Year: 1867

81 told you we hadn't nothing for you


and so travel on!'


"I'll set the dog on you, if you don't


you old beggar p cried lad of ten. "My


rich uncle's coming here tonight. and he


can't bear beggars SO you had better bt


going while your bones are whole y


"May heaven be more merciful than yCu
sighed the old man, as he turned and dis


appeared in the darkness.


Some half an hour later he knocked al


the door of Stephen Barrett, another Of
the nephews, and asked for food and lodg
ing.


1T isn't convenient for us to keep you
tonight" said the master of the house, in
a mild, digni6ed tone. "Besides, We don't
like to encourage beggars. If you are
poor and not able to work, the parish where
you belong is bound to support you No
one need starve in this country, which the
Lord. praised be his name, has so bounti-
fully blessed. trust am not wanting in
charity as an humble follower of the
Lord Jesus Christ, hope l am not-but
what with taxes for the support of the gov
ernment and the poor. donations to benev-
olent societies and heather missions, it is
as much as 1 can do to live and give my
family respectable maintenance. Now,
my friend, if you are poor and unable to
work, (though L don't see why you may
not work as we'll as travel, } you had better
throw yourself on the parish where you be-
long"


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


"You should have thought of that be-
fore you left home" now chimed in the
good housewife, with a sanctifed air. at
Is sinfu! to tempt Providence, as it is called !;
and whoever sins must expect punishment.
| never go away without providing for the
journey, and, of course, | don't expect any
body to feed and shelter me for nothing
1t is sin, too, to be idle when one is able
to work, and it is against my principle, as
true Christian, to encourage any one in sim
ming"


"Then, stppose, I'm to understand that
you refuse me both food and lodging" said
the old man


t'As to food," said the pious dame, glanc-
ing at her husband, "if you are very hun
cry, | 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 very rich uncle of
ours from India will be here very soon, and
he wrote some ii ne ago, that he didn't like
to have beggars about where he was, and
we wouldn't like to offend him. True, we
hardly expect he will come tonight but
then, he might, you know, and we would
not like to run any risks"


"Well, then," said the old man with
sigh, Il Will take the 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 solemnly.


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


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


Sarah Jane now returned and handed
the old man two little cold potatoes. He
took them, turned them over slowly, exam
ined them on all sides, and murmured:


"They have eyes-but can they see? l
think not, for if they could they'd blush
red instead of keeping such dark color"
Then glancing slowly around the neat, tidy,
cheerful room, taking in three prime girls
and their pious parents, he quickly tossed
the potatoes into the lap Of the as.onished
mistress, saying as he did so


81 beg your pardon, madam, but l did
not intend to rob YOU"


"Oh, you sinful, wicked old creature %
exclaimed the good dame in holy horror,
as the disguised old man turned and went
out and shut the door with slam.


In less than half an hour the unfortu-
nate wayfarcr was trying his chances at the
house Of Henry Barrett.


"Come in" said strong, hearty, cheer
full voice, in answer to his timid knock.


He entered a large plainly furnished
apartment, and beheld a group of six per-
sons-father, mother, two sons and two
daughters-seated around pleasant fire,
with a bright light on the table near them,
and all looking contented and happy.


On seeing his visitor was an old man aud
a stranger, the master Of the house arose
and ir vited him to walk forward and take
a scat, and all the others drew back respect
fully, to enlarge the circle and give him
the best place at the fire.


II have called" said the old man, stop
ping and removing his hat from his white
head, "to ask if you would be kind enough
to give me some food and lodging for the
night"


OF course we will my friend, and glad of
the chance to help fellow in need" said
Henry Barrett, in q frank, cordial tone -
'fSit down and make yourself at home =
Here give me your hat Come girls, hur
nv up something warm for the old gentleman,
who is wet tired and chilled through, as l
can readily SEQ. You ought not to have
baen ont so late In this storm, father"