Buchanan County bulletin. [volume] (Independence, Iowa) 1869-1891, 1877-11-02
thetic feeling, he stopped impulsively
and laid his hand upon the boys shoul-

UcT.
Frank, laddie, I'm only poor work
ingman, but you are just the age OF my
boy, and I'm sorry for you. Where
have you been? Not fresh from home
this morning in this plight" And he
looked at the lads untidy appearance.
Was the whole night not too long to
spend at Robinson's low drinking hole
with such fellows as Jack Potter, when
the dear mother, who would have yield
ed her life for you, was alone at home
watching and waiting for the only son,
who should be her comfort instead of
her disgrace, her blessing instead of her
bane?
Il know, Frank, that some would tell
me l was meddling with what was none
of my business, but you are too much of
a gentleman for that. | want to help
the needy. I can't do it with money,
for that don't possess; but take lit
tie counsel from me, if am only poor
workingman. You have the future be-
fore you; don't stain it all with sin"
Mr. Gray and the boy caught his
hand, you're the best friend I've got,
excepting my mother, if you are work
ingman. Look after me little, won't
you, as if I was Harry, for | have no
father?"
The promise was given in the tighten
ing hand grasp as they parted.
A few blocks further on and John
Gray heard quick scream of fear. He
sprang to the middle of the street, and
drew back the frightened child The la
dy with her, somewhat deaf, resisted
moment ere she saw the danger. All,
but that moment! The spirited horses
struck him down, and the carriage rolled
over the PROSTATE man.
Home-home they bore John Gray.
A few hours of agony, and his eyes clos
ed forever to earth Poor Jennie!
With grand flourish he was borne to
the church in an elegant rosewood cof-
fin, presented by the man whose careless
driver was responsible for John Gray's
death. John would rather it had been
pine box, for the balance of the mo-
ney would have made Jennie and the
children comfortable for awhile-his
body never would have felt the differ
ence. The clergyman eulogized in high
terms the workingman' herOism and
self-forgctfulness, likcning him to the
Master, and drawing therefrom texts
and illustrations for future use, while
many person, unused to stopping at
the plain dwelling, now turned in at the
door with word of sympathy, and then
passed on.
All was forgotten in week-no, not
quite all. Mrs. Barlow pressed we'll
filled purse in the broken hearted wild
ow's hand, saying, for his sake take it
for Bertha. | believe he has saved my
boy from ruin!" Frank Barlow, too,
came in, and kneeling by the cold clay,
prayed that the wOrkingman's God
might be his God, keeping him from sin
and evil
Time passed on, somewhat callousing
i'll kindness, the bleeding wounds in Jen-
ME Gray's heart, and making of her
working woman.
Harry love for natural history must
be crushed. A situation, sorely needed.
was found for him in counting-room,
and there he toiled on through life.
But it was the place God chose for him;
and once, twice, thrice, as the years
wore on, he stayed the hands of younger
men, who, but for him, would have bur
rowed, for little money borrowed, or
forged check, deep in hiding places of
sin.
Bertha lived, and talent rare, the
growth OF those long years of sickness,
came at her call. The muse inspired
her, and language and description flowed
from her pen as by inspiration. Many
weary one had cause to bless her for
comforting words written. Strangest of
all, Berthas genius was of that rare Or
der which could command its price.
Wills perseverance and love for the
profession finally enabled him to over
come all obstacles, and by slow, and, oh,
such toilsome climbing, at last reach en-
inence in the chosen work.
Little Annie became the wife of
Frank Barlow. Not poor workingman,
but one who chose the sacred profession
and proclaimed its truths in the by-ways
and hedges to the spiritually lame, halt
and blind. Reverence and worship for
your fathers memory, Annie, is what
first led me to love you" he said.
All this was the work of time. The
world took no note or account of the
long, weary days and sleepless nights
before it was accomplished; of the days
when rent must be paid, when -four and
meal gave out and hunger was daily
portion. No; the world took no note Of
it, and we won't 1t was only working
mans family, and when worse came to
worse, and they couldn't take care of
themselves, there was the county house
They didn't go there, though. God took
care of them, gave them brave hearts
and toiling hands, and after awhile the
world began to smile upon them.