages 1t had been the guide and
omforter of millions. There were
bme who picked flaws in the book,
Tut even these trusted those who be-
eyed in it and followed its teachings.
nd then the auctioneer told little
tory.
"A man." he said, "who was travel
ng in a remote and sparsely settled
art Of the country found himself over
AIKEN by nightfall at an isolated farm
ouse. 1t was not the most inviting
boxing place in the world, but 1t was
here or nowhere for him, and so he
nocked on the door and asked If he
hight stay there for the night, and the
armer said he could.
so he went in. and the farmer and
bis wife gave him supper, and after
ime he was ready to go to bed.
"And, as a matter of fact, the tray
(ler was troubled in his mind, as he
lad been, for that matter from the
moment he saw the farmer. This was
remote and lonely spot, and the farm
n was q tall gaunt, silent man with
urrowed face, and he and his wife
we're all the people in the household.
And as the traveller dwelt again upon
bow far away he was and upon the
kaunt, silent farmer he recalled all the
stories he had read of men who had
becn murdered and robbed in just such
but of the way places. and as the time
tame for retiring his fears increased.
Ind when the farmer showed him at
asst to his room the traveller was much
troubled, and be prepared for a sleep
css and watchful night and to defend
himself the best he could if need be.
HE barricaded the door with all the
movable furniture in the room for one
precaution and he didn't disrobe him
self, for he wasn't going to bed. He
WAS going to sit up all night ana
watch. And when he had made all
his preparations he put out his light
and sat down to keep guard for the
hight.
Ills own light out, the traveller saw
little beam Of light coming into his
room through crack in the wall on
the side toward the room where he
Mad left the farmer and his wife, and
10 he sure he pretty soon had his eye
% 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, and both silent
but presently the traveller saw the
old man get up and go to a shelf and
lake down big book, which he laid
npon the table and opened, and then.
bending over the book. the farmer read
from it aloud a chapter from the Bible.
And the reading finished, he closed the
book and then the farmer and his wife
melt at their chairs, and the stern
laced man prayed
"And then the traveller, his fears all
gone, took down the barricade from the
door and went to bed TO sleep peace
fully and refreshingly, for he knew
that there or anywhere under the roof
Of those who believed in the book and
lived according to its precepts be was
safe from all harm"
The auctioneer paused, and for n mo-
nent the room was still, and then the
huctioneer spoke again, saying this
lime as he held the book in his hand
up into view
Gentlemen. how much am bid for
HE Bible ?"-New York Sun.