William Phillips Thompson

American Yarns & Fables William Phillips Thompson

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1878 edition. Excerpt: ... THE PIOUS STRANGER. The Gun went off by accident. And, with a piercing yell, Down on the cold stone parapet A passing stranger fell; They bore him to a neighbouring house To have the puncture dressed, But in the region of his heart, The ball had pierced his vest Few hoped that he could yet survive But when they came to probe, They found a pocket bible hid Beneath his ample robe; The ball had pierced the sacred book, And lodged beneath the skin, A bad flesh wound--but that was all, His life was safe within. Forthwith throughout the country round Like lightning spread the fame, At once the lion of the place The stranger youth became; A writer of religious tracts From Manchester came down And soon the tract society Emblazoned his renown. The ladies sent, their hot-house flowers To deck around his bed, Or brought their goody goody books And to him sweetly read; At chapel, on the midweek eve, The local preacher took For text " the pious stranger youth Who loved the sacred book." "Doubtless," he cried, " from early days, By christian parents led, He learned to love the sacred page Which he so constant read; And now a special providence, Has saved the good young man, And with the Bible that he loved Has lengthened out his span." And thus," he said, " throughout all time, The deeds of godly men, Like seed upon the waters thrown Redound to them again; May you dear congregation Follow this stranger youth, And as he loved the sacred book So you uphold the truth." Then they raised a grand subscription Ere he got well again, The Vicar put down ten and six, The Squire gave one pound ten; And all subscribed, both great and small, Throughout the country round, Till they came to Friend Abinadab A colporteur renowned. But Friend Abinadab looked grave, He slowly...