My Neighbors - Stories of the Welsh People by Caradoc Evans
page 36 of 135 (26%)
page 36 of 135 (26%)
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"I cannot say less. No relation you are to me. Hope I do that right enough are your four. Recite them to me, old woman." "I ate rats to provide a Beybile to the Respected," the woman trembled. "I--" "You are pathetic," Towy said. "Hie and get your tokens and have that poor one will I because of my pity for you." The woman told her deeds in Heaven's Record Office, and she was given four white tablets on which her deeds were inscribed; and the rat tablet Towy took from her. "Faith and hope are tidy heifers," he said, "but a stallion is charity. Priceless Beybile I give you, sinner." As he moved away Towy cried in the manner of one selling by auction: "This is the beloved Beybile of Jesus. This is the book of hymns--old and new notations. Hymns harvest, communion, funerals, Sunday schools, and hymns for children bach are here. Treasures bulky for certain." For some he received three tablets each, for some five tablets each, and for some ten tablets each. But the gaudy Bible which was decorated with pictures and ornamented with brass clasps and a leather covering he did not sell; nor did he sell the gilt-edged hymn-book. Between the leaves of his Bible he put his tablets--as a preacher his markers--the writing on each tablet confirming a verse in the place it was set. His labor over, he chanted: "Pen Calvaria! Pen Calvaria! Very soon will come to view." Men and women gazed upon him, envying him; and those who had Bibles and hymn-books hastened to do as he had done. |
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