Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1883-12-25
How Jake Found Him.

How Jake Found Him.
1t was Saturday morning, clear and cold.
The bells were ringing, and the people were
going into the churches in the upper part Of
the city, the same as on Sunday. A rag
ged, pale-faced boy loitered around the
door of one of them, and finally plucked up
courage to slide into the door and slip nm
observed into back seat. He was little
fellow, with auburn Il hair and light blue
eyes, and if he had been washed and comb
ed and welLclad, would have been pretty
boy; but he bore the marks of i'll usage and
had the forlorn air of that most pitiable OBJ
ject, neglected child.
He looked cautiously about him, and
when the organ began to sound seemed ut
terly COMPOUNDED. And no wonder, for
Little Jake had never been inside church
before in all his miserable life. He was no.
body's child, and lived down by the river with
an old man who starved him to make him
beg and beat him to make him steal. This
morning he had been driven forth without
breakfast and forbidden, with curses, to re-
turn until he got some money. He was
feverish and ill and shivered in the piercing
air, and with dull Indifference had taken
his way aimlessly from the filthy and po-
verty-stricken quarter where he lived toward
the broad avenues and beautiful homes of
the prosperous world, and in the same dull
way he drifted into the church.
Wreaths ofevergreen and scarlet holly and
exquisite flowers made the place beautiful
The organ pealed, the singers sang joyous
strains, for it was Christmas morning, the
gladdest time of the year to the happy, but
nothing to Little Jake, who had never heard
of it, but bitter, cold day when he had no
breakfast.
BY and by the minister rose and began to
talk. His voice was soft and pleasant, and
in simple way he told the story of the first
Christmas. Little Jake was all ears. He
enlarged on the fact that Christ to whom a
wonderful star guided the wise men was
the richest and most generous Of beings; that
one had but to ask to receive from him the
choicest treasures. So simple and gracious
was his language, SO hearty his assurance
of welcome, that hope sprang up in the
heart of the child and he felt if he could
cat and some money given him so he should
not be beaten when he returned home.
The service was soon over, the people be-
gan to go out of the church and Little Jake
went out with them. He hung around the
door until every one was gone, hoping to see
the soft-voiced minister, but he went out by
the vestry door on the other side of the
church. Little Jake meant to ask him
where Christ lived. After shivering around
long time he was forced to give him up and
make up his mind to ask some one else. He
was timid child and met with SO many
rebuffs when he went out to beg that he
shrank from approaching people on any err
= rand and he passed great many person as
AIa Il I, L.
" could summon courage to make his in
quiry. Finally, however, pair of young
girl friends came along, arm in arm, walking
slowly and deeply absorbed IN confidential
conversation. Little Jake approached them.
fsDo you know Christ ?'' he asked, timid-
ly. They gave him no answer, but with a
startled air hastened their steps, turning
once or twice to look at the child. He
sighed and wandered on. 1t was very cold
and nearly every one walked briskly, and
Little Jake was too timid to arrest their
steps. An old man leaning on cane SEEM
ed likely person to listen to and answer
his questions, and the child plucked up cour-
age to ask him where Christ lived.
Speak louder, little feller," he said, put
ting his hand on his ear.
Little Jake repeated the question, accent
: ing the name. An expression of rebuke ap-
peared On the aged face.
you're bad little boy, Pm afeared,"
he said. 'Don't you know it's wicked to
swear? And on Christmas Day, too" and
he shook his head and went sorrowfully
away.
The short winter afternoon was wearing
to close before he made another attempt.
He turned the matter over in his mind and
concluded to vary his form of address A
stout German wonan's honest face embold-
ened him to accost her.
''Please ma am, be you acquainted with
Mr.. Christi" said a plaintive voice at her
side. She paused at once.
''Christ, Christ" she said, with an effort
to remember. s'Weuld he be German?"
Little Jake didn't know
"What would you of him, mein kind?'
ssHe's agoin' to give me some money!"
said poor Little Jake.
Il not know him, but give you one PEN
n.y." and she gave it and FASTENED on.
A finely dressed lady dropped her hand
kerchief; he picked it up and ran after her
Plucking her cloak to arrest her attention
he held out the handkerchief
''It's yours, ma am, p" he said simply.
She felt in her muff. s'Why, so it is; I'm
much obliged, little boy"
please" began Little Jake, timidly,
could you
OF course I'd give YOU something if had
my poItmonnaie," she said impatiently,
''but haven't and you'll have to take the
word for the deed, ~ and she hurried away.
Tears came to Little Jake's blue eyes.
II didn't want nothing only to ask where
he lived, . he thought.
Night was falling, and he had neither
begged nor found Christ, and the dread of re-
turning to his wretched home empty handed
embroidered him to make another appeal He
put his question to two prosperous looking
men, and the pleading voice and little wan
face ought not to have appealed in vain,
whatever the question might be.
"Get out, you little vagabond," said one,
and the other. 'What are the police for
I'd Ike to know" and their angry voices
were soon lost in the distance.
1t was night, and the stars were out in
the frosty heaven. Little Jake looked up
the long street, and above where it seemed
to come to point in the sky shone the mild
lamp of the evening star. His head throb-
bed with pain, his weary limbs ached, his
feet and hands were benumbed with cold,
but the star filed his soul with fresh cour-
age.
cts his STAR" was his glad thought
''The man said it stopped over the place
where he is, Pn go there" and he started
off up the street.
Block after block was YEARLY passed. and
still the star was far, far off. Poor, patient
Little Jake was very weary, wandering all
day without food, and the porch of a church
he was passing looked like refuge from
the wind, where he might rest a moment
He climbed the steps and sank down-a lit
tie huddled heap in the corner
Couldn't find him tonight" he mutter-
ed. In the mornin' land Little Jake
was asleep.
Presently it began to snow and showed
all night, and the wind drifted it into the
porch and covered Little Jack with soft
white coverlet. The city clocks struck all
the hours of the night and it was Sunday