The Glenwood post., 1909-07-31

to open my mouth as teacher-I am
not worthy; but a few of the humblest
people about here-I have been In this
place for some time-come to me on
Sundays, in the forenoon, to ask me
to speak to them. They are day labor
ers, hostlers-the kind of people
once fancied to be without souls. l
speak to them, not as a preacher and
teacher, but as brother and friend.
1t is now time for them to assemble"
/ saw, sure enough, number Of
poorly-dressed rustics coming toward
the field. They came by twos and
dren in arms, or hanging to their
skirts. When all had arrived there
were about 80 men and women They
seated themselves on the grass, and |
along with them, and. in some mys-
terious way, ! felt, for the first time in
my life. that the plowman was my
brother and the kitchen wench my
sister
When they were all seated. Overton
took from his pocket small Bible and
read the Sermon on the Mount. The
people listened reverently. He gave
them a short discourse, suited to their
understanding, and then read to them
a simple hymn, which they sang with
fervor.
| listened with strange feeling,
half pain, half pleasure, half satisfac
ton. half dissatisfaction. l wished for
Daphnes sweet spirit to be near me.
1t came to my mind how like was this
meeting of the poor and unlearned TO
those held by the Carpenter Of Naza-
reth on the shores of the Sea of Cali
lee. The hymn echoed sweetly over
the green fields; it was a part of that
great antiphon with which Nature re-
plies to the harmonies of the Most
High. The quiet scene, the woods, the
fields, the kline in the pasture near by
all seemed one in this act of worship
But presently my soul was distracted
by what | saw on the highway close by
us. A handsome travelling chariot, fol.
lowed by a plain post-chaise going
Londonward, stopped. Out of the
chariot stepped Laday Arabella Stor
mont, and, through an opening in the
hedge, she entered the field. After a
considerable interval, Mrs. Whitall fol-
lowed her; and, after still longer one,
Sir Thomas Vernon.
Lady Arabella walked noiselessly
over the grass, and, when she reached
the edge of the group, stopped. Her
eyes were full of laughing contempt
at first, but, when Overton turned his
glance full upon her. she suddenly as
sumed look of seriousness, and folded
her hands as if in silent prayer. Be
hind her, Mrs. Whitall's foolish face
was all fear, while Sir Thomas Ver-
non grinned unpleasantly over her
shoulder. Overton, without taking the
slightest notice of them, at the con
clusion of the hymn announced that
he would make a prayer, and asked his
hearers to join with him in a petition
that the life might be spared of Ger.
tain young man, Giles Vernon, now
under sentence of death in York jail
We all stood up, then, the men remov-
ing their hats. l held mine before
Overton made a brief but earnest
prayer for Giles, and l could not re-
frain from crying: Amen! Amen!"
when he concluded.
The people then trooped off, and
we, the gentlefolks, were left to-
gether.
Overton surveyed Lady Arabella and
Sir Thomas with much contempt Lady
Arabella was the first to speak. She
held up her head timidly, and said:
viii you not speak to me-"
NO" replied Overton, sternly.
Giles Vernon's life may be spared; ;
but upon you is blood-guiltiness."
(TO BE CONTINUED)