Year: 1867

gars. If you are poor and not able
to work, the parish to which you be-
long is bound to support you. No
one need starve in this country, which
the Lord, praised be his name, has so
bountifully blessed. trust I am not
wanting in charity-as an humble fol-
lower of the Lord Jesus Christ, hope
l am not-but what with taxes for the
support of the government and the
poor, donations to benevolent socie-
ties and heather missions, it is as
much as / can do to live and give my
family a respectable maintenance
Now, my friend, if you are poor and
not able to work, Though I don't see
why you may not work as well as
travel, you had better throw yourself
on the parish where you belong"


"But am tired, wet and hungry"
said the old man, "and all the parish
es in the world can't do me any good
tonight"


"But you should have thought of
that before you left home" now chimed
in the good housewife, with a sancti-
fed air. at is sinful to tempt Provi-
dence, as it is called; and whoever
sins must expect punishment. I nev-
er go away without providing for the
journey, ana of course | don't expect
anybody to shelter and feed me for
nothing. 1t is a sin, too, to be idle
when one is able to work, and it is
against my principles, as true chris
tian, to encourage any one in SHINING"


"Then, l suppose, I am to under
stand that you refuse me both food
and lodgings" said the old man.


GAS to food" said the pious dame,
glancing at her husband, 'if you are
very hungry l suppose we can do
something for you in that way; but
lodging is out of the question, for two
mounted couriers have been here to
say that a very rich uncle of ours
from India, will be here very soon !;
and he wrote some time ago that he
didn't like to have beggars about
where he was, and we wouldn't like
to do anything to offend him. True,
we hardly expect he will come to-
night; but then, he might, you know,
and we wouldn't like to run any risks"


"WeA, then," said the old man, with
a sigh, Il will take food, if you please,
and go on, even if perish


"Put your trust in the Lord, my
friend, put your trust in the Lord !"
said Stephen Barrett, solemply,


"Yes," echoed his wife, "put your
trust in the Lord that is what we do
in trouble. Sarah Jane, 60 down in
the cellar and bring up a couple of
those cold potatoes for this old man !;
they are very good eating when one is
hungry; like them myself. Yes,
put your trust in the Lord and don't
leave home again without means
By-the-by, while | think of it" added
the old woman, laying down a cap
frill, on which she had been busily at
work while talking, and looking up
with bright twinkle of the eyes, II
do believe you can get good night S
lodging at Harry Barrett's, who lives
only half mile from here on the road
south. He's great hand for taking
in strangers


She looked at her husband, and
they both smiled knowingly, for both
were thinking that in case the rich
uncle should find the beggar there, il
might increase the chances of Stephen
Barrett of becoming the fortunate
heir.


Sarah Jane now returned and hand
ed the old man two little cold pota
toes. He took them, turned them
slowly over, examined ON all sides, and
murmured;


"They have eyes; but can they see
I think not, for if they could they Z
J blushed red, instead of keeping such {
dark color" Then glancing slowly
round the neat, tidy, cheerful room
taking in three prim girls and theil


pious parents, he quickly tossed tn
potatoes into the lap of the astonishec
mistress, saying, as he did so, ~ bes
: your pardon, madam, but l did not in


tend to rob you,'


l "Oh, you sinful, wicked old crea
y turep' exclaimed the good dame, il
a holy horror as the disgusted old ma


turned and went out, and shut tn
: door with slam.


In less than half an hour the unfol
tunate wayfarer was trying his char


ces at the house of Harry Barrett.
O "Come in" said strong, heart!
3 cheerful voice, in answer to his timi
O knock.


It He entered large, plainly furnish
y ed apartment, and beheld a group o
8, six persons-father, mother: two sor
D, and two daughters-seated around
n pleasant fire, with bright light Q


the table near them, and all lookin
D, contented and happy. On seeing b
t visitor was an old man and strange
70 the master of the house arose and i
70 vited him to walk forward and take


seat, and all the others drew back r
# spectfully, to enlarge the circle al
ID give him the best place at the fire.
It. II have called" said the old ma
n. stopping and removing his hat fro
" his white head, "to ask if you wou
" be kind enough to give me some fot
v: and lodging for the night"
or "Ofcourse we will, my friend, al


glad Of the chance to help a poor f
IT low in need" said Henry Barrett,
m frank, cordial tone. "Sit down a