Wading wearily along, the water up to her shoulders and occasionally filling her ears, she encountered a hard object floating towards her. It proved to be an accordion.
"'Pears like I'se saw dis afore," she muttered.
Two dripping figures met on the threshold of the Bostwick homestead.
"Dannel," said one, "huccum yo' tuh git so wet?"
"Well, Rachel," replied the other, "jes' ez I was a-comin' tuh de bridge, I seen a bullfrog a-settin' on de bank a-winkin' at me, an' knowin' yo' was partial tuh frogs' legs I struv' tuh git him fuh yo' brek'fus', honey, an' so doin' fell intuh de watah. Ain't yo' kinder damp yo'seff, Rachel?'
"Dannel," she replied solemnly, "ez I was a-strollin' by de stream in de moonlight, I seen yo' 'cordeen in de watah, an' in tryin' tuh feesh it out I done got in up tuh meh neck. Dat's all, Dannel."
The following Sunday Brother Brice preached his famous sermon on "Con'imence," taking for a general text the power of the righteous to cast out devils. Mrs. Bostwick, who was present, was observed to sniff scornfully several times, and finally left the church.
Next morning when she prepared to go and do the washing at the big house, Daniel, much to his inward satisfaction, saw her array herself again in the gown of many pockets. She patted the one lined with rubber affectionately.
"I'se g'wine tuh fotch yo' home sumpin' nice fuh yo' suppah, honey," she remarked.
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THE WAYFARER
HE had no crown upon his head
When first he met me by the way,
His feet upon the thorns had bled,
His gown was hodden gray;
But in his eyes, stars, moon, and sun
Were one.
He came, his empty hands outheld;
I gave to him with glad good-will,
And since my pitying heart rebelled
That he should fare so ill,
I took his gold head to my breast
For rest.
When lo! his empty hands were piled
With all gifts craved in dreams of mine,
And over me the pilgrim child
Spilled benefits divine:
Joy, Heart's-Desire, and Peace most fair
Fell there.
For my great pity in his stress
Because that sad and bare he went,
I now am clad with happiness
And rich in sweet content:
'Twas Love, the King, who crossed my way
To-day.
