The Ordway new era., 1909-07-30

to open my mouth as teacher-l 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.
speak to them. not as n preacher and
teacher, but as a brother and friend.
1t is now time for them TO assemble.
| saw. sure enough, number OF
poorly-drcssed rustics coming toward
the field. They came by twos and
threes, the women mostly with chill
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 ana
read the Sermon on the Mount The
people listened rcvcrently. He gave
them short discourse, suited to their
understanding. and then read to them
a simple hymn. which they sang with
feryor
| listened with strange feeling.
half pain. half pleasure. half satisfac.
tion. half dissatisfaction. | wished for
Daphne's sweet spirit to b" near me.
II came to my mind how like was this
meeting OF the poor and unlcarned 10
those held by the Carpenter OF NRza
reth ON the shores OF the Sea OF Gall
LEI. The hymn echoed sweetly over
the green fields; 1t was part OF that
great antiphOn with which Nature re
ulics to the harmonies OF the Most
High. The quiet scene. the woods. tn"
fields. the kline in the pasture near by,
all seemed uuc In this act OF worship.
But presently my soul was distracted
by what | saw on the highway close by
Ms \ handsome travelling chariot. fol
lowed by plain post-chaise going
Londonward, stopped. Out OF the
chariot stepped I.aday 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 Ovcrton turned his
81 F,,1t h..
sumed look OF seriousness. and folded
her hands as II in silent prayer Be
hind her Mrs. Whitalls foolish face
was all fear. while Sir Thomas Yer.
non grinned unpleasantly over her
shoulder. Overton. without taking the
slightest notice OF them. at the con.
Clusion of the hymn announced that
nc would make a prayer. and asked his
hearers to join with him in petition
kat the life might be spared of a 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. held mine before
MY face to conceal my tears. while
Oyerton made a brief but earnest
lrayer for Giles. and | could not re.
!rain from crying: Amen, Amen
when he concluded.
The people then trooped of. and
We. the gentlefolks. were left to-
gcther
Overtun 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."
tTO BE CONTINUEDD
IN THE FIELD OF FRIENDSHIP.