Rensselaer Union, Volume 9, Number 23, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 22 February 1877 — The Girl and the Skeptic. [ARTICLE]

The Girl and the Skeptic.

There was once a very clever and learned gentleman, but an infidel, who was traveling among the mountains and valleys of Wales. He came to a roadside cottage in a lonely, lovely spot, and, as he was very tired and thirsty, stopped to ask for a drink of water. It was a little girl he spoke to, sitting at the cottage door with a book on her knee. Bhe instantly rose and said: “ Will you not have a cup of milk, sir, for you are hot, and the cold water would hurt you?” He was very much pleased with her kindness, and thought he would like a little chat with her. Bo when she came out with the milk, he said: “I see you are getting your lesson there, my dear.” “ No, sir,” she answered, " I am only reading.” “ Why, what book ?” " The Bible, sir.” " What,” said he, half himself, as he gave back the cup, 44 do you like that book, then?” For a moment the little maiden did not answer for surprise; then, lifting her bright eyes to his face, she said; 44 Why, sir, I thought that everybody loved, the Bible.” , The gentleman bade the child good-by, and slowly rode along. No one knew what he wa st thinking of then; but years after, when he had become a true and humble Christian, he used to tell of that little Welsh girl, and say: "And I, too, now that I understand what the Bible is, am almost as ready to wonder at my question as she was; for every one who really knows it jnust sorely love it, too.”