They were quite poor, and wholly dependent upon the
labor of a son who worked away from home for others.
This son was at length taken sick with a fever, and
unable to minister to his parents’ wants.
This was in mid-winter, when storms were frequent and
the snows deep and lasting. One evening when
the storm was at its highest, this old couple found
themselves without a particle of food in the house.
Matters were desperate with them. They could see
but starvation staring them in the face. They
resolved upon prayer, having a firm trust in their
Heavenly Father, whom for many years they had been
humbly serving. They did not retire, but continued
in fervent prayer that God would send them food.
About two and a half miles distant lived a young married
man in comfortable circumstances, by the name of Joseph
Clason (the author of the story). He was not
at this time a Christian, although it was not long
after this he was converted, and has since lived an
eminently active and godly life. About 12 o’clock
on the night of the snow storm above mentioned, young
Clason awoke. His first thoughts were of old Mr.
Badgerow and his condition in that storm. His
mind became so impressed with the thought of him,
and so wrought upon that he could not again go to
sleep, although trying so to do. At length he
awakened his wife, told her that he was in trouble
about Mr. B., for fear he and his wife were starving.
She replied that if he would get right up and make
a light, she would prepare something, and that he
had better take it right down. Young C. did so,
taking with him a pail of provisions. After a
jaunt through the storm and snow in the dead hour
of night, he reached the old man’s cabin.
There he found a light burning. He knocked; the
door was opened by the wife. The old man was
fervently praying; but when he saw young C. with the
pail of provisions, he held up both hands and said,
“Now I know that God heareth prayer. Not
one mouthful have we in the house to eat. I know
that God sent you here.” Young C. staid
with the old couple until daylight. The conversation
revealed that about midnight the old man perceiving
that a storm had arisen, and that unless relief came,
which was not likely, they would starve, resolved to
appeal to his Heavenly Father, saying that God who
sent the ravens to feed Elijah would feed him if he
went to him in faith, and now God had heard his prayer,
and he blessed God that he could do so in all trouble
and trial.
The old man having asked C. how he came to visit them, he replied he didn’t know, but supposed God had sent him, as he had awoke and couldn’t again sleep on account of thought of him.
The incident made a serious and lasting impression on young C’s mind.
In the morning, as C. was returning home, he came by his father’s house; his mother, espying his pail, wished to know where he had been. He replied, “To feed the hungry.” His father spreading the incident, the neighbors all turned out and brought in enough provision to last them during several weeks, the old man being greatly loved and respected by his community, on account of his sterling Christian life and character.