The Northern Pacific farmer. [volume] (Wadena, Minn.) 1878-1885, 1881-03-03

children and happy mothers welcoming the
! father as he returned, the whole scene
light, and then the face of that mother, as
she bid him good night, saying: Il have
nothing to live for now, Jim" Surely he
| was not the only cripple, he thought.
CROOK III.
Somewhat YEARLY "Crooked Jim" climb
ed the well-known stairway. Not day
but the sad affection of his life racked and
twisted him. His life was heroism. It
had long since became living sacrifice, y
precious as the alabaster hox of another
age. Its fragrance had been broken upon
the feet of needy disciples. He had his
hours of despair when his soul wrestled
with angels of darkness, when his spirit was
laid on the rack and all the dire inquisitors
threatened to tear him limb from limb.
Often when he had been most helpful to
| others, the sadness Of an unutterable des-
pair came upon him.
The old grandmother was sitting by the
fire, her wrinkled face under its snowy hair,
looking with eagersness for the coming feet;
she had been blind for years. The room
was very neat, the humble table was spread
for tea, and the kettle sang welcome. The
little niece was dancing about the room,
giving the last touches to the simple repast.
"Oh. Uncle JIM how late you are, and how
tired you look; do you love me Uncle Jim?"
and the little sprite took his hat, led him to
chair and hung about him with charm
ing devotion. "Daisy, dear, Percy De Ian
cy has gone home; the angels took him from
his beautiful home to one more beautiful
still" "Uncle," said the child, softly:
Don't YOU think he will be homesick away
from his mammal II can't believe it.,
child; he has been welcomed by great
multitude. They will soon be acquainted"
AS they sat down to tea Jim asked for Sam. I"
Hasn't been nigh to-day. said the old
lady, che promised to come right back.
He's got the dumb fever again, do be-
lieve." Sam" was the other member Of
the family, the brother Of Jim, an able
bodied man. intelligent, good workman,
but ruined for any continued accomplish
ment by terrible appetite. For months
then he would be gone to come back again
weak, discouraged, broken hearted. It was
only "Jim's" influence, the fervor of his
petitions that the man had not gone to utter
wreck.
That little room where the cripple slept
was an altar. The sun and the stars peered
in across few daisies and primroses. The
bare floor and scanty bed were distressingly
plain. A rare picture of the cruci6xion,
a gift from friend. hung on the wall. Be-
meath, on a bracket, a plain wooden cross,
and twining about it Madeira vine. On q
small stand lay an open bible and by it a
chair
This tenement house was an unsightly
habitation. The salt that saved it from en-
tire corruption was here. Not soul but
respected him, not one but had been inf1u-
enced by his life. This mans religion was
living epistle. Into this room there came
one who was peasant born, homeless,
friendless man. The cripple and he were
friends" They talked together in a way
that might shock some good people, but it
became the very gate of heaven to this bur-
dened man.
may not tell you how much this man &C.
complished. It is written in the book of
remembrance. The leaven of his life was
hidden in tenement house, but it furr ish-
ed bread for many in that great city. The
angels let down their ladder to his room and
assembled and descended before his awed
eyes. The tabernacle of his life was ruth
lessly torn and battered, but the spirit
dwelling within knew that it's wings were
eager for flight. Not reckless man or an
abandoned woman but honored "Crooked
Jim. Their better nature blushed in his
presence, and not few owed their reforma-
ton to his quiet but persistentinterest We
might sketch other days in his life, when the
hungry came for bread and were fed, but we
must forbear. There came time at last
when the earthly house began to crumble.
The pitcher from which SO many had drank
was breaking at the fountain.
X X
One morning he did not come out of the
little room when the breakfast was ready
and the old grandmother was seated. Daisy
went to call her uncle, but she came back
with awe struck face. He was kneel1ng
before the picture with his Bible; his fin
ger on the words, Neither shall there be
any more pain" his face lifted, rapt and
expectant, the sunlight falling upon his
head in glory, but he "had heard that
blessedest, best sound, the boat-keel graf
ing on the sands, and had entered within
the gates.
Il shall count myself happy said the
distinguished divine at the great funeral,
If can live as worthy a life as did this
pain racked man. His memory is fragrant
| to- day in all our hearts" Falc0nridge.
"Groavlery, Bleok House.
The Model Summer Resort.