Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1875-02-06

On the train the other day very solemn
looking man. dressed in black, and carrying
a hatbox, came along and dropped into half
my seat
at is fine day" l remarked, desiring to
be friendly.
at is a fine day, but, young man, how is
it with your soul :" be replied rolling up
his eyes and looking still more solemn.
asked him what he meant, and he an
swerel;
"Where would you go to if you died !?
How does your record stand in HcavcnF'
| told him that | was jogging along
peacefully like, paying my debts, saving a
little money, ana dropping something into
the contribution as it passed.
THAT won't do--ah," he said, us he fold
ed his hands and closed his eyes. YOURS
Il sinner, ali, baleful sinner. There is no
mansion laid up for You in the land beyond
the skies-ah. 20 yon ever pray-ah ?"
Once in a great while,'' told him.
"The devil is in your heart-.lh," he
went on, You pray not, Mother do you
sins. Like II flower YOU shall be cut down,
and the stem shall withor and decay. and
be seen no more among tho fields"
What would you advise me to do?"
asked, feeling little weak.
81 am but a poor worm myself = he an
swcred meekly, like unto Il puny insect"
y, |
he paused.
"Only Il poor, struggling wor-um," he
went on, never mindinS me, yet | am try
ing to do my appointed work, Away ovci
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 trying to save Il
few benighted hcathen-trying to redeem
Il few souls
"In what particular way" I inquired
Partly by my prayers, and partly by
my collecting money and buying Bibles to
ship to them, that they may have the word
of life
There was a pause for moment and
then he laid his hand on my arm and con-
tinucd:
young man, the Lord loveth a cheerful
giver! Out of your abundance contribute
something for the cause of the benighted
Even though you are not Christian. your
good act will be put to your credit in the
land where all is joy and bliss"
asked him if he could change a $50 bill
and give me back $l9,95 and he turned
away and seemed weary.
We rode on in silence for about mile,
and then he took Il string from his pocket
laid it on his knee in Il 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 benghted."
(Which the same is true" l murmured
son the part of the heather and my
cause, desire to bet thee five to three that
thou canst not put thy finger in the loop
that will CATCH" he said, smiling sweetly.
ITS the old string game-secn it forty
times" answered.
"Solely on account of the benighted
heather do l wish to bet five to three that
thou canst not locate the JOKER he went
on, producing three thimblcs and pea.
played it in the army for four years" +"
l replied, turning away with mournful
heart.
"Then you are willing that the heather
shall struggle on like the beasts of the field
and the birds of the air?" he asked, putting
up his thimble.
"Yea, truly" | answered.
"'Tis sad that one so young should be so
sinful" he murmurcd, and went to the
other end of the car and succeeded in flcec-
ing an old man out of S34 and IL watch on
the check game-for the cause of the heath
en- in Africa.