The Hazlehurst signal. (Hazlehurst, Miss.) 1883-1885, 1883-12-20

last Christmas Eve Just ten years ago,
and l don't care about trying II again. "
The Icy wind was sweeping down colder
than ever. and he began to feel strangely
numb and bcwildcred. Half-despair-
ing. and yet with an odd sense Of happi-
ness. he sank down upon flight OF low.
broad steps and leaned his head agains.
tho balustradc. Across the street no
could see some one dressing Christ
mas tree some ono with cherry ribbons
in her hair--and he smiled as he
languidly tried TO guess who II might
be; then no smiled again rs he counted
four little stockings hung up before the
mantel-piece.
A broad beam Of ruddy light flashed
out over the snow. A blufl-faced man
bent over him and shook him vigorous
IN. "Comc. my man. he said. this
won't do! Another half-hour and you d
never have heard the Christmas bells v
The man dragged him inside and looked
nj him half-curiously. half compassion
atcly. Tramp, eh?" he calculated.
"Wcll. even q tramp ought TO have
shelter night like this. Wait here till
you feel better"
The stranger looked stupidity around
him. Above his head rose n vaulted
roof supported by lofty columns around
which were wrcathed long strings OF
evcrgrcens, frightened here and there
by sprays Of flaming holly. Some
church, of course. but everything
looked strange and unfamiliar The
bluir-faced man stood on step-laddcI
busily engaged in fashioning In ever
greens motto ON tho wall. His guest
looked on. fascinated rs the sentence
grew under the makers deft fingers.
Unto us child is born-unto us n
Son"-it read ut last; and as its mean
ing grew upon him he groaned aloud.
The sexton, ~ he evidently was,
turned around pleasantly. Coming
round, I sec," he said. '.Wcll. now,
I've been thinking that it's hardly right
TO send YOU out again tonight. Sup
pose YOU stay and help me, and II see
YOU through on bed and breakfast"
"Why. you don't know anything
abou, me-" said the other. slowly.
I'm risk all that. Just come up
here and finish out this sentence.
Here's the rest Of 1t written out on this
piece Of paper.
II know it well enough don't
want the paper" said the stranger
roughly; then changing his tone, he
added; 81 beg your pardon for speak
ing hastily. just give me the greens
and I'll do my best"
"Well,. you are n queer chap" said
the sexton. rcllcctively, "but Jim
Davidson doesn't 20 back on his word,
and I'll do rs | said. Here are the
greens, and you'll find the holly over
there in the corne-."
The two men worked on in silence for
some moments; then came knock at
the door, and the sexton disappeared
for q moment. "Only the rector" he
explained. as he came back and met his
companions inquiring glance. "llc
always comes 20 the church Christmas
Eve and waits till the bells begin to
ring-lcastways' he's always done so
since he took charge here, and that's
nine years ago. don't know what he
does here and | suppose its his own
business. anyway. Well, my lad. and
what is IL now" turning To- boy who
had been vainly endeavoring to attract
his attention.
please. sir, and there's n gentleman
down ut your house that must see YOU
nj once-important business
"Tcll him To come up here, Jimmy.
IT'S nigh To twelve. and III have to be
on hand to ring the bells"
''lIc says, Mr.. Davidson, that he can't
possibly come up TO the church, but that
he won't keep YOU but moment"
"Well. | suppose | might run around
for n minute or So" hesitated the sen
ton. Then, turning To the stranger,
who had stood silently looking on:
you'll start the bells for me II
shouldn't get back in time. won't you?
Here are the ropes, and you can easily
get the knack. Ill be back, though.
| think. in time"
He threw on his ovcrcoat and started
for the door, then stopped. and turning
around with curious expression ON his
face. walked up to little closet set in
the wall. Closing the door, which was
partially open. he locked II, and slip
ping the key in his pocket went ont in
silence.
"Who's that in the church
with you. Davidson" inquired the
rector, as he put of his heavy overcoat
"Only n poor fellow that found
half frozen to death ON the steps. sir;
I'm keeping him with me to help dress
the church. and I'm thinking I'll help
him to lodging tonight. It's bitter
weather to be about outside"
"Quite right. You might ask him TO
come and see me tomorrow. Don't
let me be disturbed just now, though"
Rev. Arthur Drayton. rector of St.
Peters, raLed the Goals down in the
glowing CRATE and then, drawing up an
easy-chair, sat down before the fire. A
handsome man. most people would have
called him. Iron-gray hair and beard,
clear, clean-cut features, mouth some
what too much compressed, perhaps
but altogether face that cxacted re-
spect, IL nothing more. No one of his
numerous acQuaintances pretended To
really know him. His parishioners re-
>ptCtcu anu iooNCu UP W hhi, out tH'N
never offered him their confidence and
he never seemed TO expect II. At any
rate, he never showed the slightes; dis
position to bestow his upon them. He
lived apart, and people respected his
seclusion. His past history none knew.
although many con;ecturcd that he had
seen trouble. However, there are al
ways some people ready to set up any
number Of theories for any given set of
facts.
Rev. Arthur Drayton looked long and
earnestly into the glowing Goals, aud a
he looked his thoughts wandered back
to days that had long gone past, and
this Is what he saw. A young man just
entering upon his first pastoral charge,
strong in love and enthusiasm for his
calling. A year Of happiness that passed
like a dream, and then long days OF
main and sorrow that saw him bending