The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1875-08-24
For the Heather.

On tne tram the other day very SOL
emn looking man, dressed in black and
carrying ha t-box, came along and
dropped into half ofmy seat.
at is d fine day." remarked, desir-
ing 10 be friendly.
at is fine day, but, young man, how
is it with your soul ?" he replied rolling
up his eyes and looking still more solemn.
| asked him what he meant, and he
answered.
"Where would you 90 if you died
How does your record stand in heaven ?"
told him that | was jogging along
peacefully like, paying my debts, saving
a little money, and dropping something
into the contribution box as it passed
THAT won't do-ah" he exclaimed, as
he folded his hands and closed his eyes.
"You're sinner, ah, baleful sinner
There is no mansion laid up for you in
the land beyond the skies ah Do you
ever pray-ah ?"
Once in great while, told you
"The devil is in your hoart-ah,' he
went on. "You pray not, neither do you
sing. Like flower you shall be cut
down, and the stem shall wither and de.
cay, and be seen no more among the
fields"
"What would you advise me to do 2'
| asked, feeling little weak.
II am but poor worm myself he
answered Deekly, like puuy insect.
"a cockroach, for instance" put in
as he paused.
"Only poor, struggling worm" he
went oD, never minding me" "yet am
trying to do my appointed work.
Away over the sea in Africa millions are
living in ignorance and vice. knowing
nothing Of Heaven, having no good in
their hearts, living like the beasts of the
field. In my poor humble way am try
ing to save few benighted hcathens-
trying to redeem few souls"
"lD what particular way | inquired.
"Partly by my prayers aud partly by
collecting money and buying Bibles to
ship to them, that they may have the
word oil ife."
There was pause for moment, and
then he laid his hand on my arm and
continued
Young man, the Lord loveih a cheer.
ful giver Out OF your abundance con-
tribute something for the cause of the
benighted. Even though you are not a
Christian, your good act will be put to
your credit in the land where all is Joy
and bliss"
-sh,d nIu II nc could change a S2U
bill and give me back S19,95 and he
turned away and seemed weary.
We ode on in silence for about half a
mile, and then he took striag from hi
pocket, laid it on his knee in waY to
make two separate loops in it. and then
he said
Young man, thou art a sinner, and
thou wilt not freely contribute to the
cause Of the benighted."
(Which the same is true murmur-
ed.
"On the part Of the hcatheu and my
cause, | desire to bet thee FIVE to three
that thou canst not pat thy finger in the
loop that will catch" he said, smiling
sweotly.
Its the old string game--seen it forty
times answered
Solely on account Of the benighted
heather do wish to bet five to three that
thou canst not locate the joker" he went
on, producing three thimbes and pea,
"Played it in the army for four years"
l replied, turning away with mournfuI
heart.
Then you are willing that the heather
shall struggle on like the beast of the
field and the birds of the air ?" he asked,
putting up his thimbe.
"Ie", truly | answered.
"'ris truly sad that one so youpg
should be so SINFUL" he murmured, aud
went to the other end Of the car and sue
coedel in fleeing an old man out of s34
and watch on the check game for the
cause Of the heather in Africa.