The Fremont weekly journal. [volume] (Fremont, Sandusky County, Ohio) 1867-1877, 1875-05-14

had been familiar ever since her baby
hood-Joe Handel, the village black
smiths son,-Joe Handel, lad when
Nell was baby, a young man now; and
it was for Joe she watched sounwearing-
" that summer day, watched and pray
ed. v III -
1t came about in this way. The even
ing before Nell had heard voices--her
mothers, and surely it was Joe's too;
but with tone that made her call with
eagerness, 'Mother motherl tell me, is
that JoeG" and there was something In
her mothers reply that made Nell's eyes
fill with tears, her great heart beatquick
with fear. al
eyes, it is Joe, Nell, but not the Joe
my little Nell used to know;that Joe was
an innocent lad" and Mrs. Wilson's
voice sank almost into whisper; ''but
now he is man, who night after night,
day after day, sells theliquor that browns
mems souls in perdition, and drinks the
same cup himself" t
Nell but half grasped the reproach
concentrated in the words, yet enough
she did understand to lead her, spite her
feeble strength, to rise from her low
seat and eagerly stretch her weak, tremb-
ling hands out towards Joe, as she
asked: IN
"Tell me, do youl--ohl do you1" And
there they stood, with the starlight deep
ening about them, the child and the
young man, the child so weak in body,
so strong in faith-the young man 50
strong in the vgior of his youth, but,
alasl weak--oh, so weakl Only for a
moment Joe's answer was delayed; then
it came:
eyes, Nell, am afraid I do"
Why was the room so silent after that
What was the matter with Nelll Why
did she stand so still, clinging to Joe fo1
support. Why were her eyes closedi
Why, because in that moment Nell, little
Nell, was talking with Christ. Was this
why, minute later, the tears were
brushed from her eyes, Why, with her
slow, faltering step, she turned away
from Joe, asking softly: NOV
'Mother, please, ight2"
And the mother brought the lamp and
held it, as Nell bent down over the little
red box where she kept her treasurers, -
not very much, not much worth the keep
ing, yet they were precious to Nell; from
among them she took only e tiny book,
and then with smile lighting up her
face, where the tears still fingered, again
she approached Joe, saying:
"Joe, dear Joe, win you do something
for me, little Nell2 Will you put your
name in my little book and promise me
you won't taste it, or ask others to taste
it, ever again (and they both knew, the
young man and child, what that it
meanD. VIII you promise me that YOU
will try to be good again and love God7
If you try, know you can, for I have
asked Christ to help you" " 8 UT
Did the child-like faith that sounded
in that brief word for, kindle the first
ray OF the star that is Nell's nowl q
With something between smile and
a frown, something half like amusement
half like vexation, Joe replied: "
"What will you do for me, little Nell2
What will you give me if 1 do all this
for you2"
No wonder Nell's face clouded with
those words; no wonder her heart beat
quick again, as she thought what had
she to give to Joe; not one among her
treasures would he care for; no wonder
again tears filed her eyes, as she whis-
pered: ~. r.-s. .-- .-
II have not thing to give you, Joe,
but I will love you, and Christ will be so
glad-so glad" -
And Joe,-just at first he laughed at
Nell's words,-what did she mean, that
childl Did she think for such reason
he would give up his cup, give up the
most lucrative part of all his trade. Yet,
when he parted from Nell, "a minute later
he called back just before the gate
closed: H a.' -'3- ,.ao" ,il
"Ill thing about it, Nell, perhaps I'll
come tomorrow, and do as you want. "
Then Joe had gone down the village
street whistling a gay tune; and Nell, for
long that night she lay with closed eyes,
but wide awake soul praying for Joe,-
for somehow Nell could not sleep.
Neither did Joe Handel, for, strive
though he did to forget them, over and
over in his heart sounded Nell's words:
'If you try, 4 know you can, for 1 have
lsked Christ to help you"
81 have asked Christ to help YOU"
Yes, surely those words, spoken by a
'hild, whose life numbered scarce'twelve
hndled star that all through
he ages of eternity will shine in little
NelPs crown of rejoicing. 5t.I
Now You know why it was that Nell
watched that livelOng day sure, because
ihe trusted Christ that Joe would come.