Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1879-01-08

still fearful and despairing. For this
latter class John had the least sympa-
thy. Crying over ones sins was to him
foolish wasting Of the time which
should be spent in conquering them.
AS his eyes wandered over the little
company they fell upon q young girl
who sat apart from the rest, at no great
distance from him. He noticed that
from time to time she glanced uneaslly
at the clock, as if the minutes were fly
ing too swiftly for her. 1885,. t.....
He could never tell what it was that
made him go and take q seat beside
her, but it was probably the half-appeal-
ing look Of the young face. 1t might
have been a pretty face had it not been
SO thin and careworn. .....-.. ..fE
care you waiting for any one!' he
asked, kindly. -..-.... ...-..... ......
'I wanted very much to speak with
Mr.. Doane, but be is engaged" e.5H
"And will be for some time, l fear"
looking at Robert, who was in deep con-
versatiOn with an aged man..
"There is gentleman who seems to
be unoccupied, he added. with glance
at one Of the brethren, thin, sharp
be standing in the aisle. ...,..
"Thank you," with an amused look,
II do not care to talk with Dean Jor-
dom" s s.r.-a arn ..-a .. .,. ?. t...
Can | do anything for you?' ~
Not until the words were spoken did
John realize the strangeness of the in
quiry. It was too late to recall them,
however, and he was by no means sure
that he wished to do so, even if he
could. S." H..s
"I-don't-know." : .f'"..
She looked into his face as he spoke.
1t was a trustworthy face, as her black
| eyes were not slow in discovering.
81 want to know-whether l am a
Christian or not" -r
''Do | love the Lord or no?" repeated
John, thinking of the familiar words
of an old hymn, which he did not like.
:'Yes that's Just it. Sometimes l
think do; and then get SO tired and
cross that it seems as if l hadn't a bit of
love in me for anybody"
The words would have made him
smile if the girlish voice had not been
just little tremulous in its tone.
II do not feel strong to bear things"
she went on, hesitatingly. 81 have to
make believe at home all the time, for
father is sick, and the children look to
me for everything"
slave you no mother?" asked John,
pityingly.
"My mother died three years ago. [
M the mother now. Mothers have to
be strong, you know, for the childrens
sake; but sometimes when [ am alone
in my chamber, seem to see the days
coming along, all crowded SO full Of
everything, and they almost stif1e me-"
Poor little girll'' thought John. "But
only one comes at a time" he said,
soothingly. ....... !. ........
II know it. but there are SO many of
them. But try to think" she con-
tinued, earnestly, "Of what mother used
to say when | went to her with my
troubles: Look for God, and you will
find him. He is always looking for
you" And I do look for Him."
"And you find Him." said John, en-
couragingly. -a-
Sometimes-it really seems-as if |
did. 1 feel willing to bear everything
for his sake-and mothers. Then |
dare to hope I am Christian; but
things will grow hard again. The chill
dren are troublesome, perhaps, or
fathers toast isn't just right. | get dis
couraged and put out Of patience. /
can't be good all the time, but want to,
oh, so much. What should you think
about it ?" a... .<.E
The child-ike simplicity Of the ques-
ton touched John inexpressibly. T..
II think you have found Him. In
your bright days you recognized him.
In your dark days you must be still and
wait, not thinking for a moment that
he will let you 60"
"And you think | am Christian?"
"Do not doubt for an instant. But
here comes Mr.. Doane. He will help
you better than [ can.
He moved away as he spoke, and
Robert seated himself beside the young
girl. They conversed earnestly togeth-
er for a while, during which John saw
the black eyes brighten, though there
were tears in them. Then, as it was
getting late, she joined little party of
her friends, who had waited for her,
and he and Robert passed out together.
"What did you say to that child?"
he asked, as they left the shadow of the
little church behind them. 81 hope
you gave her your benediction."
" [ asked her if she could not say
with me, just then and there, Lord, [
give myself to Thee. I trust Thee for
ever and ever" sizes
"And she said"
'She was afraid. It was too solemn
She did not dare. Then asked if she
could trust him day by day, feeling that
whatever he sent was right and good;
and she said yes, though she was cross
and disneartened sometimes, she truly
thought she could"
"Cross and disheartened." repeated
John, thinking of the sick father, the
children and the "stihing" days.
" Robert, you didn't tell her she was not
a Christian"
"Of course not. l told her that God
was with her every day; that the very
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