Year: 1860

And in fact the good Deacon was now seen
making his way through the crowd of poor
people, who stood humbly waiting near the
gate, and offering his arm to withered old
lady, In rusty bombazine, who had been among
the first arrivals. He presented her and the
foremost of the guests to his lady, who stood
all in rustic OF astonishment and stiff brocade
on the verandah steps, and to his elegant
daughters, who were half way between laugh
ing and crying at the novelty of the scene be-
fore them. Mrs. Goodwin fortunately had
the good sense philosophy to perceive that
a state Of things which was manifestly not to
be cured, had better be endured with the best
grace possible and her innocent guests, tho
somewhat awe-struck at such undreamed of
magnficence Of apparel, were all unconscious
of the strugg!e-and triumph, too-of grace
that was going on beneath the studied hospi-
tality with which she received them.


There was the old lady in black, who proved
to be a widow, and utterly alone in the world !;
about the supply of whose wants the Deacon
knew more than any other man living. And
there was an old man with one wooden leg
and blind man, who was strongly suspected
to have been seen at the way-side begging,
until some benevolent individual un-
known--had supplied him with basket of
saleable articles, by means of which he was
now able to support himself and family. There
were women, too, with wan faces, who seemed
to have never enjoyed the freedom of Gods
blessed air, and puny children in the arms,
whose heavy eyes frightened at the sight of
green grass and waving trees. The older per-
sons were soon seated in the house, or on the
piazzas, while the children, under convoy of
Miss Ellen, who entered heartily into the spir-
it of the occasion, scattered about in merry
games on the green lawn. Never was such
play before and to Ellen herself it seemed
that the little birds never sung so sweetly, nor
the fresh summer air breathed so softly, and
ali nj 70 hova a home n
the country as on this very day.


The company once disposed of, sober Sec
ond thought occurred to the lady hostess, more
distressing doubtless than the first An ap-
pealing look brought her husband to the cor
ner. ssWhat in the world am to do,'' she
said. "I have not half provision enough for
them to eat.''


ssThat is all right,'' replied the Deacon,
pointing to market wagon which was just
unloading at the kitchen gate. sThere is a
bundance for them all, and have given direc-
tions to the cook"


Anxiety was needless every arrangement
had been completely made; and the entertain
crs devoted themselves again to their guests.
Happily passed the hours of the golden after
noon. The ladies of the family recovered
speedily from the shock of disappointment,
and could not help admitting that they had
never so thoroughly enjoyed company before.
Itwas only because the real delight OF social
life, that of comforting happiness on others,
had never been SO fully within their reach.
1t was lesson worth the learning.


At six the company were assembled around
the long tables, which by the Deacon's direc-
tiOns, had been spread upon the shady lawn;
and never, probably, did guests more heartily
unite in thanksgiving for the bounties. of Prov
idence. Before they rose from the banquet,
there was gorgeous sunset, and all in full
view, to be enjoyed by many who, within their
narrow walls, were almost effectually exclu-
ded from Gods free picture gallery in the
heavens as from mans aristocratic ones
on earth. At the same time, the full moon
was rising in the east, and then there was
delightful evening, with the glancing fire flies
among the grass, and the cool breezes that nev-
er dreamed of brick wall and heated pavement
and by nine O'Clock the whole party departed
in their train of conveyances for home.


The lady hostess was too tired, too thought
full to demand explanation now. When the
children and servants had silently assembled
in the sitting-room at the hour of prayer, the
worthy father of the family read from the
great Bible the story of a feast given of old
at the house of a chief Pharisee; and his
voice fingered with special emphasis on the
following words


ssWhen thou makest dinner or supper, call
not thy friends nor thy brethren, neither thy
kinsmen nor thy rich neighbors; least they
also bid thee again, and recompese be made
thee. But when thou makest feast, call the
poor, the MANNED, the lame, the blind, and
thou shalt be blessed; for they cannot recon-
pense thee; for thou shalt be recompensed at
the resurrection of the just"