A resting place and safe
protection were all that were offered. The inn was in charge of one
caretaker. There were no other servants.
As the traveler, whose name was Joseph, drew near he found to his
dismay that he could not even make his way through the crowd to the
gate keeper, who was guarding the one entrance to the inn.
He decided to leave Mary, his wife, in the company of a family with
whom he had been talking while he made an effort to gain entrance.
When at last he reached the man in charge, he found it was just as he
had feared. The inn was full--there was no room for them there.
In vain he urged; he told of his own line of ancestors; of the noble
line from which his wife descended. The answer was always the same:
"There is no room."
At last he pleaded for Mary, his wife. He told the man in charge that
she was not strong, that she had come a long, long way and was very
tired; and urged that some place be found for her. He feared the
results if she should be compelled to stay in the open all night.
So earnestly he pleaded his case that at last the man said, "I have no
room and yet I cannot turn you away; come with me and I will find you
a place in the stable."
Joseph then found Mary and they and the ones with whom she had been
tarrying went together to the stable and there made themselves
comfortable for the night.
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