Millheim Journal. [volume] (Millheim, Pa.) 1876-1984, 1884-11-20
"Ah ! he to * to praying. did he p,

"Ah J he took to praying, did he 2''
"NOt for my benefit, in the least.
You see"-the lawyer crossed hrs right
foot over his left knee, and began
s;roking his lower leg up and down, as
if to help to state his case concisely-
''you see, found the little house easi-
ly enough, aud knocked on the onter
door which stood ajar, but nobody
heard me. so stepped into the little
hall, and saw through the crack az an
other door just as coy q sitting room
as there ever was. ~ Eg ai eaH
"There on a bed, with her silver
head way up high on the pillows, was
an old lady who looked for all the word
just as my mother did the last time
ever saw her on earth. Well I was
right on the point of knocking, when
she said as clearly as could be +; ''come,
father, now begin. I'm all Ieadyn-and
down on his kneess by her side went
an old white-haired man, still older
than his wife. should judge aud /
couldn't have knocked then for the life
of me. Well he began first he re-
minded God that they were still His
submissive children, mother and he,
and no matter what He saw fit
to bring upon them they shouldn't
rebel at His will of course twas going
to be terrible hard for them to 90 out
homeless in their old age, specially
with poor mother so sick and helpless,
but still they'd seen sadder things than
ever that would be. He reminded
God in the next place how different all
might have been if only one of their
boys had been spared them then his
voice kind of broke. and thin, white
hanG stole from under the coverlet and
moved slowly over bis snowy hair
then he went on to repeat that nothing
could be so sharp again as the parting
with those three sons-unless mother
and he should be separated. But at
last he fell 10 comforting himself with
the fact that the dear Lord knew it was
through no fault Of his own that moth
er and he were threatened with the
loss of their dear little home, which
meant beggary and the almshouse, o
place they prayed to be delivered from
entering, if it could be consistent with
Gods will and then he fell to quoting
multitude of promises concerning the
safety of those who put their trust in
the Lord yes, / should say be Legged
hard in fact it was the most thrilling
plea to which l ever listened and at
last he prayed for Gods blessing on
those who were about to demand JUS
tice"-the lawyer stroked his low
er limb in silence for moment or
:wc, theu continued, more slowly than
ever
"And-I-believe- rather go to
the poorhouse myself, tonight, than to
stain my heart and hands with the
blood of such a prosecution as that.
Little afraid to defeat the old
mans prayer, ell P" queried the ClI-
ent.
''Bless your soul, man, you couldn't
defeat it ~ roared the lawyer. sit
doesn't admit of defeat I tell you he
left it all subject to the viii Of God:
but he left no doubt as to his wishes
in the matter claimed that we were
told to make known our desires unto
God but of all the pleading ever
heard, that beat all. You see I was
taught that kind of thing myself in my
childhood, and why was sent to hear
that prayer I'm sure I don't know, but
l hand the case over"
"I wish" said the client, twisting
uneasily, ''you hadn't told me about
the old fellows prayer"
"Why So" a
"Well want the money confound-
edly the place would bring, but was
taught the Bible all straight when
was youngster, and I'd hate to run
counter to such harangue as that you
tell about. l wish you hadn't heard a
word or it (; and another time
wouldn't listen to petitions not intend.
ed for your ears"
The lawyer smiled.
"My dear fellow" he said, you're
wrong again /; it was intended for M
ears. and yours, too, and God Almighty
intended it. My old mother used Co
sing about Gods moving in myster-
ious way, remember"
"Well my mother used to sing it,
too," said the claimant, as he twisted
his claim papers in his fingers. 'You
can call in the morning. if you like, and
tell mother and him the claim has been
metz
''In mysterious way" added the
l., yvar smiling -Hbriet;o,o HoSnn