The Poorhouse Waif and His Divine Teacher: A True Story — John Shaqi
The Poorhouse Waif and His Divine Teacher: A True StoryByrum, Isabel C. (Isabel Coston)
Religion
The Poorhouse Waif and His Divine Teacher: A True Story
Byrum, Isabel C. (Isabel Coston)
Christian life -- Fiction; United States -- History -- Civil War, 1861-1865 -- Fiction
Not long after the excitement caused by the earthquake had subsided, Frank
Kauffman informed his father-in-law, Mr. Miller, of Edwin's intention to
change his place of employment and took great pains to mention the young
man's good qualities. As a result, Frank returned with the message: "My
father-in-law will be glad to have you help him on the farm even before
harvest, and you are at liberty, he said, to come just as soon as you care
to do so." Accordingly, at the end of the month Edwin, together with his
trunk and other baggage, was transferred to the home of Mr. Miller.
When the news of Edwin's departure from the neighborhood came to the ears
of Mrs. Kauffman, she rejoiced, because she felt that his influence over
her son in regard to smoking would not be so great; but little did she know
what the move was to mean to Edwin or that it would bring him even more
directly into her life.
Mr. Miller, a well-to-do old farmer, was still strong for his age and well
able to assume the responsibilities connected with his business; so the
greater part of his help was hired by the day. But since he would need one
steady hand to help him throughout the harvest-season with the barn- and
house-chores, he hired Edwin for two months. Finding that all that Frank
had said of him was true, the Millers took Edwin into the home as a member
of the family.
Edwin was not long in discovering that he greatly enjoyed being in this
home, for both Mr. and Mrs. Miller were good people, and Mrs. Miller was a
professor of religion. But to the young man so hungry for the right kind of
living the lack of profanity between the husband and wife was the thing
most noticeable and gratifying.
He had been there but a short time when the motherly sympathy of Mrs.
Miller was aroused on account of his extreme ignorance on many subjects,
and she did not grow weary in explaining the meaning of new words and in
doing all else that she knew to do to enlighten his mind. That she might
have a better opportunity to talk with Edwin, he was invited to share with
the old couple the smoking-hour that was spent in the little summer-kitchen
(for both Mr. and Mrs. Miller were fond of their tobacco). For this
kindness Edwin was very grateful.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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