his horse would lay his tail over the
dashboard and travel like inspiration for days at a time up and down
the long country roads; then, suddenly, if there was a hurried message
to go somewhere to comfort a dying man or preach his funeral, the
creature would begin to limp as if he never expected to use but three
legs again. I believe William suspected the devil had something to do
with this diabolical gravel, for he never gave way to impatience as a
natural man would have done in such a predicament. Upon the occasion I
have mentioned, he helped the old hypocrite back into the stable with a
mildness that exasperated me as I watched with my hat on from the
window, for it was already past the time when we should have started.

"Silas is too lame to travel to-day," said he a moment later as he
entered the kitchen.

"But what will you do, William?" I exclaimed, provoked in spite of
myself at his serenity. "It will be dreadful if you miss your
appointment at the beginning of the meeting."

"I can do nothing but pray. Mine is the Lord's work. Doubtless he
will provide a way for me to get to it," he answered, withdrawing into
the parlor and closing the door after him.

I knew that meant wrestling with one of the traveling angels, and held
my tongue, but the natural temper in my blood was not so easily
controlled. I flopped down in the chair, laid my head upon the window
sill and yielded to tears. I was far along in my middle years then,
but never to the end did I get accustomed to the stubbornness of
William's faith. I always wanted to do something literal and effective
myself in the emergency. I seemed to be made so that I couldn't look
to God for help until I had worn myself out.

While I sat there, in a sort of tearful rage with William and the
horse, there was a sound of wheels at the front gate. I arose, hastily
wiping my eyes, and was just in time to face William's smiling
countenance in the parlor doorway.

"Mary, Sister Spindle is not well, and Brother Spindle has driven by to
offer us seats in his carriage."

Brother Spindle was the only man in the community who owned a carriage
and horses. I flung my arms around William's neck and whispered:

"Forgive me, William, I never can get used to it that the Lord is
illogically and incredibly good to you. But I am glad to tag along
after you in His mercies."

He had a gentle way of enjoying these triumphs over me. He would cast
the blue beam of his eye