Dodgeville chronicle. [volume] (Dodgeville, Wis.) 1862-current, 1864-03-31
SPEAKING THROUGH TEARS
BY r. S. ARTHUR.

BY T. s. ARTHUR.
Old Mr.. Malcom was a stern, serious
man. Almost from the beginning, life
had gone roughly with him. The young
human plant had not grown up in hot.
house, carefully sheltered and tenderly
nurtured but out on a bleak hillside,
where the rough winds compacted every
fibre Of its nature, and twisted it into
unhandsome shapes-where the hotsuns
dried up its moisture and stunted its
growth, Bnt the roots struck down
deeply and took firm hold. There was
strength, and toughness, and tenacity /;
i though neither beauty nor grace.
With no heart to love him, and no
hand to guide him into safe paths, Mr..
Malcom went astray in the first years Of
early manhood-he went very far astray,
debasing and degrading himself. A
rough, hard, strong -willed young man,
he brooked no remonstrances or re-
proofs; and if force of any kind were
brought against him, he fought his way
through with fierce strength that made
him dangerous antagonist
A new circuit preacher came into the
neighborhood where he lived, when he
was about twenty-five years of age, and
held meetings in the school -house-a
man of more than usual earnestness,
who had great power in speaking Con
siderable interest in spiritual things was
awakened. Malcom heard him talked
about, and, as was usual with him, when
religion or ministers was the theme, an
swered scofingly. Some of his acquaint-
ances tried to get him to the school
house on Sunday to hear the new preach
er; but he preferred the tipping shop
and vicious companions.
One day, while the preacher still lin
gered in this part Of his circuit, Malcom
met him in the road. They were alone.
The preacher had heard Of Malcom, and
Malcom had heard of the preacher
both men being noted in their way.
The preacher stopped, with his mild,
calm eyes fixed on Malcom's face. NAL
com scowled and moved on.
"My brother" said the preacher,
kindly, and hell out his hand
"Don't bother me, you sanctimonous
old hypocrite T. exclaimed Malcom, fac
ing round and confronting the preacher.
He looked fierce and threatening.
ave are all the children Of one Fa-
ther," answered the preacher in a low,
calm voice, still holding out his hand
In his blind passion, Malcom struck
the preachers hand, accompanying the
act Of violence with an oath of such
deep profanity that the preacher shud-
dered and turned pale He was true
servant of his Divine Master-of Him
who, while on earth, went about doing
good. The blow did not hurt him half
SO much as the evidence it gave of the
mans fearful depravity He did not
feel it as aimed at himself, but at the
Lord whose minister he was.
The minister stood still, with his clear,
penetrating eye resting on the man. A
tender sorrow yelled his face.
"You have hurt me here, my friend" !"
he said, gently, but not weakly or tim
idly, laying his hand against his breast.
; "My hand does not feel the blow you
gave but my heart is aching. I was
solicitous for your good held out my
hand, and said, Brother II wanted to
win you back to our Fathers house,
that you might dwell therein forever,
good and happy. But you struck at and
reviled me"
The good mans eyes were dim-his
voice was low and tender-he was speak
ing through tears. When man thus
speaks, his words have power. Nal
CONS whole aspect changed in an in
slant. The demon went out of his heart; !;
and mild, repentant spirit looked
through his eyes.
"My brctherP' said the preacher,
again extending his hand. Malcom now
accepted the profered grasp of good
will. "My brother son Of our common
father in heaven!" added the preacher,
still speaking through tears, 'swhy sho d
we stand apart? What is it that comes
between us ?-Evil or good r"
civil, and not good" replied NAL
com, in voice so changed that it sound
ed new in his own ears.
"Put it away, and come over upon
our side" said the preacher. There was
a thrilling appeal in his tones. "You
are a strong man, and we want YOU.
God wants you; and He is calling you
now through His servant. He has work
for you to do; and all who do His work
have precious reward"
| The two men sat down by the road
side, and talked long together; then,
going into the woods, where human eyes
might not see them, tney knelt, and the
preacher besought Gods mercy and for
giveness for His long -erring but now
repentant son. sa3 q - @
From that time, Maleom's feet walked
in another way He left the paths of
Il vioo ond sins and haoa,o IN oo+;vo