Page 61 - Third Book of Reading Lessons

60 THIRD BOOK OF
ing mirth, when a knock at the yard door diverted r a moment the attention of all om what was go­ ing rward. The door was opened without delay, and a gure entered, on which all eyes were instantly riveted. His person was tall and majestic; a long · beard, half grey with years, descended upon his breast; his head and et were bare; in his right hand he carried a sta , while a rosary, with beads of an extraordinary size, was made st to a leathern girdle at his side. But there was something in the aspect and demeanour of the stranger, which, even more than the singularity of his dress, arrested the attention of the company, and produced r the mo­ ment a pause of respect l silence. His countenance, though pale and worn by tigue, or the e ects of habitual abstinence, had Qn it a spiritual expression of mildness and peace, that awakened the interest and esteem of the beholder, and his easy, unpre­
tending address seemed to indicate that he had known what the world calls "better days," although a senti­ ment of religion prevented all appearance of repin-· ing. Ie appeared like one whose mind was so en­ grossed by some one prevailing idea, that it required an e ort to direct his attention, even r an instant, to any other subject.
2. "It seems to me, sir," said one of the company, " that our amusements do not a ord you much satis­ ction." "They do not give me any, sir," replied the stranger. "And pray what great harm do you see in a little innocent amusement of this kind, where it inter res with no duty, and a ords no room r vice or criminal dissipation" "Sir," replied the stranger, "you mistake my disposition, if you think I am an enemy to all innocent amusement. To say
nothing of·the detested superstitions, there is some-