Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1884-01-05
SHEPHERDSOWN JEFFERSON COUNTY, WEST VIRGINIA. SAIURDAl JAW

this. Wait here till You feel better.
The stranger looked stupidity around
him. Above his head rose vaulted roof
supported by lofty columns around which
were wreathcd long strings of eyergreenS,
frightened here and there by sprays of
flaming holly. Some church, OF course,
but everything looked strange, unfamiliar.
The bluff-faced man stood on 4 step-ladder
busily engaged in fashioning in ever
greens q motto on the wall. His guest
looked on, fascinated as the sentence grew
under the makers deft fingers. Unto
us child is born-unto us Son"-it
read at last: and rs its meaning grew
upon him he groaned aloud.
The sexton, as lie evidently was, turned
around pleasantly. Coming round,
see." he said. "Well. now, I've been
thinking tha. it's hardly right to send
you out again tonight. Suppose you stay
and help me, and I'll see you through on
bed and breakfast
"Why, you don't know anything about
IN risk all that. Just come up here
and finish out this sentence. Here's the
rest of it written ont on this piece of pa
per-"
Il know it well enough don't want
the paper" said the stranger roughly
then changing his tone, he added, Il beg
your pardon for speaking hastily just
give me the greens and III do my best
"Well, You are queer chap" said the
sexton, rellccJiyely, "but Jim Davidson
doesn't go back on his word, and I'll do
as | said. Here are the greens, and You II
find the holly over there in the corner.
The two men worked on in silence for
some moments; thea came knock al the
door. aud the sexton disappeared for 4
moment. "Only the rector, he explain
ed. as he came back and met his compan-
ions inQuiring glance. "llc always comes
TO the church Christmas Eve and waits
till the bells begin to rins-lcastways he's
always done so since lie took charge here,
and that's nine years ago. | don't know
what he does here, and suppose it's his
own business, anyway. Well, my lad,
and what is it now?" turning to boy
who had boen vainly emdeavoring to at
tract his attention.
please, sir, aud there's 4 gentleman
down at your housc that must see YOU at
oncc-imporyant business"
"Tell him to come up here, Jimmy. It's
nigh 10 twelve, and I'll have to be Oh
hand to ring the bells
''!e says, Mr.. Davidson, that he cant
possibly come up to the church, but that
he won't keep you but moment"
"Well, suppose | might run around
for minute or SO, hesitated the sexton.
Then, turning to the stranger, who had
stood silently looking on: you'll start
the bells for me il shouldn't get back in
time, won't you? Here are the ropes,
and you can easily get the krack. iii be
back, though, think, in time"
lie threw on his oyercoat and started
for the door, then stopped, and turning
around with curious expression on his
face, walked up to a little closet set in the
wall. Closing the door, which was par
tally open, he locked it, and slipping the
key in his pocket went out in silence.
"Who's that in the church with you,
Davidson?" inquired the rector, rs he put
off his heavy oyercoat.
"Only poor fellow that Il 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
a lodging tonight. It's bitter weather to
be about outside"
sQuite 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. Pc
tcr's, raksd the Goals down in the glowing
CRATE, and then drawing up an easy chair
sat down before the Dire. No one Of his
numerous acquaintances pretended to re-
ally know him. His parishoners respect
ed and looked up TO him, but they never
offered him their confidence, and he never
seemed to expect it. lie lived apart, and
pcoplc respected his seclusiGn. ills past
history none .knew, although many con-
iectured that lac had seen trouble.
Rev. Arthur Drayton looked long and
earnestly into the glowing Goals, and as he
looked his thoughts wandered back to days
that had long gone past, and this is what
ho saw. \ young man just entering upon
his fret pastoral charge, strong in love
AID enthusiasm for his calling. a year
of happiness that passed like dream, aud
then long days OF pain and sorrow that
saw him bending over the bedside OF his
wife, watching her drift away from his
strong yet, ah. how helpless grasp! a
time of blank uuconsciousness, and thsn
the laughter Of his baby son ringing in
his ears called him back TO take up the
burden oil life again. a sweet cbild's face
with big black eyes and long clustering
curls comes before him now. His eyes
are growing dim, and when he looks again
IT has disappeared. The years roll by all
too soon, aud now the night is coming on.
It is in his old church and he is looking
down sternly-uuforgivingly-on his son
bending for pardon at his feet. There
come hard and bitter words that he would
fain forget; then the door slams and he is
standing alone IN the deserted church lis
tening to tile sounding mOckery OF the
Christmas bells.
He pushel back his chair from the fire
and covered his face with his hands. The