W was out in the barnyard putting up his

horse. The pastor, at sight of him, became very



An Unwelcome Guest. 67

nervous and begged me to drive on without stop-
ping. "No," said I, "I need something to eat,
and the Lord has promised to supply my needs,
and right here is the place He calculates to
do it." "Well," said the pastor, "you let me put
away the horse, I want to speak to the old gentle-
man." I knew the pastor wanted to make apolo-
gies and lay all the blame on me. I shouted
glory and sprang from the buggy and marched
up the walk with the air of a conqueror, and
when I reached the house I found the front door
unlocked; I turned the knob and walked in. It
was their parlor, so I seated myself in a big,
heavily cushioned rocker and made myself at
home. As I sat there I could look through the
window and see the pastor and old Brother

W in the barnyard in earnest conversation,

and by the way the old gentleman was gesticu-
lating, he reminded me of a goat standing on its
hind legs, or a cat with a rainbow spine. His
anger had gotten his back up sure enough, but,
thank God! I was as happy as a bald-headed
bumblebee in a ten-acre clover patch. I was just
sucking honey from the blossoms. The Lord
told me I could have my dinner and I knew I was
going to get it, if I would obey Him.
At last the pastor entered the room with a



68 Thirty-thr££ Ybars a Livs WirU.
face on him that looked like a ghost. He was as
pale as a sheet and frightened almost to death.
