Year: 1867

tetSi VINO were halt way between laughing
and crying at the novelty of the scene before
them.


Mrs. Goodman fortunately had the good
sense or philosophy to perceive that state
OF things which was manifestly not to be
cured bad better be endured with the best
grace possible; and her innocen. guests,
though somewhat struck at the un
dreamed OF magnifcence of her apparel, were
all unconscious of the esiruggle-and triumph
too-of grace that was going on beneath the
studied hospitality with which she received
them.


There was the old lady in black, who
proved TO be a widow, and utterly alone in
the world-sbout The supply Of whose wants
the Deacon probably knew than any
one living. And there was an OLD man with
one wooden leg, and blind man, who was
strongly suspected to have been seen at the
wavside begging, until some benevolent in
dividual-name unknown-had supplied him
with basket of salable 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 enjoy
ed the freedom IF Gods blessed air and
puny children in their arms, whose heavy
eyes Frightened ct the sight Of green grass
and waving trees.


The older people were soon seated in the
house or on the piazzas, while the children.
under convoy of Miss Ellen, who entered
heartily into the spirit of the occasion, scat
tered about in merry games on the green
lawn Never was such play before and to
| Ellen herself it seemed that the little birds
never sang so sweetly, nor the fresh simmer
air brea,hed So softly and pever was it 50
delightful to have home in the country as
on this very day.


The company disposed, a sober second
thought occurred TO the lady hostess, more
distressing, doubtless, than the first. An
| appealing look brought her husband imme
diately to her corner Of the room.


. What in the world am | to dol have
! not half provisions enough for them to eat ~


. That is all right" said the Deacon,
pointing to market wagon which just
unloading at the kitchen gate. " There is
abundance for them all, and | have gwen
direction to the cook about it.


anxiety was needless every arrange
ment had been completely made, and the
entertainers devoted themselves again 10
their guests. Happily passed the hours of
the golden afternoon. The ladies Of the
family recovered Immediately from the shock
Of Disappointment and could not help ad-
nlitting that they had never SO thoroughly
enjoyed a company before. 1t was only be
cause the real delight Of social life, that of
conlerrine bsppiness on others. had never
been so fully within their reach Il was a
lesson worth learning.


At six the company were assemble around
the long tables, which, by the Deacon's di-
recton, had been spread upon the shady
lawn end never, perhaps, did guests more
iiear5iIr ,;nite II thank giving fer the boun
ties of Providence.


Before they rose from the banquet, there
was a gorgeous sunset, All in view, to be
enjoyed by many who, within their s.aTrow
walls. were almost e1fectualiy excluded
from Gods free picture gallery in the heav-
ems as from mans aristocrat;c IN earth. At
the same time the moon was rising in the
east and then there was delightful eve
ming, with the FIRE flies among the grass, and
the co0i breezes that never dreamed of brick
walls and heated payements-and by nine
O'Clock the whole company had departed in
their train of conveyance for home.


The lady hostess was too tired OF too
thoughtful 10 demand exr lanations now
When the children and servants had silent.
ly assembled in the sitting room at the hour
of PRAYER. the worthy father of the family
read from the great Bible a story of feast
given of old at the house Of PhaFisee; and
his voice fingered with special emphasis on
the following words


when thou make5t a dinner or e supper,
call not thy friends nor thy brethren, neither
thy kinsmen OF thy rich ueighbors, lest they
bid thee again, and a recompense be made
thee. But when thou makest feast, call
the poor, the manned, the lame, the blind
and +hou shalt he hest for thew cannot re-
compense thee for thou shalt be recompens-
ed at the resurrection Of the Just"


He was certainly a strange man, that Dea-
con Goodman and, unfortunately, very diff
ferent from the rest of the world.