St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1885-06-18
Who Was the Coward.

and Ed. Clark were camping out for a
week This was the first day, and they
had worked hard to get settled by
night. And now, when supper was
over they were gathered around the
door of the tent, very tired, talking.
II never liked anything better" Will
said.
~ never liked anything half s.
WELL" cried Oscar.
Ed was looking into the shadows of
the wood near by.
Boys he almost whispered. ''we're
miles from Il house.
''Of course we are" replied Tom.
"That'~ the fun" rejoined Oscar.
Not afraid, are You ?" asked Will,
CONTEMPORARY
NO" he answered, hesitatingly,
''but I'm glad haven't to go into the
woods
81 wouldn't be afraid to go there
alone ut midnight" cried Tom.
.'Nor L. Chimed in Osctr.
''Nor L. boasted Will.
eve wouldn't have had You with MS
if we'd known you are Il coward, was
Toms rude remark.
Ed said nothing, but looked still into
the woods. as if hc were fascinated 10y
them.
''Tm tired, boys" announced Will,
''it's dark let's go to bed"
"All right" they agreed, and were
soon inside. fastening the curtains of
the tent The candle was lighted and
cots made up. Then the boys unpack-
ed their valiscs which held their
clothes The frs, thing which fell
from Wills was his Bible. He thrust
it back quickly, fearing the Blakes
would see it. He knew they wOnld
laugh ar the idea of reading it. He
wished his mother had not put it in
it was very well to read it alone in his
room, but it was impossible To do so
before those soothing boys. There was
no one but his conscience to tell him
he was coward for the conflict was
secret. He determined to say his pray
els: for he could do that in bed, where
the Blakes would not know it.
"Heno, parson," he heard Tom say
ing. Give us sermon, will you 7 on
cOwardice, for instance"
He turned quickly, afraid Tom had
noticed his Bible, aud saw Eddie sit
ting by the candle, reading from the
sacred book.
Il am not courageous" Eddie re-
turned. 81 know it is wrong, and !
am irving to overcome il, which | can
never do without the Lords help"
II told You" jeered Tom. Second
ly now"
''For shame" interposed Oscar. "lf
| believed in reading the Bible I'd do 1t
if thousand stood around, and cali
myself Il coward it | We're afraid of
laugh"
Even Tom said nothing when Ed
knelt down to pray.
Will was glad when the light was
out. and all were in bed. He would
pray and tomorrow read the Bible,
when no one saw him.
He had been ashamed of his own
Saviour before II few boys, and it al
most seemed as though He refused To
own him; for he could not pray. He
tried to ask forgiveness, but he knew,
though he was sorry for his SIN, he was
still afraid tn own Him.
A wild cry came from the woods at
that moment.
whats that ?" exclaimed Oscar
sleepily.
"Are orr curtains well fastened Z"
demanded Tom.
at sounded like some one in dis
tress," said Ed.
Help" came distinctly.
1--WE didn't come here to help people
in Distress" yawned Tom.
"Come boys" called Ed, jumping up.
Not | :" returned Tom. ''YOu don't
know what trouble you'll get into
Ed had lighted the candle and was
dressing. Oscar was up too. Will sat
on the edge of his cot.
"They may be murderers," muttered
Tom.
No one reminded him that he had
said he was not afraid to go into the
woods at midnight.
Oscar and Ed ran out as the cries
continued. Lets go back Tomorrow"
Tom said to viii.
Will did not reply; as he sat still on
his cot he despised himself; he was ii
coward in every way. Suddenly he
knelt.
Tom sat up in bed and looked at
him.
"What is it r. he asked when WIN
arose.
a. am going with them. began to-
night 10y being afraid of your laugh,
and was ending 10y fear of the dark.
My cowarlice days are over"
mo cOwardice about it it's danger
Gus"
Then / go as Ed does, with the
Lord To take care of me, and he ran
out.
He met Oscar and Ed returning with
AN old woman and little girl who had
lost their way.
Il say. WILL" Oscar said to him the
next day, when they We're alone, Il
would never have dared To go last
night. but | was ashamed before Ed to
refused. had Dragged that | had no
fear. and lac said lie was afraid. Wasn't
ne brave! had an idea that it was
the Bible reading and praying that
helped him. | believe there is some
thing in it if it will help boy that
way. Let's try"
at was true Christian courage" re-
turned Will. "and without it | know
as | never did before, that no boy can
be brave. | have Bible in my valise,
Oscar, and was afraid if | read it be-
fore you boys you would laugh"
Oscar, come here" called Tom from
from distance.
Will sat alone. thinking of how Ed
had glorified his Saviour, instead of
being ashamed of Him, and of how he
himself did not have the courage 10
confess Him; how Eds courage had
turned careless comrade to repent
ance, and his own cowardice would
have kept the same comrade, If it had
been known, from the Lord. VIII
wept; but they were brave tears of
real repentance. From that day 10
this, and he is man now, he has never
been afraid to own his Saviour before