Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1883-12-26
How Jake Found Him.

the upper part Of the city, The same as
on Sunday. A ragged, pale'faced boy
oitered around The door Of one Of them,
and finally plucked up courage to slide
into the porch and gradually TO edge To-
TO the door and slip unobserv ed into a
back seat. He was a little fellow, with
auburn hair and light blue eyes. aud II
lie had been washed and eOmbed and
well-clad, would have beeu a pretty
boy. but lie bore the marks OF i'll usage
and had the forlorn air Of that most
piliab:e object, neglected child.
He looked cautiously about bim, and
when the organ began to sound seemed
utterly confouu ded. And no wonder,
for Little Jake had never been inside a
church before in all hi. miserable life.
He was nobody's child, and hved down
by the river with an old man who
starved him 10 make Inn teg aud beat
him TO make him steal. THIS morning
he had been driven forth without break
fast and forbidden, with curses, 10 re-
turn Until lie got some money. He was
teyerish and i'll and shivered In the
D lercipg air, aud with dull indifference
b ad taken bis way aimlessly from the
6llhy and poverty-stricken quarter
where be lived toward The broad avenue
and beautiful homes Of the prosperous
" orld. and in The same dull way had
drifed into The church.
Wreaths Of evergreen and scarlet
holly and exquisite flowers made the
nlace beautiful. The organ pealed the
singers sang Joyous strains, for it was
Christmas morning, the gladdest time
of tie year 10 the happy, but nothing
to Little Jake, " 10 had never heard OF
f. but a bitter, cold day when he bad
no breakfast.
By and by the minister rose aud be-
Oan 10 talk. His voice was soft and
nleasant. AID in a simple way he told
the story CT the first Christmas. Little
lake was all ears. He enlarged on the
fact that Christ 10 whom a wonderful
star g lded lie wise men vas the richest
and most generous OF beings; that one
had hut 10 ask TO receive from him The
choicest treasures. SO simple and
gracious was bis language, so hearty
his assurance Of welcome, that hope
spraug up 10 the heart OF tue child and
he felt if lie could only get 10 Chlist be
would have plenty to cat aud some
money given him so lie should not be
beaten when lie returned home.
The service was soon over, the peo'
pie began 10 20 cut Of tie church and
Little Jake went out with them. lie
hung around the door uutil every Cne
was gone, hoping 10 see the soil-yolceo
minister. but lie went out by the vestry
door on the other SIDE Of The church,
Lille Jake meant to ask him where
Christ Lived. After shiyenug around
Ions time be was forced 10 give him Up
and make up bis mind TO ask some ole
else. He was limid child and mel
will 60 many rebuhs when be went ou'
to beg that he shrank from approach
ing people on any errand and be passes
!, n great many persons as he wsLIeret
nm aud down the streets before he
|, c,uld summon courage 10 make his ln'
curry. Finally, however, a pail O.
Young girl fiji, ,nds came along, arm II
arm, walkiug slowly aud deeply aosor
} ted IN confidential conversatlon. Lltu'
Jake approached them.
DO you know ChristT he asked
mildly. They gave him no answer
tut with a startled air hasIeued theN
neus. turning once or twice 10 look =
he child. He sighed aud wand, r,'
IN. 4, was very cold and aud nearl,
,,ery one walked brisklY, and LlIu'
J K. vas 100 umid 10 arrest thei
cps. An Old man leaning on CAN
seemed a likely person 10 listen 10 ant
saer his questio us, and The chill
picked up courage to ask him wher
Christ lived.
: Speak louder, little feller,' he said
patling his hand en- his ear.
Little JAKE repeated the question
. accenung the name. An Expression o
d re5uke appeared on the aged face.
YOU'RE a bad little boy. In
sf red,' he said. Don't ycu know
q it's vicktd d 10 swear? Aud on Christ
. mas Day, too,' aud he shook his heat
8 and went sorrowfully away.
The short winter afternoon was wear
e inc 10 a close before he made anothe
= alt, mpt. He turned the matter owe
q 10 his mind and concluded 20 vary hi
form of address. A stout German
wowau's honest face cmboldened hid
! 10 accost her.
3 Please ma am, be you aoquainte'
with Mr.. Christ?' said plalnuh VOC
at her side. She paused at once.
Christ, Christ she SAID, with al
fort to remember. Would he h
J German 2
Little Jake dldu', know.
: What would you Of him, mein ri d!
J He's agoln' to give ME some money,
! said poor Lutte Jake.
Il not know him. but give you on
4 penny and she gave 1t and hastene'
on.
I A finely dressed lady dropped he
r handkerchief, he picked it up and raj
after her. Plucking Ler cloak 10 arres
j., her attention he held out the handker
chief.
$ It's you're, ma'am,' he sid simply
Il She felt IN her muff. w by, 80 1t !:
j Pm much obliged. little bOl.'
q ,,,loo.o hooan T. Tile Like umidl